Lace Market Square, in the distinctive historic quarter of the city, will feature Nottingham's first display of truly integrated landscape and art.

The distinctive approach to landscape as art is the most important feature of the development's 11,000 sq ft public piazza designed by local award - winning landscape architect, Fiona Heron, from Nottingham art and design partnership Wolfgang and Heron.

The award-winning duo of Wolfgang Buttress and Fiona Heron (winner of The Lord Mayor's Urban Design Award for the Park Rock landscape on Castle Boulevard) are well known for their innovative, contemporary designs - they created the revolving sculpture that stands in front of the National Ice Centre and the forthcoming 12 metre feather "A Spire for Mansfield" to be unveiled in November.

Part of the design for Lace Market Square, which is currently under construction, includes a stainless steel mesh wall hanging, an unfolding sculpture which will appear to flow down the side of the five floor apartment building elevation facing the piazza.

The intricate 'unfolding' design process of the hanging textile has never been attempted before, providing a unique element in the overall unity of art and design in the square.

Fiona Heron comments: "The wall hanging will be an integral piece of artwork to the square's overall creative concept of 'landscape ~ art'. The square reaches beyond the typical tradition of landscape design with featured public art. Landscape architecture and fine art are enfolded here to create a total work of art. It is not a square with tagged - on art. I describe it as 'landscape ~ art'."

Constructed at architectural metalwork designers, Smith of Derby, who have been designing and manufacturing architectural features and timepieces for over 150 years, special metal rollers have had to be constructed to help achieve the 'warp and weft' effect of the 20m long and 1.3m wide metal sculpture. Once on the building elevation, it will cover a space of 11m, to soften the expanse of wall.

Jim Foster, from Smith of Derby adds: "We are delighted to be involved in the production of a new and unique artistic construction for what will be an innovative development, where a fresh outlook on aesthetics will make an all important difference to public and the way they think about outdoor spaces."

The wall hanging is just one major part of the overall design scheme of the square, which will feature the interweaving of natural and sculptural trees, encircled by bronze and stainless steel casing around the trunks, alongside the eagerly awaited 'Handkerchief Tree', whose lace handkerchief 'leaves' will encompass the overall design of this beautiful tree native to China.

The £10m contemporary mixed use development, in the heart of the Lace Market, will be the first to feature a central open space of this kind in this prestigious part of the city, following the completion of the £7m redevelopment of Old Market Square.

For tranquil evenings of al fresco dining to the daytime ambience of café culture or simply as a place to relax, the square's unique artistic design of sculptural metal trees, green foliage and high quality seating and paving will certainly mark it as the city's most chic hangout, upon its completion in late Spring.

ENDS

For further PR information contact Kathryn Greenwood at Eden PR on 0115 852 4717, fax 0115 950 9175 or email Kathryn@edenpr.co.uk