Dezeen Magazine

The Heart of Architecture by Giles Miller Studio

Clerkenwell Design Week 2013: Giles Miller's London design studio has positioned a target of reflective pixels in front of a medieval gate for this year's Clerkenwell Design Week, which kicks off in London today (+ slideshow).

The Heart of Architecture by Giles Miller Studio

Giles Miller Studio designed a single, curved pixel element and collaborated with metal manufacturers Tecan to create 2433 stainless steel and etched brass pieces for its exterior.

The Heart of Architecture by Giles Miller Studio

The metal pixels are arranged at angles over the curved surface, forming patterns that change according to light conditions.

The Heart of Architecture by Giles Miller Studio

"We wanted to celebrate Clerkenwell as an architectural hub," Giles Miller told Dezeen, "the target shape stamps the district on the map."

The Heart of Architecture by Giles Miller Studio

A bullseye of brass panels sits in the centre of the glimmering structure, placed in front of a stone gate that was once part of St John's monastery. "St John's Gate is very iconic," said Miller. "We enjoyed the contrast of what we do against the old brick."

The Heart of Architecture by Giles Miller Studio

The installation in the central London district is Giles Miller Studio's latest iteration of imagery created by pixellated or reflective surfaces. For last year's Clerkenwell Design Week, the designers created an archway from 20,000 wooden hexagons at the entrance to the Farmiloe Building and designed a bar for a former petrol station the year before.

The Heart of Architecture by Giles Miller Studio

This year's event continues until Thursday 23 May. Find out who is exhibiting here or register to attend here.

The Heart of Architecture by Giles Miller Studio

Dezeen Watch Store also has a pop-up shop in the Farmiloe Building at Clerkenwell Design Week, where we are presenting a selection of our latest and best-selling watches - more details here.

The Heart of Architecture by Giles Miller Studio

Photography is by Jon Meade.

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Giles Miller Studio sent us the following information:


Giles Miller Studio and Tecan present The Heart of Architecture, Clerkenwell 2013

Critically acclaimed Giles Miller Studio is delighted to team up with British precision metal fabricators Tecan, in presenting ‘The Heart of Architecture’. This innovative installation has been constructed at the iconic Saint Johns Gate as a part of this year's Clerkenwell Design Week.

The Heart of Architecture by Giles Miller Studio

London’s Clerkenwell boasts the highest number of architects per square mile in Europe. The ‘Heart of Architecture’ consists of a giant sculptural target built to stamp Clerkenwell and its inhabitants on the world stage, and to represent this thriving area as the creative core of the British Architectural and Interior design world.

The Heart of Architecture by Giles Miller Studio

Giles Miller Studio has created this unique installation alongside Tecan, a precision metal manufacturer based in Dorset, who'se intricate and specialist manufacturing process has generated the latest in the studio's range of reflective surface systems.

The Heart of Architecture by Giles Miller Studio

Featuring Giles Miller’s signature technique of manipulating light and shadow to show intriguing imagery, the installation has been formed from thousands of systematically hand laid stainless steel and brass ‘pixels’. By angling the specifically designed elongated pixels at opposing angles the surface of the installation will become an observation of light and shade, reflecting and bouncing light patterns in a celebration of its historic yet creatively progressive surroundings.