A MELKSHAM company has played a key role in the design of The Arches of Oman, a 12-metre high water and steel sculpture by inspirational artist Giles Rayner.

Designed and developed in the UK, the ground-breaking structure has been unveiled at the Royal Opera House in Muscat, Oman.

Generative Parametrics, based in Melksham, played a key part in the design engineering. The double curvature of the sculpture required the firm’s highly specialist 3D modelling and design engineering skills.

The company took Giles Rayner’s concept and developed it for fabrication, designing all components from the flat and curved surfaces, the nozzle housing and all other elements within the sculpture.

Managing director Alex Groffman said: "It was a unique project for us and a one-off sculpture. Usually, we are involved in automotive projects. It was great to showcase our design engineering skills on a world stage."

The sculpture is formed from Duplex, a stainless steel that is specified for extreme environments.

Julian Glyn-Owen, the Commission Director for the artist, said: “Duplex provides enormous structural surface strength for the sculpture, the surface finish Giles and the client desired, and anti-corrosive properties needed in this coastal environment.”

It is anticipated the extraordinary work of art will become an iconic symbol not only in Muscat, but in the wider Middle East.

Stephen Watson, responsible for fabrication of the sculpture, said “Julian and Giles were highly motivated producing this large art piece.

“There was a strong team ethic from the outset; pooling ideas in group working sessions all over the UK. We frequently worked intensively together to develop solutions to some significant problems.

“This team was to be active throughout the three years of work and it has been a pleasure to have achieved such success with a delightful client in GR Sculpture Ltd and their design engineers, Generative Parametrics.”

At its location, next to next to The Royal Opera House, the country’s premier venue for musical arts and culture, the new sculpture offers unique views from all surrounding approaches.

The sculpture is set in purpose-built gardens featuring a purpose-built pool, 70 water jets, a subterranean plant room and two kilometres of hydraulic hoses.

Its jets provide four distinct patterns of water that project out of the piece and into the pool below.