The site for the artwork, a corridor, had become a main entry point to the new North Courtyard building. It bridged a gap of 75 years in the history of LSHTM, from 1928 – when the Portland stone building opened – to 2003. Formerly exterior walls became interior and the basement's subterranean, inner workings were exposed.

Conventionally, these awkward details would be hidden behind a new clean, corporate corridor. Here I collaborated with the school, the architect and the building contractors to reveal and enhance the corridor's unique character, creating a sensory journey through the corridor. This included the design of flooring, ceiling, lighting and the relocation of an original oak door to the precise entry point that divided old from new. This work spanned about 12 months. In this time my ‘conversation’ was first with architects and builders, then with staff, students and visitors.

The bricks were cleaned to reveal subtle colouration. A grid of spray-painted aluminium squares reflects these colours and also references some of the research work of the school e.g. jaundice, malaria and blue tongue fever.

The engraved notices that date sections of the brickwork, vents and other details were manufactured using the traditional methods of JJ Bergin, replicating those found in older parts of the building.

The floor projections are of a malarial mosquito taken by the School's photographer, Dan Salaman. The technology used to throw the insect image from projector-light to floor is recessed in the ceiling and triggered by the walker. Mosquitoes lead you through the space and back again.

This is an artwork that's intentionally visible and invisible at the same time, an animated corridor, a passing through.

Photos reproduced here are by Anne Koerber. Click the small images to see full size.

Art at The London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine