100 New Bridge Street

In 1991, Brian Clarke was commissioned by the developers Rosehaugh Stanhope to design an integral artwork for their building at 100 New Bridge Street, located between London's Thameslink and Blackfriars stations.

In collaboration with architects Renton Howard Wood Levin, Clarke produced a composition which ran across the length of the building, comprising two projecting canopies and the glazed main entranceway located between them. Made from traditionally mouth-blown sheets of glass in orange, green, white and blue, the curved entrance screen incorporated thin slices of agate and onyx.

On the principal elevation, the canopies form a narrow band of colour to either side of the recessed entranceway, where calligraphic 'ribbons' echo the decorative stonework of the keystone above.

Brian Clarke: Architectural Artist (1994) writes:

'By day, the entrance glass is illuminated by natural light and is at its most potent from within. The canopy is also visible by natural light from the pavement level. By night, internal illumination brings the two elements of the scheme jointly alive, delivering an energy and atmosphere to the streetscape it sadly lacked before. It has now become an affectionate landmark in the City of London, used as an evening meeting point and directional event.'