The Voyage, Liverpool

Commissioned by Amey for Liverpool City Council, the stunning centrepiece of the newly completed public realm area on Brunswick Street provides a high-quality landscape setting befitting the Grade II* listed Cunard Building, one of Liverpool’s world famous three Graces. ‘The Voyage’, starting in 1839 and stretching to the present day, recounts some of the defining moments in the epic Cunard story during a period when Liverpool was considered as the gateway to the world. From Nova Scotia to New York and the Mauretania to the Queen Mary; ‘The Voyage’ explores a company who had an immeasurable impact on the city’s culture and its people. Following in-depth research by the team, a refined graphic response was developed that thematically framed the story around 16 ships launched between 1840 and 1947.  

Our Journey

Combinations of stone etchings, bronze illustrations and typography have been designed and incorporated into 50 metres of solid granite seating. From Nova Scotia to New York and the Mauretania to the Queen Mary; the artwork tells the tale of a company who had an immeasurable impact on the city’s culture and its people. The subtle positioning of the benches defines the occasional vehicle drop-off and service access area without the need for a clutter of bollards. The designers wanted to show how creative design can help re-connect a place and its people with its past and provide an inclusive and contemporary vision for our collective future. Although the initial brief was vague, they spotted a rare opportunity to celebrate a unique history and create a landscape befitting the sites importance. The challenge was to create a design that was sympathetic to both the existing buildings, the history of the Cunard Line, but also utilise details and materials that referenced its contemporary context. Hardscape supplied European Montemuro fine grain flamed granite for the benches with bronze inlays and lettering all manufactured at IP Surfaces. Hardscape also supplied the landscaped areas comprising of Kellen Breccia and Liscio Tagenta paving; Lavaro Wit flush edgings and Breccia Tagenta Triangles. ‘The Voyage’ clearly and imaginatively demonstrates how design can help re-connect a place and its people with its past and provide an inclusive and contemporary vision for our collective future.