for the past four years, size + matter has been a cornerstone project of london design week,located at the southbank centre, in which an architect or designer explores the dynamic between materials and manufacturing.

last year, japanese architect shigeru ban‘s ‘paper tower‘  and australian designer marc newson‘s ‘supercell’, were selected as part of the size + matter project. for 2010, UK-based architect david chipperfield and designer paul cocksedge have been commissioned to develop installations for size + matter, to be presented at london design week in september.

‘drop’ by paul cocksedge

as his contribution, paul cocksedge has conceived ‘drop’, which looks like an outsized coin ‘which has fallen to earth from giant’s palm,‘ that appears lightly buckled upon landing improbably upright. consisting of a giant brass disc (2.6m high x 3m wide with a 100mm thickness),‘drop’ is magnetic and encourages passers-by to participate by affixing their spare pennies to its surface, facilitating a human connection with an otherworldly object and allowing individuals to alter the appearance of the installation. ‘drop’ thus becomes copper-plated through many small acts of human contribution. at the end of the installation, the public’s monetary contributions will be counted and barnardo’s corporate partners will turn every penny into one pound. the ambition is to emulate the success of the studio’s ‘kiss’ installation in milan last year which raised a large donation for good causes.

the sculpture is made possible through a collaboration between ARUP and van driel engineering.

david chipperfield + paul cocksedge installations at london design festival 2010 up close of the magnetized surface

david chipperfield + paul cocksedge installations at london design festival 2010 ‘the space in between’ by david chipperfield

david chipperfield‘s installation entitled ‘the space in between’, is a cityscape of nine modular blocks ranging from 2.8 to 5.8 metres high, covering an area of 175 square metres. the installation will seamlessly transform from shimmering towers during sunlight hours, to glowing, jewel-like beacons at night.

for his piece, chipperfield is working with Sefar®, who manufactures architecture textiles, and glass producer bischoff glastechink (BGT). within the base of each block, there will be a hidden light source. as day turns into night, each one will begin to glow and the solidity of the towers, which is apparent during the day, will fall away, encouraging a new relationship between the cityscape and its audience. to be situated on the southbank centre square, it will be overlooked by different elevated walkways as well as street and surrounding plazas. the total composition oscillates between a large still life and small cityscape, where the space in between becomes the protagonist in the balancing of mass and space.