An Optic Cloak to heat the Greenwich peninsula

23rd September 2016

Developer Knight Dragon, which has begun work on an £8.4bn, 15,000-home development on the Greenwich peninsula, has unveiled the Optic Cloak, a 49m high perforated aluminium sculpture commissioned by chief executive Richard Margree. Designed by artist Conrad Shawcross, the structure is practical as well as decorative, and will house an energy centre providing hot water and heating for the homes on the 160-acre site – which consequently will not need to be fitted with individual boilers. Mr Shawcross says the exterior of the tower was inspired by Cubist and Op Art techniques, as well as the “Dazzle Ships” used on vessels during the Great War. Knight Dragon has already completed around 2,000 homes on the peninsula, and is expected to complete the project over the next 25 years.

Evening Standard (21/09/2016)