Students:
- Tom Hunter
- Geri Ormerod
- Charley Zollinger
- Inaara Dias Lopes
- Michelle Zhou
Metamorhphisis of Daphne. Anneliese Henecka (1973).
Born in 1927, Anneliese Henecka studied architecture and free sculpture at the Dusseldorf Academy of Art. Her artistic prowess extended across various mediums, including fountains, large-scale bas-reliefs, marble, bronze, and wooden sculptures, as well as ivory relief sculptures. Notably, in the early 1970s, she held teaching position at the University of Lancaster, where she became an in-residence artist from 1972-1973.
The “Metamorphosis of Daphne” sculpture, created in 1973, exemplifies Henecka’s con-
temporary, post-war art style. The original plans envisioned a green structure with
stained glass, intended to be accentuated by floodlights from surrounding County buildings. The medium chosen for this piece is slate-inflected concrete, crafted using a clay
mold that allowed the artist to infuse tactile and sensual qualities into the artwork.
The use of slate-inflected concrete speaks to the durability and permanence of the transformation depicted in the sculpture. Henecka’s hands-on approach, running her hands
over the clay mold during the creation process, adds a personal and sensory dimension to the artwork. The laurel hedge surrounding the sculpture has grown over time, forming an arch around the concrete block. This natural evolution parallels the growth of the laurel tree in Daphne’s mythological narrative. Over time, the sculpture has undergone repairs, indicating its evolution and adaptation to the passage of time.
Lancaster Institute of Contemporary Arts. Sheppard Robson (2011).
The LICA building stands as a pivotal component of the Lancaster University campus. It hosts a variety of flexible performance spaces and workshops catering to the music, dance, drama, and sign programs offered by the institute.
The design of the building draws inspiration from the dynamic interplay between nature and man-made elements, influenced by the picturesque woodland setting surrounding the site. The construction, spanning a period of 10 months, utilized a cross-laminated timber frame. The exterior is enveloped in polycarbonate panels, creating adistinctive facade, while the interior boasts exposed timber finishes. Floor-to-ceiling double-glazed windows are strategically incorporated to flood the building with natural light throughout the day, seamlessly blending the architectural aesthetics with the surrounding environment. The LICA Building thus remains a dynamic hub for artistic and creative endeavors within the university.
Notably, in 2020, the building underwent expansion, with the addition of an architecture studio at its west end, and other existing space. The architecture studio was prefabricated off site, the modular extension was delivered and assembled on site. During the construction, some adjustments had to be made to make sure classes could continue in a COVID safe environment. Despite the pandemic, the projects was delivered only 2 days behind schedule and within the budget.
The main objective of the project was to receive as many BREEAM Credits as possible,
leading to a strategic decision in the later stages of the design process to transition to
a CLT (cross-laminated timber) frame. Ultimately, the project successfully achieved its goal, making the LICA building thefirst higher educational building to receive a BREEAM Outstanding rating and only the second ever to be honored with such recognition. Additionally, the building earned nominations for several other prestigious awards, underscoring its excellence in sustainable design and construction.