Challenge

Umbilico was born of the energetic and inspirational client, who wanted to create a welcoming community around circus arts, that could satisfy the professionals and be exciting for the learners and amateur enthusiasts.

Response

There were parts to this process that were like bricolage and other parts that were the driest of structural engineering. Our client had collected a variety of characterful objects (old windows, vintage leather vaulting horses, modernist towel hooks) that were all to be incorporated into the design alongside the trapezes, tumbling mats and gym equipment. This was incredibly useful to us as we needed to bring life to the contemporary concrete industrial unit that was to house the circus school. But the structural engineering was also vitally important as we made sure that moving and swinging loads (humans!) were safely secured.

We enjoyed the process of bringing our clients’ vision to life, which was in part also a memorial to her brother. It was full of beautiful contrasts; engineering and whimsy, memorial and optimism for the future, grey concrete and brightly coloured silks.