Creative company Artichoke and American artist David Best have collaborated to create a 120m long wooden model recreation of the City of London in the 17th century, which will be set on fire on barges in the River Thames this Sunday as part of the 350th anniversary of the Great Fire of London.
MBM Forest Products supplied 70m3 of untreated KD C24 whitewood (from the Kurekss mill in Latvia) for the framing of the model buildings. A mixture of 47mm x 50mm/75mm/100mm and 22mm x 100mm sizes were used.
Sister company Falcon Panel Products supplied StrePly Premium plywood, which combines a 100% eucalyptus hardwood throughout core with attractive single piece red pencil cedar face veneers. StrePly Premium was specified for the demanding machining and cutting processes required.
CNC processing of the plywood to recreate period detail on the model buildings was completed at the Machines Room and assembled on site in East London.
The project was also designed with a major learning and participation programme that has engaged hundreds of young Londoners over the course of several months.
The Space has partnered with Artichoke to allow people to watch the burn live online. The event will be captured on multiple cameras between Blackfriars Bridge and Waterloo this Sunday.
It can be viewed online at http://www.visitlondon.com/greatfire350/watchitburn
