Corus ‘Fresh Flower’ takes to the streets for the London Festival of Architecture

24 Jun 2008

 Displaying bright yellow voluminous petals, Corus’ ‘Fresh Flower’ pavilion created its own sunshine at Princes Garden, Imperial College as part of the London Festival of Architecture (LFA) 2008.

Designed by award winning architects Tonkin Liu, supported by engineers Adams Kara Taylor and jointly commissioned by Corus and the LFA 2008, the joyful appearance of the ‘Fresh Flower’ pavilion is the ultimate expression of the 2008 Festival theme FRESH. This innovative structure, showcasing the creative possibilities of steel design, will move to fresh locations over the course of the Festival.

Matthew Teague, Senior Architect, Corus comments: “Corus was keen that its support for the Festival would act as a platform for the innovative use of steel to create a fresh perspective on temporary architecture. With just 14 weeks to move from design to the first installation on site, the ‘Fresh Flower’ required a highly focused collaboration process drawing on a full compliment of skill sets including architecture, engineering and construction. The benefit of this integrated working process is demonstrated by the final structure creating a spectacular venue that transforms public spaces as the Festival progresses to new hubs across London.”

The ‘Fresh Flower’ comprises 11 unfurling petals that rise off the ground, arching in an arrangement around a central stalk to create a sheltered space measuring a maximum 97m2 in which public performances and debates can be staged.

Visitors enter the pavilion via gaps between the petals that range in height from 2.7 to 4.3 metres, and can be reconfigured between Festival ‘Hubs’ to provide a different emphasis and focus depending on the event, location or weather. During the day the bright yellow petals will catch and glow with the sunlight and at night the lights positioned at the central stalk will illuminate the pavilion.

Ann Liu, Director Tonkin Liu comments: “We are delighted to see the pavilion in its first iteration, in a tranquil Kensington Garden, and look forward to its next blossoming that will showcase how diverse the London landscape is. We appreciate all of the hard work by Mike Smith Studio and Millimetre in the construction and fabrication of the Pavilion, people responded to its assembly and presence with great curiosity, all having different takes on what it was. For instance, residents had a picnic next to it and children tried to climb on the central trunk. It was as if the flower had been offered up to everyone for every interpretation, this open and adventurous spirit is very much part of the spirit of the Festival.”

The ‘Fresh Flower’ is on display at: Princes Garden Imperial College until 26 June. It will then be on available to see at:

• Greenwich Peninsula, path between the O2 Arena and Greenwich Central Park  (27 June – 03 July)
• Bedford Square, Bloomsbury (03-09 July)
• Other locations to be confirmed through 20 July, please check www.lfa2008.org for latest details.

Tonkin Liu, designers of the ‘Fresh Flower’, will be appearing in conversation at the LFA2008 at 3pm on Saturday 05 July at Bedford Square.