Created and Sold by Paul Siggins - The Mosaic Studio
Swan Walk Circular Mosaic Floor Inlay - Public Mosaics
Featured In Swan Walk, Horsham, United Kingdom
Starts at $75,000
In 1997 I was commissioned by Horsham Borough Council, Norwich Union & RGCM Construction Management to recreate a beautiful 32 sq.metre mosaic which had been a major feature in Swan Walk Centre, Horsham for over 20 years.
The original mosaic had deteriorated due to the sub-floor and would continue to deteriorate further. It could not be restored and Horsham Council faced a difficult decision - to remove the 20 year old mosaic entirely and to source a UK mosaicist able to faithfully recreate it.
It was clear from the outset recreating this huge and graceful mosaic was not without complications – indeed it presented many challenges. When I was awarded the commission, I accepted with pride and addressed the first challenges with relish.
We had to spend some time sourcing new ranges of mosaic. The original colour palette and size of tesserae were no longer available. With durability key in an area of high footfall it was a question of finding the colour range and tesserae most suited to recreating the mosaic accurately. Once the materials were approved the real work began.
Fixed to a huge, paper-faced template, every inch of mosaic was hand cut as daily, we recreated the mosaic section by section. Throughout the process we held regular, detailed consultations with the architect, RGCM Construction and Norwich Union. Firmly on schedule following many months dedicated solely to production, the newly completed mosaic was laid entirely to paper.
Adopting the ‘insertum’ method of cutting (using quarter, half and whole pieces of mosaic to create flowing, interlocking tesserae) we were able to retain the natural flow lines so evident in the original and so important in capturing the graceful nature of the mosaic.
Across the entire mosaic, there were 120 interlocking sections laid to paper. I supplied a replica hardboard template for the flooring contractors as they completed surrounding flooring leaving only the mosaic area free.
With just 3mm tolerance across the 6.5m diameter of the mosaic – accuracy was vital at the point of installation.
The mosaic took just 2 days and nights to install with little or no disruption to trading hours. It was with great pleasure following a year dedicated to creating this mosaic that we attended the formal unveiling in February 1998 by the Mayor and Horsham Councillors, with the local press in attendance.
The original mosaic had deteriorated due to the sub-floor and would continue to deteriorate further. It could not be restored and Horsham Council faced a difficult decision - to remove the 20 year old mosaic entirely and to source a UK mosaicist able to faithfully recreate it.
It was clear from the outset recreating this huge and graceful mosaic was not without complications – indeed it presented many challenges. When I was awarded the commission, I accepted with pride and addressed the first challenges with relish.
We had to spend some time sourcing new ranges of mosaic. The original colour palette and size of tesserae were no longer available. With durability key in an area of high footfall it was a question of finding the colour range and tesserae most suited to recreating the mosaic accurately. Once the materials were approved the real work began.
Fixed to a huge, paper-faced template, every inch of mosaic was hand cut as daily, we recreated the mosaic section by section. Throughout the process we held regular, detailed consultations with the architect, RGCM Construction and Norwich Union. Firmly on schedule following many months dedicated solely to production, the newly completed mosaic was laid entirely to paper.
Adopting the ‘insertum’ method of cutting (using quarter, half and whole pieces of mosaic to create flowing, interlocking tesserae) we were able to retain the natural flow lines so evident in the original and so important in capturing the graceful nature of the mosaic.
Across the entire mosaic, there were 120 interlocking sections laid to paper. I supplied a replica hardboard template for the flooring contractors as they completed surrounding flooring leaving only the mosaic area free.
With just 3mm tolerance across the 6.5m diameter of the mosaic – accuracy was vital at the point of installation.
The mosaic took just 2 days and nights to install with little or no disruption to trading hours. It was with great pleasure following a year dedicated to creating this mosaic that we attended the formal unveiling in February 1998 by the Mayor and Horsham Councillors, with the local press in attendance.
As with all our works prices are dependant on several factors, the material choice, complexity of design, location and scale.
Item Swan Walk Circular Mosaic Floor Inlay
Created by Paul Siggins - The Mosaic Studio
As seen in Swan Walk, Horsham, United Kingdom
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