YANCHEP; CRAFTED BY WATER
2024. Anodised aluminium. 36m L x .4m w x 1.3m H
DESIGNING A SENSE OF PLACE FOR YANCHEP
The client’s sense of place theme for the suit of artworks at Yanchep Train Station was pathways. I examined natural pathways shaped by underground waterways, stalactites and underground pathways through Yanchep Cave, the wind-sculpted dunes, and the (now wrecked) Schooner ship's path through the ocean, all contributing to Yanchep's distinctive landscape and identity. These water-based pathways and dramatic natural forms evoke the wildness and dynamic forces that have crafted the shapes of Yanchep's wetlands, lagoon, and caves over time.
Video courtesy of Metronet, featuring the design and construction process for the ceiling artwork for the Yanchep Train Station, Western Australia.
GENERATING FORM
I drew cross-sections of its key environmental elements, like sand dunes, ocean waves, and caves to understand Yanchep's forms. This revealed consistent curvilinear shapes throughout the landscape. The concept evolved to create a central spine with the surrounding hanging tubes at various lengths in a wave formation. It symbolises nature's forces interpreted as stalactites, ocean waves, the reef, or a snake among the Yandjip bulrush reeds at the lake.
The artwork reflects the dynamic and curvaceous forms of Yanchep's environment.
THE MAKING PROCESS
Forlano Design used Grasshopper parametric programming and Rhino CAD modelling to create a precise 3D model for fabricators. This model detailed tube diameters, spacing, and curvature, ensuring the final outcome matched the vision. The fabricator could then efficiently calculate material quantities, streamline shop drawing preparation, and expedite approval, with few design changes from concept to completion.