Elmbridge Borough Council has commissioned artist Stuart Melrose to produce a new public art installation at the Walton Court Gardens development. The modern scheme is a joint venture by developer Crest Nicholson and housing association A2Dominion and is located on the former Birdseye headquarters site, a site rich in local history.
Public art project background
Frozen food giant Birdseye had its headquarters built in Walton in 1963. The building was at the forefront of the modern architecture of the time with its crisp geometric forms and silver-blue colours. It included two internal courtyards, one of which contained concrete menhirs by the Scottish born artist sculptor Alan Collins arranged around rectangular pools that featured live penguins, flamingos and an alligator.
A standalone metal sculpture depicting rising birds by the artist John McCarthy stood next to a pool at the entrance. In 2000, a memorial was established on the site for Flight Sergeant Charles Sydney who was killed on 27 September 1940 when his Spitfire was shot down in the Battle of Britain and crashed at the west end of Station Avenue, a stone’s throw from Birdseye’s location.
The Birdseye building stood empty from 2007 until the land was bought for redevelopment. The council oversaw the planning approval process for the site.
A new central public art piece for the new Walton Court Gardens development
While building the new site, Crest Nicholson and A2Dominion decided to complement the centre of the new development with a permanent work of public art which they agreed to fund in its entirety. The council facilitated the project.
As the original building was such a valued local landmark in Walton, it was decided that it would be fitting for the new public art installation to reflect the heritage of the original site as well as the poignant historical link with the Sydney War Memorial.
Artist Stuart Melrose closely met the requirements laid out in the comprehensive brief for this project. He respected our wish to celebrate the Birdseye legacy and commemorate the important historical link with the war memorial.
Stuart has a wide range of experience of executing similar permanent commissions, such as The Armoured Heart sculpture in Reading, made in part from knife blades handed in to knife amnesty bins across Reading and the Thames Valley. Stuart has also made pieces for shows including Grand Designs, Chelsea Flower Show and for Disney, Microsoft, BAA, Hampshire Borough Council and many other clients over the years.
Artist Stuart Melrose said: “I loved this project because there was a great story and background to explore. I found the idea of Birdseye keeping penguins, flamingos, and an alligator in the building courtyard to produce a good vibe for the staff just so crazy and engaging.
"I also wanted to pay homage to Flight Sergeant Charles Sydney and give a nod to the modern look and geometry in the old and new buildings. In my research, I found the strong connection to birds and flights compelling and came up with the concept of a double meaning sculpture where visitors brain would have to flip from one object to another."
Councillor Simon Waugh, Portfolio Holder for Leisure, Culture and Commercial Strategy, said: “We were thoroughly impressed by Stuart’s submission. We thought, that in addition to being original in its concept, his proposed installation reflected the local heritage of the site, was respectful of the war memorial while also paying a whimsical homage to the original building.
“In addition, we had to take into consideration practical aspects such as on-going maintenance. We hope residents and the whole community will enjoy this new piece of public art.”
Nick Hutchings, Executive Director (Commercial) at A2Dominion, who was involved in the selection process, said: “The proposal really pays tribute to the rich history of the local area and we hope this is something our residents and the local community will be proud of. We cannot wait for the public art to be completed next year.”
About the Walton Court Gardens development
Walton Court Gardens is a modern development built on the foundations of the iconic Birdseye offices in Surrey. The scheme is a joint venture by housing association A2Dominion and developer Crest Nicholson, and comprises of more than 370 units of accommodation, including one, two and three-bedroom apartments. Residents have access to landscaped gardens, onsite parking bays and communal bike storage facilities.
Next steps
We will keep you updated while the work progresses on the artwork. Installation will take place in spring 2024.
For further information about Stuart’s work, please visit his website or email arts@elmbridge.gov.uk.