Thomas Heatherwick - General Development - London EC4, Paternoster Square

Date: 21 Feb 2002

The redevelopment of Paternoster Square has taken a further step forward with the installation of two new innovative, 11 meter high, sculptural cooling vents, commissioned by Stanhope plc on behalf of Mitsubishi Estate Company Limited ("MEC"), the developer of Paternoster Square, from award winning designer Thomas Heatherwick.

The vents, which some people have likened to a giant pair of angel's wings, extend from a London Electricity substation and provide cooling for four subterranean electricity transformers. In addition to replacing a grey concrete vent, they provide a focus for Bishop's Court, which is at the western end of the development.

The design of the vents is based on isosceles triangles which when repeated and joined together, become a complex helical form. The design was evolved by Thomas Heatherwick, not on the drawing board, but by experimental folding of an A4 sheet of paper; they are actually constructed in a hard, stainless steel which has been blasted with tiny glass beads to create a satin finish; unique for objects of such a scale.

Christopher Joll, spokesman for MEC, said:

"An important part of the redevelopment proposals for Paternoster Square has been about reconnecting Paternoster Square with St Paul's Cathedral in particular and the City in general. Although the new installations were designed for a purely functional purpose, they form a bold link, in terms of both scale and concept, between the secular Paternoster Square and the religious icon that is St Paul's Cathedral."

Peter Rogers, Construction Director, Stanhope plc added:

"We were delighted when Mitsubishi agreed to commission the Thomas Heatherwick installation; the structures are a striking addition to public art in the City."

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