The winners of a Drain Cover Design competition, for the public realm works in Albert Square as part of the Our Town Hall (OTH) project, have been announced today.
Securing their place in the history books are the five winners of the Drain Cover design competition who have literally marked their spot for years to come in the newly improved and pedestrianised Albert Square.
The winners will see their artistic designs made into cast iron drain covers as part of this historic regeneration project, in what will be one of the finest civic spaces not just in the UK but in Europe.
One of the six drain covers, has been designed by Manchester City Council’s lead designer, Craig Green and the five winners are: Barney Ibbotson from Whalley Range, Eddie Campbell from Didsbury, Faz Barber from Whalley Range, Olivia Clermont from Didsbury and Unity Arts and Dan Birkbeck based in Chorlton.
The judging panel, who whittled down 30 strong entries to the winning five, included deputy leader of Manchester City Council, Cllr Luthfur Rahman and key members of the OTH Project Design Team, Paul Candelent (OTH Project Director), Jon Male (manufacturer of the drain covers), Kevin Redhead (Planit-ie our Public Realm designers), Jamie Coath (Lead architect from Purcell) and Craig Green (Manchester City Council Lead Designer).
Councillor Luthfur Rahman, Deputy Leader of Manchester City Council said:
“People really embraced the idea of being involved in such a quirky element of this historic project and are leaving their own artistic legacy for future generations.
“The breadth of artistic license and the quality of the designs that we received was very impressive. We had a difficult time in choosing the winners, however, we all agreed that the winning designs were outstanding. We look forward to seeing these unique designs in place when Albert Square fully reopens.”
Barney Ibbotson, from Whalley Range, one of the competition winners added:
“I'm delighted and honoured to have been selected as one of the winning designers. To have my work made into something so permanent in such a prominent part of Manchester feels like a real achievement. I can't wait to be able to walk through Albert Square and see the design beneath my feet."