Adam Nathaniel Furman’s ‘Abundance’ brings colours of the British garden to Paddington
Adam Nathaniel Furman’s ‘Abundance’ installation London’s Paddington is conceived as an abstracted, ‘frozen garden’ that mesmerises
'Abundance is 'a frozen garden' in which the colours of a British garden in high spring are abstracted and turned into a crafted human-made artistic intervention that can be enjoyed all year long, in all weather conditions,' explains award-winning artist and designer Adam Nathaniel Furman. They are referring to their latest installation, a brightly, very carefully planned installation which has just been unveiled in London's Paddington.
On display in the revamped Amphitheatre area in Paddington Central’s Sheldon Square, the piece of public art certainly draws the eye and brings on a smile. No wonder it's already been gaining fans: 'Just spending time next to the work and seeing how the public interact with it, it is empirically clear that people are drawn to it, immensely enjoying it. It has already become a focus of local affection.'
Adam Nathaniel Furman's 'Abundance': a burst of colour in urban public space
Furman was born in St Mary’s Hospital adjacent to the Paddington station campus, so the whole area is very close to their heart. The aim was to create a piece that brings colour and vibrancy to the neighbourhood's public spaces, ensuring there are plenty of accessible, purpose-built areas for the public to rest, gather, and relax – addressed to both locals and the capital's many tourists alike.
Abundance certainly does that, offering a welcoming burst of colour that unfolds in a strategic way across the square. Furman employed their extensive experience in using light, colour and texture to craft a design that is truly site-specific.
'Up close, the design is intended to create an immersive colour environment that is constantly transforming itself as you move along it, both because of the various colours arranged in such a way that they change in visibility as you pass, but also because of the level of gloss in the finish that incorporates the reflected context and daylight conditions, adding extra layers of richness to the experience,' Furman explains.
'From further away the work embeds an unapologetically layered and rich aesthetic element into a very corporate environment that was previously dominated by the grey-brown colour of stone and cementitious panels and the green-blue colour of large-pane-glass curtain-wall cladding,' Furman continues.
'A big part, other than the artwork, of the transformation of Sheldon Square was the introduction of more varied plants. It is not rocket science and it was pretty widely understood by urban planners up until recently (and it is once again being slowly rediscovered) that the inclusion of planting, natural elements, as well as crafted, artistic features in our urban realm is vitally important to making our cities feel more welcoming and enjoyable.'
Wallpaper* Newsletter
Receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox.
A key element in this public place's 21st-century transformation, the art piece is engaging and open to all to enjoy – just a stone's throw from Paddington Station and the adjacent canal route.
Ellie Stathaki is the Architecture & Environment Director at Wallpaper*. She trained as an architect at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki in Greece and studied architectural history at the Bartlett in London. Now an established journalist, she has been a member of the Wallpaper* team since 2006, visiting buildings across the globe and interviewing leading architects such as Tadao Ando and Rem Koolhaas. Ellie has also taken part in judging panels, moderated events, curated shows and contributed in books, such as The Contemporary House (Thames & Hudson, 2018), Glenn Sestig Architecture Diary (2020) and House London (2022).
-
Ora-ïto transforms the Renault 17 into a futuristic yet retro-tinged vision
The R17 electric restomod x Ora-ïto is the fourth in Renault's series of designer-led reimaginings of iconic models from its past. We think it's the best of the lot
By Jonathan Bell Published
-
First Look: a domestic idyll by Lucy Stark and Fabien Cappello at the Blunk Space
Inspired by the life and times at JB Blunk's haven of a house in Inverness, a new exhibition of paintings and objects has us dreaming of California
By Hugo Macdonald Published
-
Food writer, Tamar Adler on her perfect restaurant experience
Guest editor Laila Gohar has asked friends and creatives to share their perfect restaurant experience. Here, chef and food writer, Tamar Adler recounts a momentous meal for a happy occasion
By Charlotte Gunn Published
-
Thames Distillers raises our spirits with its new home and bar in London
Fords bar at Thames Distillers' new home is a future London classic, designed by Transit Studio; we raise a toast to the gin maker
By Ellie Stathaki Published
-
Wallpaper* Architects’ Directory 2024: meet the practices
In the Wallpaper* Architects Directory 2024, our latest guide to exciting, emerging practices from around the world, 20 young studios show off their projects and passion
By Ellie Stathaki Published
-
Beacon House’s pink extension brightens up a Victorian London home refresh
A pink extension in north London is part of the Beacon House project by Office S&M – the dramatic refresh of a Victorian home
By Ellie Stathaki Last updated
-
Brown Urbanism's little triangle house is an ingenious urban infill
Emerging UK studio Brown Urbanism is part of the Wallpaper* Architects’ Directory 2024
By Ellie Stathaki Published
-
Kasawoo's Greek red cabin retreat is perfect for minimalist escapes
The Wallpaper* Architects Directory 2024 welcomes Kasawoo, a young UK practice that draws on a new minimalist approach
By Ellie Stathaki Published
-
Tilde House brings a listed London home up to contemporary, sustainable standards
Tilde House by Neil Dusheiko Architects blends Victorian elegance, sustainability and contemporary flair in north London’s historic Canonbury area
By Léa Teuscher Published
-
A walk through The Brentford Project, a lesser-known west London neighbourhood
The Brentford Project in west London completes its first phase, offering modern residences, a wealth of public space and waterfront living
By Ellie Stathaki Published
-
This clever Camden house renovation brings light, space and zen
EBBA architects’ Camden house renovation and double-height extension transform life in a London terraced home
By Bridget Downing Published