Artist: Juan Pablo Pinto
Designer: Cave Urban
Fabricator: Eveleigh Works
At Town Beach Reserve in Port Macquarie, Heard at Sea serves as both a memorial and a place of reflection. Conceived by Cave Urban and realised in collaboration with Eveleigh Works and Partridge, the project transforms a sculptural concept into a robust structure that will endure the coastal environment.
Partridge was engaged from the early design stages, working closely with Cave Urban to translate the sculptural geometry into an engineered form. The shell-inspired structure, with its curved surfaces and integrated timber bench, required a structural system that could retain the lightness of the design while providing stability under wind and environmental loading. Through detailed finite element modelling, the team identified efficient load paths within the complex geometry and developed a concealed steel framework to support the sculptural skin.
In partnership with Eveleigh Works, who brought exceptional metal fabrication and blacksmithing expertise, Partridge resolved the connections between the structural skeleton and the sculptural surfaces. The bench and foundation interfaces were detailed to allow for material movement and to transfer forces discreetly back into the supporting frame. Each joint and connection was designed with durability in mind, incorporating corrosion-resistant materials and drainage detailing suitable for a marine setting.
The fabrication process combined digital modelling with traditional craftsmanship. Prototyping of critical joints ensured alignment between the digital model and the physical form. Components were trial-assembled at Eveleigh Works before transport and installation at Port Macquarie, where Partridge verified tolerances, alignment, and stability.
Through this collaborative process, Heard at Sea achieves both sculptural grace and structural integrity. The result is a permanent installation that honours lives lost to the sea while demonstrating the integration of art, engineering, and fabrication expertise.
