Super Bloom

PROJECT:

Custom Mosaic Tile Mural

LOCATION:

Centennial Park Event Pavilion Restrooms | Nashville, TN

DESCRIPTION:

We all know that successful public projects take time and great partnerships with shared vision. When Dryden Studio came to us with the design problem we love hearing the most: “no off the shelf product will do”, we were inside screaming at the chance to design a memorable custom tile for the first new structure to be built in Centennial Park in over 65 years. The team at Centennial Park Conservancy had the vision that they wanted these restrooms to be memorable, a la Hermitage Hotel bathrooms, but specially fit to the park. In collaboration with Dryden, CPC and Metro Parks, we got cracking on several design concepts. This large scale, tessellated nature inspired pattern we call “Super Bloom” is the concept that made the cut! The exterior of the restroom structures are clad in Crab Orchard natural stone that looks like a natural monolith and also gives the impression of a geode. We wanted the outside to inside experience to be a stark contrast like when you crack open a geode to a crystalline interior. The flower like forms of the tessellated pattern were inspired by flowers growing at Centennial park and popping at different stages of bloom. The unconventional color palettes in both restrooms represent the important and incredible amount of cultural diversity and activity that Centennial Park hosts. After the design was agreed upon it was time to call upon our ride or die collaborators, Red Rock Tileworks to help us make it a reality. After several design tweaks to meet production needs, we were off to the races. So many steps were involved in fabrication. From creating the dies to making sure the glaze colors and tile counts were accurate to designing how we were going to have the tile nests mounted and installed. This is the true test of custom: as Lindsay Sheets says, “Custom Projects, Custom Problems”. Anyone can make a cool pattern/have a great idea, but being flexible, pivoting and managing the important details is what really makes the difference and why we continue to get these opportunities.

Tile Fabrication by Red Rock Tileworks

Interiors by Dryden Studio