Blackett Street, 'Parsons Polygon'

1985 by David Hamilton. This brick and tile structure contains a ventilation shaft for the Metro system. The ceramic relief marks the achievements of Sir Charles Parsons (1854-1931), the designer of Turbinia, a turbine powered vessel. The designs pressed into the clay are based on Parson's engineering drawings. Commissioned in 1982 as part of the 'Art on the Metro' scheme run by Tyne and Wear Passenger Transport Executive to enliven the Metro network. Approximately 3m high hexagonal sculpture. Orange terracotta tiles. The patchy orange and brown gives a sense of iron, perhaps of rusty iron. Reasons for being listed: Aesthetic quality, function (an engaging sculpture that obscures the need for a ventilation shaft for the underground Metro tunnel), Historic Interest - praises the achievements of engineer Sir Charles Parsons, Contribution to the public realm. Described by Historic England as 'Tardis-like' and 'like some newly-arrived steam punk fictional machine waiting to interact with the human population'.