Sculpture of Leaping Birds in front of former Bird's Eye Offices

Sculpture of Leaping Birds in front of Walton Court, formerly Bird's Eye Offices, Station Avenue, Walton-on-Thames

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Overview

Sculpture, 1960-6 by John McCarthy. Read the official list entry to find out more.

Heritage Category:: Listed Building
Grade:: II
List Entry Number:: 1245780
Date first listed:: 24-Nov-1995
List Entry Name:: Sculpture of Leaping Birds in front of former Bird's Eye Offices
Statutory Address:: Sculpture of Leaping Birds in front of Walton Court, formerly Bird's Eye Offices, Station Avenue, Walton-on-Thames

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Date:: 2002-07-16
Reference:: IOE01/08327/09
Rights:: © Norman Wigg. Source: Historic England Archive

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Official list entry

Heritage Category:: Listed Building
Grade:: II
List Entry Number:: 1245780
Date first listed:: 24-Nov-1995
Date of most recent amendment:: 25-Apr-2013
List Entry Name:: Sculpture of Leaping Birds in front of former Bird's Eye Offices
Statutory Address 1:: Sculpture of Leaping Birds in front of Walton Court, formerly Bird's Eye Offices, Station Avenue, Walton-on-Thames

This List entry helps identify the building designated at this address for its special architectural or historic interest.

Unless the List entry states otherwise, it includes both the structure itself and any object or structure fixed to it (whether inside or outside) as well as any object or structure within the curtilage of the building.

For these purposes, to be included within the curtilage of the building, the object or structure must have formed part of the land since before 1st July 1948.

Understanding list entries

Corrections and minor amendments

This List entry helps identify the building designated at this address for its special architectural or historic interest.

For these purposes, to be included within the curtilage of the building, the object or structure must have formed part of the land since before 1st July 1948.

Understanding list entries

Corrections and minor amendments

Location

Statutory Address:: Sculpture of Leaping Birds in front of Walton Court, formerly Bird's Eye Offices, Station Avenue, Walton-on-Thames

The building or site itself may lie within the boundary of more than one authority.

County:: Surrey
District:: Elmbridge (District Authority)
Parish:: Non Civil Parish
National Grid Reference:: TQ1067865186

Summary

Sculpture, 1960-6 by John McCarthy.

Reasons for Designation

Bird sculpture, 1960-6 by John McCarthy, is listed at Grade II for the following principal reasons:

* Sculptural interest: figure of three rising birds, reflecting the image of Bird's Eye;

* Setting: integral to the design of the site, standing prominently at the entrance to Walton Court, the former Bird's Eye offices, an exemplar of the trend common to post-war commercial buildings of integrating art with architecture.

History

Bird’s Eye was one of the first companies to move its offices out of London, bringing all its staff together on one site in Walton-on-Thames, close to rail and airport connections. The company invested in prestigious headquarters embellished with specially commissioned works of art reflecting the image of the company.

The building, designed by Sir John Burnet, Tait and Partners and constructed in 1961-2, reflected the 1960s predilection for geometric op-art forms in the design of its curtain wall which is enhanced by the reflective pool which runs the length of the building. The project also importantly reflected the trend at the time to incorporate works of art into the design as part of the aesthetic and as a symbol of the company. In this case, standing prominently in the arm of the pool at the entrance to the site, is the sculpture of rising birds by John McCarthy. It forms an integral part of the landscape designed by Philip Hicks, that sets the office building in its suburban setting.

This integration of art in the landscape and the building is repeated elsewhere within the building. Of the two internal courtyards, also by Hicks, one is Japanese in feel, the other includes monolithic concrete sculptures by Alan Collins set among formal rectangular pools and trees. When first opened, there were flamingoes, penguins and alligators in both courtyards. Water too played its part inside the building, where, at the base of the stairs there was a shallow pool fed by water stoups.

Details

Bronze semi-abstract form depicting three leaping birds. It is mounted on a rocky base within the north-facing arm of the reflective pond, adjacent to the entrance to the site. It is an integral part of the architectural composition of the Bird's Eye offices (qv Walton Court, formerly Bird's Eye Offices, National Heritage List for England, Listed Grade II, 1271706).

Legacy

The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.

Legacy System number:: 453574
Legacy System:: LBS

Legal

This building is listed under the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 as amended for its special architectural or historic interest.