Zize developers, Brighton Hove City Council and Kings Education announced that Alter & Company were the winners of the level park national arts commission. The characteristic elm trees that surround the park and the entrance provide shade and an intimate dappled atmosphere. Their presence deeply informed the design of our proposal, the ‘happenstance archway’. The idea of reflecting the shape of the overhanging trees at the entrance is that of an organic archway growing out from the existing elements of the park. It is a place to pause and from which you can observe your surroundings. As you look closer the metal perforations make up names and faces of historical figures that have importance to the level and Brighton, enabling two time periods to exist simultaneously; the present and past. The perforations in the metal let dappled light in and an elusive play between light and shadows create an alluring quality with a strong sense of place and identity.

What was the brief?

The project brief was a National Design competition run by Brighton Hove City Council and Kings Education. The competition was organised to commission an attractive archway suitable for pedestrian access to the south end of The Level Park.

How is the project unique?

The Happenstance (which means a chance meeting or event) is made from mirrored stainless steel and reflects its surroundings and the people passing by.
But look more closely and you’ll see names and faces of historical figures that have importance to The Level and Brighton and Hove emerging from the metal perforations. The images were chosen following widespread consultation with park users.

What were the key challenges?

To create a site-specific piece of public art.

What were the solutions?

The solution was to design and build an original and site-specific sculpture that communicates to the community of Brighton through a reflective sculptural archway shelter. The structure has been designed to embed the vast amount of history and memories collected of Brighton’s Level Park over the past 300 years into a beautiful piece of interactive art that becomes a multi-faceted narrative. The characteristic trees that surround the park and the entrance provide shade and an intimate dappled atmosphere. Their presence deeply informed the design of our proposal, the ‘Happenstance Archway’. The idea of reflecting the shape of the overhanging trees at the entrance is that of an organic archway growing out from the existing elements of the park.

What are the sustainability features?

The project incorporates sustainability through the material choice, polished stainless steel. The sustainable nature of this project; firstly the weather – a material that can stand up to the saline sea air conditions, secondly a durable public material that stands up to gratify and other public damage, and finally low maintenance self reliant structure.