There are things you see and you just fall in love with…you want to have them, you must have them. On Wanna Have Wednesday we will be sharing some of these design creations and celebrating the creations and their creators.
Today’s Wanna Have Thing is the dream of anyone who love to skate: the Quaker Street Bowl. Located off Brick Lane in a former textile warehouse, is one of London’s premier skate spots. The meticulously crafted wooden installation sits within a naturally lit white-walled studio. Its clean and simple design draws maximum effect from the subtle timber and steel detailing.
Designed and built by Benedict Radcliffe and Associates, it is an irresistible blend of skateboarding, design and childish fantasy that exemplifies modern-day urban architecture and skating but also acknowledges the past: young Californian sidewalk surfers of the mid 70s who were propping up plywood against a few bricks and kick-turning off the top to simulate wave riding.
Since opening in mid 2012 it has been used in a number of photoshoots for international companies as well as contemporary dance performances.
Benedict Radcliffe was born and brought up in Kent, Benedict Radcliffe, 31, studied at the Mackintosh School of Art in Glasgow. After graduating, Radcliffe pursued an interest in the commercial fabrication and construction of interiors and furniture as well as art and sculpture working with leading Glaswegian architectural fabricators Scott Associates.
Since leaving Scott Associates as well as continuing to pursue personal projects and exhibitions, he has recently undertaken commissions for Paul Smith, Puma, Red Bull and Comme des Garcons. And this interest in his work has led to him move down from Glasgow and setting up a studio in London.
His work looks at a number of themes; his love of machines and engineering, commercial branding and familiar logos or graphics and transferring them to different contexts and materials.Find more about his work here
