A memorial for the centenary of the start of World War 1
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On 4th August 2014, 100 years after the start of World War 1, everyone in the UK was invited to take part in ‘Lights Out’, a nation-wide campaign to mark the centenary of the start of the Great War. By turning off their lights from 10pm to 11pm, whilst leaving on a single light or candle for a shared moment of reflection, the country was united in respect.
AR Design Studio was commissioned by Winchester City Council to design a light sculpture to commemorate the fallen across the Winchester district as part of Lights Out.
BOX 459 was erected and lit for the first time on 4th August 2014 in the shadow of Winchester
Cathedral, referencing the remark from Sir Edward Grey, Foreign Secretary, upon the eve of war in
1914:
“The lamps are going out all over Europe; we shall not see them lit again in our life-time.”
BOX 459 was inspired by the 459 fallen soldiers from the Winchester area. The team at AR Design Studio wanted the box to emit powerful shafts of light, when lit, to shine through 459 apertures representing the city’s lost generation. A further 43 coloured apertures represent the fallen heroes of the 43 parishes in the Winchester District.
Andy Ramus of AR Design Studio said:
”As we switched the lights on the fifteen hundred strong crowd that was gathered around BOX 459 fell quiet. Everyone stared intently at it in silence for a few minutes before a lone bugler played the Last Post. It was an incredibly special moment that really struck a powerful message. I’m honoured to have been asked by Winchester City Council to be involved with this truly remarkable occasion.”
BOX 459 symbolises the Armistice. AR Design Studio translated the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month via the cubes dimensions, 1100 x 1100 x 1100mm. The material used was Corten steel and was inspired by the industrial nature of modern warfare.
BOX 459 will be located in the grounds of Winchester Cathedral from 11th November 2014 and will stand as a tribute until 11th November 2018, 100 years after World War 1 ended.
AR Design Studio is an RIBA certified architects practice, based in Winchester, Hampshire, specialising in the delivery of elegant and imaginative contemporary new homes, extensions, renovations and multi-plot developments. AR Design Studio’s architectural expertise and flair has been continuously recognised by winning a number of prestigious industry awards such as the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) 2012 Downland Prize, Civic Trust Award, Best of Houzz Award, Federation of Master Builders Award and Daily Telegraph Small House of the Year Award. With a comprehensive knowledge of planning, AR Design Studio has built a stunning portfolio of completed residential projects. It is also a specialist designer of waterfront homes with a deep understanding of how to fully experience the light, sound and atmosphere water creates.
For further information contact info@ardesignstudio.co.uk
Photographer
©Andy Spain 2014
