这个项目是一个难得的机会，我们意识到不能错过。最初的灵感来自于2005年夏天去萨斯卡通的旅行。我们有一些旅行的视频素材，其中捕捉了路边摇曳的草和湖畔高大的摇曳云杉的场景。很快我们就开始草图和测试不同的想法。在设计过程中，有很多先例为我们指引方向。

灵感

《Prairie Wind》的灵感来源于在萨斯喀彻温省广袤草原上生长的风和草。观看草地在风中摇曳的经历是所有萨斯喀彻温人民共享的。原住民医疗轮盘这一强大的形式也是景观设计概念的重要源泉。

草图

我们画出草图并测试了许多想法，以获得最终的概念。这一系列的草图是导致最终设计的一系列想法中的第一个。

模型

以下是我们在项目设计阶段使用的一些模型。它们对我们确定杆子的最佳间距和高度非常有用，在向他人描述项目时也非常有用。内置灯的模型是由英国伦敦的A-Models专业制造的。这非常有效地展示了地面上的草的图案，并展示了在晚上杆子将如何被照亮。

效果图

计算机生成的效果图是一种有效的方式，可以给人留下地标在其实际环境中的印象。左边的市场场景是由来自我们英国伦敦当地花卉市场的图像和人组成的:哥伦比亚路花卉市场。日落的渲染是基于我们的朋友Brian Kolisnyk拍摄的照片。

竞争

比赛是这个项目非常激动人心的阶段。还有其他五个设计都具有独特而有趣的品质。我们对比赛在社区中产生的热情印象最深刻。许多人参观了展示模特的市政厅，许多报纸文章和广播节目都致力于讨论提交的作品。

《Prairie Wind》位于雷迈现代艺术博物馆的入口处，是一个显著的巨大市政地标和综合公共空间，以纪念萨斯卡通市建城100周年。

25根竿杆聚集在一起，与第二大街的轴线对齐。它们在市中心的萨斯卡通和河畔广场之间构成了视觉联系，白天和晚上都可以在南萨斯喀彻温河谷的全长范围内看到。这座雕塑的灵感来源于在萨斯喀彻温草原上丰富生长的草。在有风的日子里，纤细的钢管可以看到前后摇曳。

We realised this project was an opportunity not to miss. The initial inspiration came from a summer trip to Saskatoon in 2005. We had some video footage of that trip where he captured sequences of swaying grasses along the road side and some footage from the lake of the tall swaying spruces. Soon we were sketching and testing different ideas. There are for sure many precedents which have guided the design process.

Inspiration

Prairie Wind was inspired by the wind and prarie grasses that grow in abundance in the Saskatchewan landscape. The experience of watching a field of grass swaying in the wind is one that is shared by all Saskatchewan people. The powerful form of the aboriginal medicine wheel was also an important source for the landscaping concept.

Sketches

We sketched out and tested many ideas to get to the final concept. These series of sketches are the first ones in a train of thought that led to the eventual design.

Models

Here are a few of the models we used in the design phase of the project. They were very useful for us to determine the best spacing and height of the poles and also very useful in describing the project to others. The model with the built-in light was built professionally by A-Models in London, England. This was very effective in showing the grass pattern on the ground and showing how the poles would be illuminated in the evening.

Renderings

The computer generated renderings were an effective way to give an impression of what the landmark would like in its actual context. The market scene on the left was constructed from images and people from our local flower market in London, England: Columbia Road Flower Market. The sunset rendering was based on a photograph taken by our friend Brian Kolisnyk.

Competition

The competition was a very exciting phase of this project. There were five other designs that all possessed unique and interesting qualities. We were most impressed with the enthusiasm that the competition generated in the community. Many people visited City Hall where the models were on display and numerous newspaper articles and radio shows were devoted to discussing the submitted entries.

Located at the entrance of the Remai Modern public art museum, Prairie Wind is a prominent monumental civic landmark and integrated public space created in recognition of Saskatoon’s centenary. Positioned on axis with 2nd Avenue, the cluster of 25 poles create a visual connection between downtown Saskatoon and River Landing,  is visible along the length of the South Saskatchewan River valley, day and night. The sculpture draws inspiration from the prairie grasses that grow in abundance on the Saskatchewan prairie. On windy days the slender steel poles can be seen moving back and forth.