wyvern:extra
Milestone for new arts and cultural building
Vice-Chancellor Professor Sir Ivor Crewe and other
University representatives were among the guests celebrating the topping
out of Colchester’s new arts and cultural space firstsite:newsite on 1
May.
The Topping Out ceremony marked a key milestone in the development of
the £16.5 million new building. Geraint Williams, manager of Colchester
United, joined local children and young people to celebrate the building
reaching its highest point.
The ceremony culminated in Mr Williams placing one of the first pieces
of copper aluminium alloy on the 4,500 square metre roof, which will
create the impression of sheer gold. It is the first time this alloy has
been used in construction in the UK.
A series of gold-themed celebrations at the site showcased some of
firstsite’s education and outreach work involving local children, young
people and artists. Children from St John’s Green Primary School started
work on a sculpture made out of golden roof off-cuts. A group of secondary
school children who have been involved in art sessions at firstsite helped
to lead Mr Williams on a site tour.
World-renowned architect Rafael Viñoly said: ‘firstsite:newsite is a
new type of social building with contemporary art at its heart. It is
designed to be an innovative setting for art but also a wonderful place
for people to come and enjoy their leisure time.’ The state-of-the-art
public building includes retail, eating and social areas, alongside spaces
for artists, exhibitions and education facilities, including a 200 seat
auditorium.
firstsite:newsite is one of only three projects nationally to have
attracted £5 million funding from Arts Council England. The University is
one of five stakeholders in firstsite:newsite, along with Arts Council
England, Colchester Borough Council, East of England Development Agency
and Essex County Council.
The new building will create a hub for Latin American art, working
closely with the University of Essex Collection of Latin American Art (UECLAA).
UECLAA will work with firstsite on exhibitions and education projects. The
University’s partnership with firstsite will also provide a town-centre
base for a wide range of University activities including conferences and
educational outreach.
Colchester United Manager, Geraint Williams (right) and David Moffat, from
construction company Banner,
join guests for the topping out ceremony
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