Paternoster Vents, Stainless steel sculpture in Paternoster Square, City of London, United Kingdom.
Paternoster Vents is a stainless steel sculpture in Paternoster Square in the City of London, composed of two mirror-image wings. The structure comprises 63 isosceles triangles and rises to approximately 11 meters high.
Thomas Heatherwick created this steel sculpture in 2002 as part of the square's redevelopment project adjacent to St Paul's Cathedral. The installation marked a fresh approach to integrating infrastructure within central London's historic setting.
The design emerged from experiments with folded paper sheets, transforming a simple concept into a large-scale metal structure in the heart of London. Visitors can see how this playful approach resulted in a distinctive form at the square.
The sculpture serves as a ventilation system for an underground electrical substation, with metal grilles in the paving allowing air circulation. The best views of the structure emerge as you walk around the surrounding area of Paternoster Square.
Each wing comprises identical triangular segments of 8-millimeter thick stainless steel, finished through glass bead blasting to achieve a satin surface effect. This crafted surface treatment gives the sculpture a soft, reflective appearance that shifts throughout the day.
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