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Bennett Associates were awarded the contract for the development of the new displacement sea lock on the River Carron. This forms part of a full length canal extension from the existing Forth and Clyde Canal and will link directly into to the existing Carron mooring basin.
The lock will feature two gigantic equine sculptures and will become the centrepiece for the £45million Helix Project, a joint venture between Falkirk Council, British Waterways and the Central Scotland Forest Trust.
Standing at almost 30 metres high, the colossal Kelpie horses are sculpted as though captured in movement and will form an integral part of the displacement lock mechanism. One of the Kelpies will move in a slow rocking motion to displace the required amount of water in order to operate the lock.
The animation of the moving head will be facilitated by a hydraulic ram mounted within the base of the neck, tilting around a fixed axis. Boats coming from the River Carron will be welcomed by the monumental Kelpie heads, which will form an impressive gateway to the canal system. Bennett Associates are responsible for:
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the design of all engineering aspects of the structure |
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the operational mechanism and services for the Kelpies |
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assessment of existing corrosion conditions |
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advise on suitable and cost effective material that will realise the 100 year design life of the Kelpies |
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civil design of Kelpie bases and new lock |
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the design of the new lock gates and walkways |
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technical supervision of the fabrication and erection of the sculptures |
A key challenge will be to effectively translate Scottish artist Andy Scott's concept sculpture into a full scale functional structure. The graceful and gentle movement envisaged by the artist must be realised, whilst preserving the aesthetic impact of the maquettes. Lighting effects will be visible through the open mosaic nature of the sculpture cladding.
In order to translate the 3 metre high maquettes into nearly 30 metre high dynamic sculptures, an effective internal support structure will be created, which will provide the external skin with rigidity under wind loading. It will need to be capable of withstanding the large forces generated due to the exposed nature of the location. Any internal structure introduced to the Kelpies must be done sympathetically as this will be visible through the skin of the sculpture. A close working relationship with Andy Scott is required to create an efficient and cost effective solution that fulfils both the engineering and artistic requirements.
The sculptures are based on the Kelpie legend and were chosen not only for their role of the mythical water horse in waterway folklore, but also to pay respect to the importance of the heavy horse throughout Scottish industrial history in the development of the canal network.
From the M9 motorway, the sculptures will appear as beautiful rearing forms rising from the landscape. Falkirk Council led the successful bid for the £25 million 'Living Landmarks' lottery grant in partnership with British Waterways and the Central Scotland Forest Trust. The Helix Project will transform unused land between Falkirk and Grangemouth and also introduce a new section of canal, linking the Forth and Clyde Canal into the Forth Estuary.
More information:
Falkirk Helix Project | Andy Scott Public Art
For more information, contact us on 01709-373782
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