Mixed use commercial development – ORMS Architects , London. 2011
After visiting the site of the new developement , it was evident that the building occupying the main part of the site on Wigmore street which was to be demolished, was relatively modern, built in the 1960’s or 70’s. The fact that the present building would disappear without trace after only forty or fifty years, demonstrates the speed at which the history of contemporary cities, especially London, is written, erased and re-written.

The segments of the pattern on the surface of the panels make up an entire circle and are laid out as if it has been broken and the fragments re-assembled in a random order . It is a reference to archaeology, ( with a nod in the direction of the Wallace collection) and the cyclical nature of architecture – the idea that buildings are constructed on the ruins of others and certainly in the past, often incorporated the rubble. The patterned circle is reminiscent of a large decorative window but the pattern itself is derived from a mathematical tiling formula which is in keeping with the rigorous geometry of the new building.(This pattern was later modified) The pattern was to be cast into the surface of the panels to the maximum depth allowable, 20 – 25 mm and relied on the shadows created for definition. This varied depending on the amount of sunlight, either direct or indirect, rangeing from clearly visible , dark lines, to pale , subtle or even ghostly. This gave added interest to the scheme, as it would not always have been apparent to the passer-by. Anyone passing on a more frequent or regular basis who’s curiosity was raised, may then have come to realize that the elements of the pattern could actually be joined together, re-constituting the circle and solving the puzzle.

This project was cancelled by the developers before commencement.