Grey to Green 2 Public Art Brief page 1

GREY TO GREEN Phase 2

Public Art

Artists Brief November 2019

Sheffield’s streets transformed from Grey to Green in Phase 1

Grey to Green 2 Public Art Brief page 2

1.0 INTRODUCTION

This brief outlines an artist’s commission for artwork as an integral part of an

innovative and award winning scheme that is changing Sheffield’s grey streets to

green footpaths and cycleways and, in so doing, addressing issues of climate

change and the future role of the city centre.

The commission is for series of artworks that increase and enhance biodiversity in

the area in an exciting sculptural way. Sculptural bug hotels and nesting boxes

made from permanent materials appropriate for the city centre – an exciting

challenge and something that we do not think has been done before.

This commission is widely advertised and we are asking artists to put forward their

approach to the project through the YORTender Portal. The total budget available

for this commission is £18,000 to include all fees and costs related to the project.

Individual artists or teams of artists may apply

Over recent years Public Art in Sheffield has added creativity and high quality

design, craft skills and materials to buildings and public spaces helping to make

places that are owned and cherished by local people. This commission seeks to

continue this approach and, at the same time, provide an essential function for a

sustainable future.

Grey to Green 2 Public Art Brief page 3

Views of Phase 1

Grey to Green 2 Public Art Brief page 4

Grey to Green 2 is transforming the streets from Lady’s Bridge to Park Square

Roundabout

2.0 GREY TO GREEN

2.1 Grey to Green Phase 1 and 2

Funded by the European Union Regional Development Fund and Sheffield City

Region Grey to Green has transformed the streets around West Bar and is now

transforming the Castlegate area of the city. By reducing the traffic lanes the Council

has created new footpath and cycleways and innovative sustainable urban drainage

with beautiful planting. The SUDs beds serve to contain and slow the passage of

surface water into the waterways and have already proved to have a significant

effect on downstream flooding. The beds are planted with indigenous wildflowers

and prairie type planting creating a stunning all year round display which needs little

maintenance.

Phase 1 is recognised internationally as an exciting, innovative and cost effective

approach to climate change and the future role of the city centre and has won a

number prestigious awards.

2.2 Public Art in Phase 1

As well as providing foot and cycle routes an important part of the scheme is to

create places for people to dwell on their journeys, as a break from work and at

Grey to Green 2 Public Art Brief page 5

lunchtime. Since its completion there has been a very significant increase in people

on the street and over time this will bring cafes, sandwich shops etc.. We therefore

included large amounts of seating and matching public art ‘totems’ which are

coloured to create a series of identifiable spaces. The same design of seat and the

totems will be used in Phase 2.

In Phase 1 the panels for the five totems were created by five artists working

together within material themes and themes that reflect the history of the area. Each

totem has a combination of materials: stone, metal, reflections and graphics. And

the artists contributed work based on a specific theme for each totem relating to the

history of the area: Music Hall, Characters, Water, Brewing and Industry.

2.4 The Totems in Phase 2

In Phase 2 we will use the same basic totem design but are taking a different

approach to the panels giving the totems more of a functional role in increasing bio-

diversity and supporting local activity.

2.4.1 Colours

We are looking to keep the colours for both the totems and seating within a range of

oranges for this phase rather the different colours in Phase 1. In Phase 1 we wanted

to create a series of spaces with distinct characters – here, in Phase 2, whilst each

totem and its associated seating will have a colour, we want to create more of a flow

of spaces.

2.4.2 Display Cases

Each totem will have a display case which will be managed by Yorkshire Art Space

to promote artists from Exchange Place Studios which has a significant frontage to

the new scheme.

The work within the cases will include artist and craftwork work, more conceptual

artworks and could include (non-valuable) elements from the Castle archaeological

dig. The displays will change forming a shop window for Exchange Place Studios

and other artists and engaging visitors in the vibrant creative scene that is becoming

an important part of Castlegate.

Grey to Green 2 Public Art Brief page 6

2.4.1 Bug hotels, habitat panels –

this commission

The remaining panels, the subject

of this commission, will function to

increase bio-diversity creating

habitats for invertebrates, small

mammals and birds. This

commission is therefore an

opportunity for an artist, or team of

artists, to create sculptural bug

hotels and nesting boxes.

3.0 THE ARTIST’S WORK

The artist commission is to provide sculptural panels for four boxes in each of four

totems: sixteen boxes, each with two sides equalling thirty-two panels.

The functional and practical requirements of the artwork are described below but

above all we are looking for work that is unique and creative, is high quality craft

work that exploits materials and the processes of making, is engaging and tactile

and accessible to and enjoyed, owned and cherished by all.

Grey to Green 2 Public Art Brief page 7

3.1 The Habitats

We are asking the artist to research the potential for different species and how best

to provide suitable habitats. Ecus Environmental Consultants are advising us on bio-

diversity throughout the scheme and are happy to give advice.

The totems are positioned on the edges of the planting beds and against the footway

and the different angles of the boxes mean that they have a variety of aspects.

The location and nature of the totems means that these bug hotels cannot be piles of

sticks and organic material but must have a more civic appearance, be permanent

and require little maintenance. We also want them to be visually interesting and

exciting sculpturally. The commission is therefore breaking new ground, doing

something that we don’t think has been done before and setting an exciting

precedent.

3.2 Interpretation

In an unobvious way we want to make it obvious how these sculptures are

functioning to increase biodiversity. This might be a low relief carved bird or bee but

we are hoping for something less direct but equally appealing. People have seen

and understand how piles of rotting twigs offer homes to bugs – how can we do this

in a civic sort of way?

The bug hotels may not take up the whole of each or every panel and there is also

the rich history of the area, the castle, the river, the canal etc. as well as current uses

which might offer inspiration and themes for the work.

There is the opportunity for QR codes or similar to link to further information although

we appreciate that the budget is limited.

3.3 Materials

The habitats should not experience extremes of temperature so metal is not

appropriate for their construction. There are a number of commercially available bug

hotels and bird nesting boxes made from ‘woodcrete’ – concrete made with wood or

other organic fibres – and this would seem an appropriate material.

We are open to other suggestions of materials – ceramic, stone, durable timber etc

or a mix. We are also open to different production techniques – we would be happy

to see repeated cast or machined elements for instance as a way of maximising the

budget.

The key criteria are suitability for the bugs and birds and suitability for the public

realm – durable, low maintenance, weather and vandal resistant and safe.

Grey to Green 2 Public Art Brief page 8

All artworks should conform to the regulations and requirements and must be robust,

without finger and head traps etc. and meet Health & Safety guidelines (BS EN 1176

is an appropriate guide).

3.4 Sizes and fixing

The sizes of the panels are given in the table below. Each box has two sides

making 32 panels. In Phase 1 one side to each box was an engraved and coloured

graphic design etched on stainless steel – we are happy to look at this approach

again but would rather see a sculptural bug hotel panel in both sides.

The panels should have a nominal thickness of 50mm and be attached to the

structural web of the box which is set back 75 from the front face as the sketch

below. It is envisaged that, as in Phase 1, the panels will be glued to the structural

web and sealed with appropriate mastic.

Grey to Green 2 Public Art Brief page 9

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plinth 100 n/a

A1 1100 500 300 12 habitat 1066 463 276.5

A2 600 600 400 0 display

A3 600 500 400 110 habitat 566 463 364

A4 400 600 400 175 habitat 366 563 499

A5 600 500 300 140 void

A6 400 600 400 50 habitat 366 563 499

A7 600 600 300 10 void

plinth 100 n/a

B1 1100 500 300 168 habitat 1066 463 276.5

B2 600 600 400 0 display

B3 400 600 400 30 habitat 366 563 499

B4 600 500 300 70 void

B5 400 500 300 140 habitat 366 563 399

B6 600 600 300 15 void

B7 600 600 400 100 habitat 566 563 464

plinth 100 n/a

C1 1100 500 300 12 habitat 1066 463 276.5

C2 600 600 400 0 display

C3 400 600 400 40 habitat 366 563 499

C4 600 600 300 140 void

C5 400 500 300 30 habitat 366 563 399

C6 600 500 300 80 void

C7 600 600 400 150 habitat 566 563 464

plinth 100 n/a

D1 1100 500 300 168 habitat 1066 463 276.5

D2 600 600 400 0 display

D3 600 500 400 30 habitat 566 463 364

D4 400 500 400 130 habitat 366 563 399

D5 600 600 300 40 void

D6 400 600 400 150 habitat 366 563 499

D7 600 600 300 110 void

Grey to Green 2 Public Art Brief page 10

Models showing potential orientation – the yellow squares indicate open (void) boxes

3.5 What we want the artist to do

The artist is required to:

Research and design the panels

Manufacture the panels

Install the panels in collaboration with the manufacture of the totems.

The artist will be responsible to ensure that all protection measures are taken and

that health and safety and proper working practices are observed by themselves,

their team and any subcontractors.

If working on site the artist will be subject to the Health and Safety procedures of the

main contractor NMCN Ltd.

Grey to Green 2 Public Art Brief page 11

4.0 UNDERTAKING THE PROJECT

4.1 Commission Stages

4.1.1 Stage 1 – Research and Design

The artist will work closely with the Project Team to design the work sharing initial

ideas and developments for discussion and approval.

The artist will prepare drawings and samples to illustrate their final design proposal

which will include full budget and implementation plans for approval by the Project

Team.

On approval of this design the artist will embark on Stage 2.

4.1.2 Stage 2 - Implementation

The artist is required to implement and manufacture the work and install it as agreed

with the Main Contractor organising and supervising any sub-contractors. The artist

will make provision to ensure that proper Health and Safety (particularly

Construction, Design and Management Regulations 2015 if they are deemed to

apply) and working practices are observed.

4.2 Working with the Project Team

The artist will be required to work with the Project Team and will report directly to

SCC Public Art Officer, Andrew Skelton.

The artist will attend Project Team meetings as agreed and will be required to

produce sketches, detailed drawings and reports as necessary for the project. The

artist will provide full reports on all research and other activity.

member role

Lucia Lorente-Arnu Sheffield City Council, Development Officer

Duncan Bradbury Sheffield City Council, Landscape Architect

Andrew Skelton Sheffield City Council, Public Art Officer

4.3 Timescale

no action date

4.3.1 Tender Issued 11.11.19

4.5.2 Tender response from artist 02.12.19

4.3.3 Selection interview 11.12.19

4.3.4 Artist appointed 20.12.19

4.3.5 Stage 1 Research and Design phase begins 20.12.19

4.3.6 Agreed ‘sketch design’ proposal 10.01.20

4.3.7 Agreed final costings and design (end of Stage 1) 17.01.20

4.3.8 Stage 2 Manufacture and implementation - begins 25.01.20

4.3.9 Completion 31.03.20

Grey to Green 2 Public Art Brief page 12

4.4 Budget

The total budget available for this commission is £18,000. The budget is to include

all fees and costs related to the project and the artist is responsible for all fixings and

fixing costs.

We are looking for a robust low maintenance design for the panels. However if the

work will require unusual future maintenance costs, outside the general maintenance

undertaken by the Council’s contractors, these should also be provided from the

overall budget (this might be things like a website or very specialist maintenance).

Please note there will be a retention of £800 for six months after completion.

In order to give price competition within the tenders the Request for Quotation tender

documents asks you to give your price for the Research and Design and

Construction Management elements of the project. The construction cost of the

artwork will therefore be the total budget (£18,000) less your Research and Design

Fees and less your Construction Management Fees

A detailed schedule of payments will be agreed with the artist when the programme

is agreed.

5.0 APPLICATION AND SELECTION

This commission will be widely advertised.

Artists should apply by filling in the tender questionnaire (Request for Quotation)

through the YORTender Portal. The questionnaire will allow you to respond to this

brief and enter into the procurement process.

The full process and selection criteria are detailed in the tender documents.

Whilst the registration process and documents look time consuming and difficult at

first sight the process is not so daunting once you get started. Like many other

public organisations the Council is not able to tender work outside of this type of

framework.

The deadline for applications is 17.00 on Monday 02 December 2019.

1) Create an account by going to https://procontract.due-north.com/register

2) Follow the registration process and set up your company online.

3) Once registered, log on and click ‘Find Opportunities’ on the black bar across

the top of the screen.

3) Enter ‘DN445453’ in the search box in the top right. This will bring up the Grey

to Green project.

Grey to Green 2 Public Art Brief page 13

There is an online help guide on YORtender for help when you set up a profile.

When considering the categories to register under it’s up to you how general or

specific you want to be in terms of definition - it doesn’t affect your ability to apply/be

considered for this opportunity. However, for reference, the UNSPSC category that

is just registered as ‘Art’ is 60121000. This is part of the greater category 60000000

‘Musical Instruments and Games and Toys and Arts and Crafts and Educational

Equipment and Materials and Accessories and Supplies’, and breaks down further

into 16 different categories. There are also other categories within 600000000

bidders may feel are relevant – you can select as many as you like.

6.0 CONTACT DETAILS

Any questions regarding this brief should be addressed through the YORTender

Portal. Please note that where appropriate answers to questions will be shared with

all tenderers through the Portal

If you are having difficulty with the Portal please contact Andrew Skelton

andrew.skelton@shefffield.gov.uk

0114 205 3784

7.0 POLICIES

Equality and Diversity Policy

http://www.sheffield.gov.uk/business-economy/contracts/scc/policy/policies

Sustainable Policies

http://www.sheffield.gov.uk/in-your-area/housing-services/environmental-

sustainability/sustainable-development/sustainable-policies

Health and Safety Information

http://www.hse.gov.uk/