The Concorde made its inaugural flight in January 2023, with the completion of the lounge in the following summer. The Peninsula Hotel in London collaborated with Discommon and Neal Feay to create a stunning sculpture of the Concorde supersonic jet in the Brooklands Lounge. The sculpture, weighing 2700 pounds and measuring 48 feet, was suspended from the ceiling using four moorings, ensuring stability and authenticity.
Discommon, known for turning ideas into reality, was brought in by one of the architectural firms involved in building The Peninsula Hotel. The architects wanted a grand sculpture of the Concorde to be placed in the coved ceiling of the eighth floor Brooklands Lounge. Neil Ferrier, the president of Discommon, approached his collaborator, Alex Rasmussen of Neal Feay, to develop the intricate sculpture.
The Peninsula in Belgravia recently opened its doors, and the Concorde sculpture has become an instant design icon, captivating guests. The sculpture was meticulously crafted with 420 virtually seamless exterior panels. It was assembled in Santa Barbara before being disassembled and shipped to London for final installation.
The family that owns The Peninsula has a deep appreciation for classic cars and chose to pay homage to the Brooklands racetrack and aerodrome by naming their top-floor restaurant and bar after it. The Brooklands racetrack played a significant role in the development of Britain’s automotive and aviation industries, hosting numerous speed records and serving as the birthplace of the Concorde.
During a meeting at The Quail gathering during Monterey Car Week, Ferrier presented a 3-foot-long aluminum maquette of the Concorde to Peter Brorer, a representative of The Peninsula. However, the sharp nose of the maquette inadvertently punctured a hole in Rasmussen’s Porsche 911 and later caused a minor injury to Ferrier. This incident, though unexpected, did not deter them from pursuing the project.
Despite budget constraints and proposals from competitors, Discommon and Neal Feay remained true to their vision, ensuring that the sculpture met the high standards set by The Peninsula Hotels and their parent corporation. The collaboration lasted two and a half years, with thorough planning and engineering to ensure every detail was perfect.
During the process, Discommon created a digital model of the Brooklands Lounge and analyzed the visibility of the Concorde sculpture. They worked closely with the architects to make adjustments, resulting in a sculpture that was 10 percent smaller than originally planned. This modification allowed for a more dramatic and captivating entrance.
The final sculpture, designed as a “speedform,” captures the essence and motion of the Concorde. It comprises 420 custom machined and anodized aluminum panels, 3000 unique machined and anodized brackets, and 8000 M5 stainless steel bolts. The sculpture weighs a total of 2700 pounds and includes 24 lights, sprinkler mounts, and an integrated microphone.
Overall, the journey to create the Concorde sculpture for The Peninsula Hotel was a labor of love, involving meticulous planning, collaboration, and attention to detail. The end result is a remarkable and awe-inspiring piece that embodies the legacy and spirit of the Concorde and the Brooklands racetrack.
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