Cinimod Studio, architecture and lighting design specialists, commissioned Litestructures to realise the next incarnation of their designs inspired by Itsu's butterfly motif. The original concept had already been brought to life as bright and animated sculptures across a number of its London outlets. The new brief challenged Litestructures' design and fabrication team to come up with something far more spectacular. The finished structure comprises a floating, twisting sculptural form that creates a striking - and very visible - presence within the cavernous Terminal 5 building.
Translating the idea into reality demanded some detailed work by Prolyte's Litestructures creative team. The brief required the design and fabrication of an organic single tube spine, of modular construction that, when assembled, forms a three-dimensionally curving tube attached to which are bespoke brackets, supporting 45 sets of butterfly wings. In order to illuminate the wings, an electricity supply runs through the 3" tubing to each of the brackets to which the wings are connected. Cinimod added the light emitting polycarbonate wings and incorporated a custom lighting system to complete the design.
A pre-build at Prolyte's facility in West Yorkshire ensured the structure could be assembled and installed on site in the tight two day timeframe designated. The inspiring three-dimensional sculpture Butterfly in Flight now soars 6m above the kiosk below.
Litestructures' participation in this project marks their fifth contribution to Heathrow's T5. Litestructures supplied British Airports Authority with retractable access and maintenance gantries for the terminal's opening; devised an innovative stand for the Best of the Best supercar competition, produced custom illuminated towers for HSBC and, most recently, delivered a brand experience structure to promote Sony's range of 3D TVs.
(Jim Evans)
