Completion of works on Burlington Gardens celebrated with site-specific installation
Scottish artist Max Boyla has transformed three traditional phone boxes into what he refers to as an "SOS beacon"
Installation by Max Boyla, photo by Publica
An extensive redesign on Burlington Gardens has seen the area transformed into a civic space, while reinforcing its setting as the centre of the London art world. To mark and celebrate the completion of the works, Scottish artist Max Boyla has transformed three traditional phone boxes into what he refers to as an "SOS beacon".
Designed by architect Giles Gilbert Scott and famously based on the proportions of Sir John Soane's tomb for his wife, these iconic boxes are set upon RA land, and as such, the institution felt it appropriate to offer them as a site for a contemporary student commission.
For Boyla’s work, each phone box has been repainted black, and inside, an individual neon letter has been installed – spelling ‘SOS’ from the street. Each letter is oversized and has been designed to look “claustrophobic” within its setting. They will flicker to replicate the morse code signal for SOS
"Originally adapted from the design of a tomb, the phone box has itself become a mausoleum of the past," said Boyla. "In a time when people struggle to talk, communicate or ask for help: often pleas fall on deaf ears."
"The installation operates like a sign or advertisement. It’s direct, yet illusive enough to be interpreted in a variety of ways. It’ll extend to those suffering problems induced or exacerbated by the pandemic, vocalising hope towards the general wellbeing of our society, economy, and frame of mind."
Commissioned in 2016, the redesign of Burlington Gardens has been completed to a vision and strategy produced by Publica in collaboration with transport consultants NRP. A multi-disciplinary team was assembled consisting of highway and urban designers, traffic and accessibility consultants and lighting specialists, working together to ensure its successful delivery.
Publica’s design reinforces the idea of civic space by facilitating the shared use of the street by pedestrians, cyclists, and vehicles. It also recognises the importance of the street for the Royal Academy of Arts by celebrating the building’s new entrance, while providing an inviting threshold to several local places in anticipation of the Elizabeth Line station opening at Hanover Square.
The design relates closely to the Royal Academy of Arts entrance and creates a suitable setting for the historic building through subtle and timeless design moves including the use of granite setts in the carriageway to enhance the sense of a shared space and unifying the setting of surrounding buildings. There is also new seating, upgraded lamp columns, additional greenery, and reinstated iconic features such as coal holes and telephone boxes.
"We are incredibly proud to see our design for Burlington Gardens come to fruition," said Lucy Musgrave, Publica’s founding director.
"Not only does it support the area during a time of considerable change, but it creates a new and hugely important public, civic space outside the Royal Academy, while providing an inviting threshold to several local places with recognised characters and continuing of Publica’s wider vision for East Mayfair, from Bond Street to Saville Row."
"Burlington Gardens used to be a place which was marred by intrusive and polluting traffic congestion, and inappropriate use of all the kerbs in the street for parking and servicing," added Cynthia Grant, Project Director at New West End Company.
"The street has now been transformed into a place for people to linger, and to appreciate the handsome Royal Academy building, the Burlington Arcade, and the splendid shops and restaurants which line the street."
Projects ⋅ October 2021
See more
Completion of works on Burlington Gardens celebrated with site-specific installation
Scottish artist Max Boyla has transformed three traditional phone boxes into what he refers to as an "SOS beacon"
Installation by Max Boyla, photo by Publica
An extensive redesign on Burlington Gardens has seen the area transformed into a civic space, while reinforcing its setting as the centre of the London art world. To mark and celebrate the completion of the works, Scottish artist Max Boyla has transformed three traditional phone boxes into what he refers to as an "SOS beacon".
Designed by architect Giles Gilbert Scott and famously based on the proportions of Sir John Soane's tomb for his wife, these iconic boxes are set upon RA land, and as such, the institution felt it appropriate to offer them as a site for a contemporary student commission.
For Boyla’s work, each phone box has been repainted black, and inside, an individual neon letter has been installed – spelling ‘SOS’ from the street. Each letter is oversized and has been designed to look “claustrophobic” within its setting. They will flicker to replicate the morse code signal for SOS
"Originally adapted from the design of a tomb, the phone box has itself become a mausoleum of the past," said Boyla. "In a time when people struggle to talk, communicate or ask for help: often pleas fall on deaf ears."
"The installation operates like a sign or advertisement. It’s direct, yet illusive enough to be interpreted in a variety of ways. It’ll extend to those suffering problems induced or exacerbated by the pandemic, vocalising hope towards the general wellbeing of our society, economy, and frame of mind."
Commissioned in 2016, the redesign of Burlington Gardens has been completed to a vision and strategy produced by Publica in collaboration with transport consultants NRP. A multi-disciplinary team was assembled consisting of highway and urban designers, traffic and accessibility consultants and lighting specialists, working together to ensure its successful delivery.
Publica’s design reinforces the idea of civic space by facilitating the shared use of the street by pedestrians, cyclists, and vehicles. It also recognises the importance of the street for the Royal Academy of Arts by celebrating the building’s new entrance, while providing an inviting threshold to several local places in anticipation of the Elizabeth Line station opening at Hanover Square.
The design relates closely to the Royal Academy of Arts entrance and creates a suitable setting for the historic building through subtle and timeless design moves including the use of granite setts in the carriageway to enhance the sense of a shared space and unifying the setting of surrounding buildings. There is also new seating, upgraded lamp columns, additional greenery, and reinstated iconic features such as coal holes and telephone boxes.
"We are incredibly proud to see our design for Burlington Gardens come to fruition," said Lucy Musgrave, Publica’s founding director.
"Not only does it support the area during a time of considerable change, but it creates a new and hugely important public, civic space outside the Royal Academy, while providing an inviting threshold to several local places with recognised characters and continuing of Publica’s wider vision for East Mayfair, from Bond Street to Saville Row."
"Burlington Gardens used to be a place which was marred by intrusive and polluting traffic congestion, and inappropriate use of all the kerbs in the street for parking and servicing," added Cynthia Grant, Project Director at New West End Company.
"The street has now been transformed into a place for people to linger, and to appreciate the handsome Royal Academy building, the Burlington Arcade, and the splendid shops and restaurants which line the street."
Projects ⋅ October 2021
See more