| Description:
The Carlow Northern Relief Road project involved landscape
design of the spaces along the roadway including the verges,
embankments and roundabouts. The main elements of the
scheme were enhancements to roundabouts and avenue tree
and shrub planting along the route.
The most interesting section of the scheme is at the main
Carlow roundabout on the Dublin Road. This area was designated
as a site for a piece of sculpture. Following a selection
process, internationally renowned sculptor Michael Warren
designed a piece in stainless steel inspired by Carlow
Castle. Murray & Associates designed the setting for
the sculpture which involved the creation of a terraced
embankment with textural planting of grasses and bulbs.
This scheme was echoed in the surrounding spaces through
repetition of planting materials.
In 2000, the scheme received an award from the Association
of Landscape Contractors of Ireland, in the Public Authority
category.
Sculpture by Michael Warren
The sculpture is a 6-metre high, 3-D grid structure made
from square section, stainless steel. The finish is non-reflective,
the steel being sand-blasted, acid etched and stabilised.
It is designed to proportionally suggest the robust form
of a square Norman tower. In addition to its tower-like
appearance, the grid is evocative of a portcullis. The
tower-portcullis structure is designed to work in the
round: no two views from around the sculpture island are
the same.
The impression of a square format (there are no actual
squares), is designed to frame (as opposed to block/obstruct),
the views across the island, its geometry acting as counterfoil
to trees and natural form.
It may be noted that, with the exception of one anchor
vertical, all the verticals comprising the structure are
curved giving the work lyrical dynamic. The top is deliberately
“open” to allow the sculpture to read as a
continuum or endless column. Aesthetically the work is
paradoxical: it conveys rigour and presence, while literally
remaining an open structure.
Though the sculpture evokes entrance-related associations
drawn from Carlow’s Norman past, it is constructed
using a very sophisticated, modern, material.
Landscape by Murray & Associates
The sculpture is positioned in a prominent space adjacent
to the main entrance from the Dublin Road into Carlow
town. The entire area surrounding the sculpture island
was treated as one unit, linking these areas visually
or symbolically to form a legible landscape setting for
the sculpture.
On the sculpture island, the design concept sets the
sculpture on the highest of a series of grassed terraces,
which complements the form of the sculpture. The terraces
evoke the defensive position of a Norman tower house.
The lowest of these terraces is edged by a retaining wall
and a thick, thorn hedge of Holly (Ilex aquifolium). Three
Horse Chestnut trees (Aesculus hippocastanum) punctuate
the concentric terraces. This tree species is described
as naturalised as it was introduced to Ireland by the
Normans in the 12th century.
The sculpture, attached to concrete foundation pads,
is placed on the axis of the road leading to Carlow town
centre. Adjacent to the sculpture base, granite boulders
randomly break the ground surface. Red and yellow plants
sweep in wide bands across the upper terraces. The planting,
besides their bright, heraldic reference, do of course,
with the green of the grass, comprise the Carlow colours.
The roundabout and surrounding areas were designed to
link in with the overall concept. Use of identical materials
including Horse Chestnut trees, granite boulders and swathes
of red and yellow plants echo the treatment of the main
island.
The landscape and sculpture form a dramatic feature at
the entrance to the town of Carlow and signify Carlow's
past.
|
