Project Overview

Angle Ring was proud to contribute to the Birmingham Light Festival through our involvement in the ‘Ideas Happen Here’ installation, a striking light sculpture in the Jewellery Quarter. Commissioned by Taylex Group and designed by Rough Diamond, this piece stands as a tribute to the historical innovation, manufacturing, and design excellence that defines the area. This installation, an abstract and free-form rendering of a lightbulb, represents the remarkable achievements of the Jewellery Quarter’s past while inviting current residents and visitors to reflect on their own creativity. The project was part-funded by the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, with support from Legal & General, Rough Diamond, and the Jewellery Quarter BID.

Our Contribution

While this was a relatively small and straightforward project for us, it required precision and expertise. Transforming the artist’s vision into a tangible structure involved extensive CAD modelling and the application of our specialised metal bending techniques. One of the most complex aspects of the design was the Edison screw thread at the base of the sculpture. Unlike standard symmetrical designs with a consistent pitch, this element required an asymmetrical shape with a dynamically changing pitch. Leveraging our years of experience in helical bending—typically used for industrial heat exchangers and architectural staircases—we adapted our unique tooling to accommodate the required inconsistencies, ensuring a flawless final product. Paul Middleton, Business Development Manager at Angle Ring, commented: “To turn the artist’s vision into a physical design required several hours of CAD work and then the expertise of our skilled operators, who have over 30 years of experience, to create the smooth, constantly changing shape. The Edison screw thread at the bottom posed additional challenges. While we have spent years perfecting our helical bending techniques for industrial and architectural applications, forcing inconsistency into the design required the knowledge of our experienced team.”

Collaboration & Execution

• Client: Taylex Group
• Fabrication: Code 14 Ltd
• Commissioning Body: Colmore BID
• Location: Newhall Square, Birmingham
• Technical Design Support: RAWLS
• Creative Agency: Rough Diamond

This installation is now a permanent fixture, inviting visitors and residents to engage with the city’s creative legacy and envision their own ideas taking shape.

Showcasing Our Work

On February 18th 2025, Angle Ring was invited by Taylex Group to participate in an on-site interview as part of their PR efforts. Our team was filmed discussing the technical aspects of our involvement, highlighting the craftsmanship and problem-solving that went into this unique structure.

Conclusion

The ‘Ideas Happen Here‘ installation is a testament to Birmingham’s rich history of creativity and innovation. Angle Ring is proud to have played a role in bringing this vision to life, demonstrating once again our expertise in precision metal bending and our ability to tackle complex design challenges. Photo Copyright- Taylex Group