Rain Bow Gate

Rain Bow Gate is a corrugated vaulted shell structure supported on three inclined columns. Constructed from 3mm stainless steel spanning 7 metres, the single surface structure gives this arched sculpture its strength. Three perforate arches form a gate that welcomes people from three directions, where three routes converge. A strong three-dimensional form constructed from flat, laser-cut, 3mm steel sheets, the geometrically-stiff, ultra-light structure minimises weight and wastage, demonstrating the Shell Lace Structure’s principles pioneered by Tonkin Liu and engineers at Arup. With beams of sunlight, 133 glass prism inserts cast rainbow-coloured light, whilst projecting coloured light into the mist at night. Rain Bow Gate embraces cutting-edge digital design, engineering, and fabrication tools, appropriately sited here in front of a sixth form college in Burnley, the centre of excellence in advanced manufacturing. Project: Rain Bow Gate Architect: Tonkin Liu Location: Lancashire, United Kingdom Project size: 61 m2 Completion date:2012 Fabricator: Mike Smith Studio Structural Engineer: ARUP Photo Credit: Tonkin Liu, Greg Storrar