AS part of Taylor Wimpey’s Spencer Fields development in Inverkeithing, the housebuilder is providing Percent for Art in the form of feature walls with forged steel railings and panels at key points across the site.
Working with its artist blacksmiths at Ratho Byres Forge and the art department at Inverkeithing High School, Taylor Wimpey East Scotland asked S3 students to design feature panels for the railings.
Ten winners were selected, and they recently got to see how the team at Ratho Byres Forge is bringing their feature panel designs to life.
Students were given the theme ‘Inverkeithing’ and challenged to be inspired by its location, wildlife and nature, people, history, local heritage, and Spencerfield House.
Pauline Mills, technical director for Taylor Wimpey East Scotland, said, “These unique pieces of art reflect the student’s inspiration from their local area and showcase their brilliant talent for art. The visit to the forge was an incredible opportunity for the students to see the process of their designs being brought to life, as well as the craftsmanship involved, and we are delighted by their reaction to seeing their 2-D drawings transformed into 3-D forged steel. We’re very proud of this project and look forward to all ten feature panels being completed and installed later this year at the development.”
Lois Wiseman, art teacher at Inverkeithing High, added, “Our students have learned so much from this opportunity with Taylor Wimpey East Scotland. Having their designs recreated as part of a live design project is very special, so it was incredible to see their reaction when they saw the progress that Pete, Shona, and the rest of the team at the forge have made on their designs. We can’t wait to see them installed at the development opposite our school.”
Pete Hill, artist blacksmith at the Ratho Byres Forge, commented, “This has been a great project to be part of, and we’re enjoying bringing the students’ designs to life. Over the next few months, we will complete all ten feature panels before installing them at the development later this year. The designs are rich in detail, and combined, they reflect the collective brief that we gave the students to capture the many aspects of local life in Inverkeithing.”
