Project. Camden Markets carnival atmosphere famously attracts people from all walks of life and is popular with Goths and Punks who live and work alongside the more traditional antiques and clothing traders. Up to 150,000 visitors are attracted to this ancient and historic market area which is situated just away from the centre of London and is now home to many new nightclubs and restaurants. Due to increased visitor numbers the area has attracted substantial development funding and a sympathetic facelift is taking place. In an area where the unusual and bizarre is common place, it takes something visually striking to attract the passersby’s attention. This new canopy signposts the entrance to one of the newer restaurants which has opened up in a recently refurbished building.
Concept/Design. The virtue bestowed upon this unique SEFAR® Architecture TENARA® fabric material through its construction is the high translucency, up to 40%, and a blemish free consistency which ensures that under both natural and commercial ambient lighting conditions, the light striking the smooth curves of the fabric is diffused evenly lifting the whole structure and making it appear to fluoresce.
Construction. The twisted, eccentric steel framework which carries the fabric is pieced together from many irregular and compound curves making the geometry of each protruding frame unique. Needless to say the patterning of the fabric was a monumental task, and yet what has been achieved fits so comfortably. The installation, set as it is against a backdrop of muted coloured glass curtain walling set in steel grey frames promotes the fabric so that it appears to shine like a pearl unearthed in this most unlikely of habitats.
