Bespoke Solar Posts & Key Mechanism – Warkworth Castle

With much of its stone still standing after more than 800 years, Warkworth Castle has been a popular visitor attraction since opening to the public in the 18th Century. New additions to an ancient heritage monument such as this require a special approach… enter Studio Wignall & Moore, an award winning design firm that includes architects and makers.

They produce unique experiences offering original designs based on an appreciation of (and sensitivity to) architecture, art and history. Commissioned to develop new interpretation at Warkworth Castle they came to us to produce the hardware required to make their designs a reality.

The sculpture pictured above was inspired by a medieval padlock and evokes interpretive character William Stowe and his role in protecting Warkworth Castle. Visitors turn the key with a satisfying ‘clunk’ to activate audio – a poetic description of the tower. The lock body blends into the surroundings with polished stainless steel, while solar panels in the rear power the internals.

Dotted around the castle are a series of information panels detailing a different character’s journey which visitors can choose to follow. Each journey begins with a bespoke audio pillar, created using our Solar Audio Post electronics, these allow visitors to ‘meet’ each character and hear their words, written by award-winning author and poet Eley Williams.

The results speak for themselves, as Bradley Moore, Founding Director at Studio Wignall & Moore says;

“Our project required bespoke elements with particular sensitivity to suit the listed environment. Blackbox-av were fantastic in helping solve design issues along the way to give us the perfect product. Install was very straightforward and the final result is exceptional.”