Mike O’Connell at BCA Landscape invited Broadbent to join the design team to produce artworks for the re-design of these run down promenade gardens. The client wanted the local community to be engaged in the design of the artworks so we contacted the local school Heysham High.

At a sixth form assembly Stephen Broadbent made an appeal for volunteers to join a team that would design and build the new artworks for the West End of Morecambe. Seven students were chosen for their skills and interests, ranging from art and design, business studies, journalism and teaching. The design team started a process of research, meeting with local historians, walking the proposed site, meeting the client and contractor, and researching existing artwork in the area.

The design process began with the idea of a trail of artworks running through the park, and also a hope to involve the two local Primary Schools.

A strong theme emerged, inspired by the natural environment of Morecambe, the ‘Elements’ - Earth, Fire, Water and Wind.  An idea was also conceived for the Primary Schools, which involved a ‘sea creatures’ drawing competition with every child participating, and a winner in each year group being able to transform their drawings into clay.

Broadbent produced concept designs, based on the themes provided by the students.

The Element Earth would relate to Rock, and possibly directly to the geology of Morecambe, this evolved into a ‘rock’ seat, a unique sculptural bench. The element Water would relate to the Tides of Morecambe. The design took the form of a 3D illustration of the effect of the moon on the earth; it also incorporates a map of Morecambe. The element Fire would relate to the dramatic Sunsets of Morecambe. The idea took the form of a huge timber picture frame, framing Morecambe’s sunset. It also incorporates a swatch of coloured tiles relating to the colours of sunsets.
The element of Wind would relate to Sound taking reference to the bandstand that was sited in the gardens. The idea took the form of a group of trumpets, reminiscent of sea horns. The artwork also works as an aeolians harp, with earpieces to listen to the sound of the wind.

The design team wanted a substantial beacon to be sited at the Regent Road end of the gardens, welcoming the town into the garden.  The theme of fishing was chosen and a design entitled ‘Hook’ was produce, which depicts a stylised fishing rod cast out to sea.  The ‘Hook’ of the fishing rod is attached to bronze fish, designed and modelled by the Primary School children.

Working with Birse Civils the artworks were installed in August 2007

The Mayor Helen Helme opened the Gardens 8th September 2007.

Cast aluminium reception & concierge desks in the new West Tower Offices of the Beetham Organization in Liverpool.

The organic forms has been inspired by the buildings location, overlooking the River Mersey and depicts low relief imagery of Liverpool Docks throughout the centuries.

Sculptural mobile located in the atrium of Liverpool Hope Universities newest building. Laser cut and rolled from weathering steel, this 4m artwork depicts the movement of seeds, reflecting the movement of people in the building. It is also representative of the students arriving and leaving Hope University; the university being good ground for growth, or a place that sends out to the wider world good seed.

The new Main Entrance building, designed by Brock Carmichael Architects, is a contemporary building, which utilises the traditional materials of other buildings on the campus.  The materials selected for the sculpture aim to reinforce the material palette.

The Greek transcript expresses the principals of faith, hope and love, highlighted at Hope University.

As part of Liverpool’s 800th birthday celebrations, artist Stephen Broadbent has designed and produced a unique commemorative coin.

The coin will be given later this year to every Liverpool school pupil.

A time line threads through the design, depicting important references throughout the Cities history starting with the Liver Bird, representative of King John’s Charter, and ending with a growing plant symbolic of renewal and hope for the future.

There is also a pdf explaining the coin. 

A stunning collection of Grade II listed Victorian school buildings, have been sensitively redeveloped with contemporary new-builds in this mixed use development, with a new public square at its heart.

Through landscape architects Planit EDC, Broadbent were commissioned to produce sculptural seating units for the public square, which would celebrate something of the life and history of the old Sheffield Central School.

Broadbent engaged with former pupils and asked them to provide personal memories, either as written statements or drawings. These were then modelled and cast into the bronze seating units.

The seats were installed in June 2007

This integrated landscaping and art scheme has been implemented to revitalise a relatively run down area of the West End Promenade and act as a catalyst to promote regeneration within the town.

Drift Park is designed in a contemporary style and encompasses a children’s water play area, an amphitheatre, a mini golf area, a children’s play park and a natural garden.

A continuous theme of artworks and artifacts, which celebrate Rhyl’s heritage and its role as a seaside resort, are scattered throughout the Park. The artworks are set within stone aggregate walls using bronze, ceramic, glass & natural materials, to be discovered by the local community and holidaymakers, in a ‘beachcombing’ experience to enhance their visit.

Large sculptural structures have also been sited at specific points within the gardens to act as beacons. The beacons stand 14m tall and are made from purpleheart timber, slate and copper.

Seating areas have also been designed that enhance the natural feel of the gardens.

Five sail structures at the gateway to Ellesmere Port, illustrate scenes of the Port’s canal heritage.

A range of unique artworks and urban elements, celebrating Ellesmere Port’s maritime and transportation connections, have recently been installed as part of the environmental improvements along the approach to Ellesmere Port Town Centre from the M53.

The Sails have fabricated steel inserts that illustrate scenes of Ellesmere Port’s canal heritage and house blue LED lights.

Working as part of a design team that included Landscape Architects Ferguson & McIlveen and Council Architects, a truly integrated scheme has been created.

The project has been made possible with funds from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister’s Liveability Fund.

An elegant entrance marker, made of high quality materials that will stand the test of time.

A range of unique artworks and urban elements have recently been installed as part of the environmental improvements along the approach to Ellesmere Port Town Centre from the M53.

Included within the scheme are a series of substantial purpleheart timber and cast bronze markers set at the various gateways to the town centre.

The materials are high quality, robust and self weathering. They are a long-term investment that will stand the test of time.

Working as part of a design team that included Landscape Architects Ferguson & McIlveen and Council Architects, a truly integrated scheme has been created.

The project has been made possible with funds from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister’s Liveability Fund.

A curved steel and glass screen which encloses a new public space with a paving design

A range of unique artworks and urban elements have recently been installed as part of the environmental improvements along the approach to Ellesmere Port Town Centre from the M53.

Included within the scheme is a substantial curved glass screen entitled ‘Migration’ which celebrates the maritime and transportation theme, with the imagery of birds in flight.

A stainless steel design in laid with ‘sure set’ blue and white coloured glasshas been set into the paving. The screen is profile cut by Loks Plasma in cor-ten steel and inset with water jet stained glass, This impressive structure fabricated and installed by N.L Williams is raised on columns that follow the curve of the corner space.

Working as part of a design team that included Landscape Architects Ferguson & McIlveen and Council Architects, a truly integrated scheme has been created.

The project has been made possible with funds from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister’s Liveability Fund.

A gateway sculpture

A range of unique artworks and urban elements have recently been installed as part of the environmental improvements along the approach to Ellesmere Port Town Centre from the M53.

Included within the scheme is a significant bronze sculpture entitled ‘The Pioneers’, which recognises the role of the visionary canal builders who linked the small Cheshire village of Ellesmere to the Mersey, birthing the town of Ellesmere Port.

The sculpture was modelled in a temporary unit in Ellesmere port, which allowed school children to witness the process and meet the artist.

Working as part of a design team that included Landscape Architects Ferguson & McIlveen and Council Architects, a truly integrated scheme has been created.

The project has been made possible with funds from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister’s Liveability Fund.

The sculpture was cast in Castle Fine Art Foundry.