Stonefield Park Sculptural Gates | Environmental Design for the Public Realm

Created for South Lanarkshire Council for a public greenspace pedestrian route that required authorised vehicle access and needed to limit all other vehicle access while remaining visually open and welcoming to local residents and visitors. 

The gate design was inspired by tension suspension illusions that incorporated sculptural and industrial elements, designed to look like the minimal road bars were floating and held in place by chains. These two features of the design were inspired by the sea faring travels of David Livingstone, who’s birthplace museum is only a few meters away. Representing a steady mast and securing anchor these gate aimed to inspire trust, openness and a little bit of magic.

The permanently open position of the gates allows easy pedestrian and cyclist access whilst deterring unauthorised vehicle access thus preserving the greenspace for families and pets to use without concern. The height of the horizontal post was set low to encourage playfulness and interaction with children entering the park en route to the playground, integrating the gates into the leisure and joy of the local greenspace. 

The brushed finish of the gates created subtle reflections of the surrounding greenery and allowing for the gates to blend into the site whilst  light reflections meant that they remained visible enough to avoid being a hazard. The gates could pivot 180 degrees to create access the full width of the road, pivoting on a semi-sunken base that allowed for ease of maintenance and repair. 

The gateway design was inspired by the work of Sculptor Wendy Taylor who’s site specific public art, often abstract and seeks to communicate with public audiences at a large scale.