University Students Transform Demolition Debris into Public Art

A public art sculpture has been created by university students using timber recovered from the demolition of a car park built in the 1970s. Specifically, postgraduate students specializing in Art Design and Architecture at Coventry University utilized discarded door frames sourced from the city’s New Union Street car park, which was torn down earlier in the current year. The university stated that for its Urban Mining Test Lab Project, it collaborated for the inaugural time with the Pangaea Sculptors’ Centre, an organization dedicated to fostering the development of sculpture across the United Kingdom. This completed artwork, which takes the form of a walkway constructed from the doors, is now exhibited at the IDP Architects office located on Spon Street in Coventry. Dr Tulika Gadakari, an associate professor and the curriculum lead in architecture, commented, “Urban mining isn’t just a part of the course for our students, it is a positive response to achieving net zero carbon emissions and sustainable development goals.” She further explained, “It involves going out into the urban environments such as building sites, looking at the material that is being discarded and thinking of ways it could be reused and repurposed.” Prior to its exhibition in the architects’ entrance gallery, the sculpture was showcased within the university’s Delia Derbyshire building, a facility that houses creative arts and society courses. Additionally, a recent showcase featured other student projects and included presentations from representatives of the city council, Pangaea, and various university departments, who engaged in discussions concerning waste materials, urban mining, and environmental values. Information regarding BBC Coventry & Warwickshire is available on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X, and Instagram. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC disclaims responsibility for the content of external sites. Details concerning our approach to external linking are provided.