Sheffield stone planters

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The sculptural planters in Tudor Square, Sheffield (Spring 2010)

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Tudor Square is at the cultural and visitor heart of Sheffield, UK. In spring 2010, Tudor Square re-opened to the public following major refurbishment. Seating had been integrated into raised planter beds created in natural stone, containing floral displays, trees and grass.

These sculptural planters were designed by the artist Stephen Broadbent, who used as his inspiration the industrial and natural environment of Sheffield. Based in part on natural pebbles and boulders, the highly organic designs were initially hand-made in plaster by Stephen at one tenth the size of the final sculptures. Using 3D laser scanning, we produced highly accurate computer models of the small scale sculptures (maquettes).

These 3D digital models were scaled-up to produce full size datasets which were then used to produce the sculptural planters in natural sandstone. Working closely with Sheffield City Council and Stephen Broadbent, we further modified the digital data to add additional sections and refine the virtual designs. Precise seating areas and bespoke internal structures were created before the digital models were split into sections of suitable size for production by Computer Numerically Controlled (CNC) machining by Myers Group in Huddersfield.

In total, using the re-modelled data sets created by 3D laser scanning, 173 individual planter sections were machined into sandstone blocks weighing up to three and a half tonnes each. Once installed on-site, these blocks created ten planters which range in size from 3 metres to over 10 metres in diameter. The planters, now complete with seating and landscaping, have been installed between the Crucible Theatre and the Winter Gardens in Tudor Square and are receiving a great response from the residents of Sheffield.

See a video of the process below.

Acknowledgements

• Sheffield City Council
• Stephen Broadbent