Raison D'être

‘Raison D’être’ (Reason for Being) for Southgate Shopping Centre, Bath, is currently in its third phase of development, and continues my interest in sites, in this case in terms of history, traditions and culture. This proposal was developed through a research period in Bath, visiting places of historical interests and discussions with local people and other professionals involved in the Southgate project, to discover what is special to them about Southgate and Bath in general.

What interested me the most in 'Raison D'être' was the history of Bath being regarded as a sacred place since ancient times, the hot springs being the focal point for legend, pilgrimage, worship, healing, enjoyment and commercial activity for thousands of years.

The proposed work, ‘Raison D’être’, is influenced by the Bath Abbey fan vaulting (which was designed by Robert and William Vertue and reconstruction (c.1860) by George Gilbert Scott) and the history of theatre and fashion of Bath. For "Raison D’être" 12,000 petal shapes, each 20cm x 10cm are made out of specially designed stainless steel woven cloth. The petals are then joined together using steel strips that will also create an edge to be gilded with 23.5 ct gold leaf. The structures will be positioned within the two arched bridges (four per archway) and will create an intriguing and beautiful canopy.