Considering the landscape – article for AHI
Considering the landscape is not always done by those of us who are involved in interpretation. It seems that as soon as the word interpretation is mentioned then so a brief is issued to produce xxx number of GRP interpretation panels! This is not interpretation but rather the erecting of street furniture, often in sensitive areas.
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Isle of Luing Interpretation
A couple of years ago I was commissioned to produce a range of interpretation panels for a remote Scottish Island off Mull. The panels included community engagement and consideration for a sensitive landscape.
Testimonial – Wren’s Nest
Everyone thinks that you have been very innovative in your response to the original brief. You have made us think about what we could do rather than reproduce our original thoughts and sell them back to us – if that makes sense?! We really think that this is your unique selling point, you genuinely put a lot of thought into how to meet the aims of the client and you make the client stop and think as well.
In this case, the creative process has resulted in some unique pieces of interpretation which although great, were not necessarily what we had originally envisaged. Most importantly we feel as though the end product is unique to Wren’s Nest and really does the site justice. We received and still are receiving some very positive comments about the installations. You have also already shown that are willing to provide ‘aftercare’ in terms of artwork, replacement discs and paints to help with maintenance.
The tight timescale obviously dominated everything to do with this project and to your great credit, you adhered to it rigidly.
Overall, we would all have no hesitation in recommending you for other work and I would like to work with you again on future projects should the opportunity arise.
Wren’s Nest Interpretation
The Brief
Wren’s Nest has many stories to tell – its geology, mining heritage and its biodiversity. As such, there are many different visitors to the site with many varied interests, in addition to the local community that use the NNR as a recreational resource.
A number of documents have been developed as part of the Heritage Lottery Fund project: Interpretation Strategy, Lifelong Learning Strategy and Audience Development Plan. These documents have identified a series of stories and themes for the NNR, which now need to be brought to life.
Haltwhistle Interpretation Panels
Differentia was appointed to design and produce interpretation materials for the Connecting People to the Past initiative. The project will complement other projects being carried out in Haltwhistle e.g. Town Improvement Scheme and the Haltwhistle Burn Interpretation Project to improve the physical appearance of Haltwhistle and provide better orientation and interpretative information. In addition it will help enhance the visitor experience and engender a sense of local pride in the heritage of the town.
The Sheep Fenke at Appin
The Sheep Fenke at Appin has been completed as part of the partnership between Sustrans and Scottish Natural Heritage.
Differentia Design came up with the concept of creating a natural and traditional structure that would be functional and beautiful. So, we used a common place artifact and turned its use to people rather than sheep.
It was important that the local connection was explored and the words carved on the slate discs inside the shelter were selected from poems written by the children of Strath of Appin Primary School as a result of two poetry and design workshops held there this year which were led by Isle of Luing poet Norman Bissell.
The Sheep Fenke itself was built by David Campbell Stonemason. Davie was key to the success of the Fenke as he was born and bred in Ballachulish and has family ties in Appin. So to say it was a labour of love for Davie would be an understatment. Davie took great pride in sourcing all the material locally.
Natural Stoneware Panels
We really like Lavastone and Natural Stoneware Panels. We also really like the company that produces them. Not only is is a natural material but it is also made by craftsmen. This stuff doesn’t just roll off a machine – each one is made by hand and there is genuine care behind its construction.
We have used Natural Stoneware very successfully in some very challenging locations including Oban in the West Coast of Scotland. The Stoneware Natural Interpretation panels come from France and are carefully handcrafted so each project is bespoke. Natural raw materials: lava stone used by Empreinte comes directly from quarries located in Volvic, on the slopes of former volcanoes in the Massif Central region of France. No pre-use transformation or preparatory chemical process is required.
Signage and Interpretation Guidance
Signage can be prepared for a number of different locations with different outputs necessary for each location. Some of the issues to consider are vandalism, salt and sea damage, high light (West Coast of Scotland), cattle damage (cattle licking salt of signs), development change, water and damp (marsh, river and coastal locations), sensitive historic locations, urban settings.
Each location should be matched with the most appropriate signage so it is important not be sold “off the shelf” solutions. We have provided some options below – but of course there are other solutions including bespoke solutions that can be added.
Gorebridge Tactile Outdoor Interpetation Panels
This project was completed last year and is now installed in the Gorebridge area of mid Lothian, Edinburgh.
The panels were produced by using zinc etched steel and have a raised surface in order for visually impaired people to be able to get an impression of the subject. The images were produced as line illustrations and a simple heritage trail was created linking the various interests of the site.
Big Tiles for Oban
The Oban Bay project has been on the go for around 3 years but finally funding was put in place last year and the whole job is now complete. The project involved putting together 7 panels and we chose Enamelled Stoneware for its hardwearing and quite simply gorgeous look. These panels will be going on the railings right on the sea front – so the hazards are sea, salt, wind, high intensity light, herring gull poo and frost.
