London wanted to show itself in the best possible light for the 2012 Olympic Games. Deteriorating neighborhoods were revitalized and roads were upgraded. They had to be both functionally prepared for millions of visitors and given a contemporary look. The route from Stratford Station to the Olympic Park underwent a complete transformation and gained a striking focal point: The Shoal.
A work of art, designed by Studio Egret West and commissioned by the London Borough of Newham, that depicts clouds and trees. “The Shoal” refers to a school of fish moving through the water together. The elements move subtly with the wind and continuously create reflections of light and color. The artwork looks different at every moment of the day.
Custom Titanium in Motion
Sorba was responsible for the engineering, production, assembly, and installation of the anodized titanium cladding on the elements. The artwork consists of 73 leaves that float up to 17 meters above street level. The leaves are finished in 42 different colors: ranging from fresh spring green to shades of gold and orange.
Titanium is known for its low weight and high strength, and is also corrosion-resistant. During the anodizing process, the various color tones are created through an electrochemical process using different voltages. The titanium is then coated with a protective PVC film.
The elements are constructed from two separate shells of 4mm-thick polyester. The titanium strips are glued onto these. To transport the leaves to London, Sorba developed special pallets on which the leaves could be transported safely in an upright position. During installation, these pallets also served as work platforms.
Smart Prefabricated Assembly in the Heart of London
By fully prefabricating the components at Sorba in Winterswijk, the on-site assembly time was significantly reduced. In London, the components were hoisted into place using cranes and then secured to the steel structure by the installers working from their aerial work platforms.
The result is a work of art that brings together engineering, architecture, and art. After the Olympic Games, it remained in place and has become a recognizable part of Stratford.
