The project, initiated by Space Placemaking and Urban Design (SPUD Group), is designed to allow Turner to conduct a year-long study of the marine ecology of the Beaulieu Estuary using art that he will make while living in the Egg to promote the protection of this marine environment. It will also be the ‘seed for cross curriculum educational projects with local schools and colleges’, according to the organisers.
Constructed entirely from strips of timber, the Exbury Egg, which launched from Lymington Yacht Haven on 23 May, is designed to weather and erode during its year on the river. After the 12 month study the Egg will be removed from the river and will become part of a travelling exhibition about the project.
Unsurprisingly PAD Studio had never done anything like this before, and architect Wendy Perring says it was a huge challenge. As architects we’re obviously quite used to designing things with straight lines and not very used to designing things that have to float,’ says Perring, who is also a keen sailor. ‘It was a challenge designing and making it and we really have gone back to traditional boat-building techniques.’
The curved shell of the Egg is made of cedar wood, but the wood has been left untreated so that its appearance will weather over time. ‘It’s like a marker of the environment,’ says Perring, ‘so it will get bleached by the sun and eroded by the water. It will also gather algae and barnacles, so when it comes out of the river it will be a different thing.’
While living in the Egg Turner will also have to customise the interior, using natural insulation in the winter, for example. The Egg will eventually become an artwork in its own right and will be exhibited alongside Turners work when the project is complete.
For more information on the project visit the website exburyegg.org
