Over the last weekend, tourists and passers by might have noticed the front door of number 10 downing street, the residence of Prime Minister David Cameron, looked a little different than usual. Specifically, that it's usually blank, black face had been given quite an elaborate makeover. This was the work of Jason Bruges Studio (JBS) and Benchmark, who worked together to create an exact replica of the famous home's front door, only with one key difference; it lights up! Not only does this “Digital double” of one of the world's most famous doors light up, but it contains LED lights that respond to movements immediately behind it, projecting this movement as silhouettes onto its surface. The specially responsive LED tech designed by JBS specifically for the installation, is embedded into the door. An array of sensors and display lighting then reveals a silhouette capturing the moment anyone passes by and through it. It's an interactive take on an iconic landmark, and is a triumph of both technology and design.
JBS founder and namesake, Jason Bruges calls the doors, which was installed at the actual number 10 for a short, but notable period over the weekend a “Playful” invention, but also says that “As soon as the lighting stops, it looks exactly like the real thing.” He said his company, which specialises in designing and building interactive installations replicated everything, “From the slanting 0, to the shininess of the black paint, created by many coats of lacquer.” In fact, he said “The only spot-the-difference is the little plate covering the lock,” which doesn’t exist on their version.
An array of sensors and LED display lighting on the door reveal a silhouette capturing the moment anyone passes by and through it
The door has been created as part of a government-led campaign set up in 2012 called GREAT Britain, which aims to promote British innovation and creativity on an international level. The team from the initiative approached Bruges to design the project, and it was Bruges who decided to take it to luxury furniture firm Benchmark, who would craft the door itself. Bruges said that by collaborating with Benchmark, his studio were able to “Create a hybrid object,” and that he wanted to work with Benchmark “Because of their skills in woodwork and their innovation in different materials.” He calls the instantly recognisable door a “Symbol of Britain's Creative Industries being open for business and the incredible design and technology talent we have here and the campaign a “Shop window for the UK's creative industry,” that is “Trying to increase exports of creativity from the UK and promote it overseas.” A spokesman for the GREAT Britain campaign, meanwhile, said “Jason Bruges and Benchmark are representative of the outstanding vision and talent on offer here,” and that “This new art installation will undoubtedly catch the attention of international audiences and provide a great visual hook to promote British business, tourism and education around the world.”
Jason Bruges
According to Benchmark, they “Chose tulip wood for the door, which was carefully constructed in two halves to allow all the clever LED technology to be hidden within.” The door was “Made using traditional tenon and mortise joints for added strength and with a high gloss burnished finish, bespoke moulding, and a slight angle to the number 10.” They feel that their “Attention to detail,” which includes additional features like a glossy black lion’s head door knocker and brass letterbox, “Ensures a mirror image of the original door.” Sean Sutcliffe, co-founder and managing director of Benchmark, believes the project “Represents the coming together of the best of craftsmanship, creativity and technology,” which he feels is “Where Britain excels. He add that “British craftsmanship is world-leading and truly becomes viable when we add the values of design and technology.”
The door has been created as part of a government-led campaign set up in 2012 called GREAT Britain, which aims to promote British innovation and creativity
The door is planned to go on an international tour supporting the GREAT Britain campaign, and is set to appear next at the Great Festival of Creativity at Shanghai's Long Museum in March as part of GREAT Creations; an exhibition showcasing UK-based projects. The exhibition will also include unseen David Bailey portrait photographs of the Queen. The festival will be attended by The Duke of Cambridge, and will celebrate British creativity and innovation in front of a high level business audience from around the world to create opportunities for British companies to break into one of the world's fastest growing markets. The door is currently being held at Benchmark's London studio, but is more than ready for its upcoming world tour!
