Brass PlaceMarkers
Scott Eunson & Shelby Gagnon - Thunder Bay
Thunder Bay Particles - Medicine Wheels (2025)
PlaceMarkers support community engagement through thoughtful design, durable materials, and site-specific customization.
PlaceMarkers enhance placemaking, provide visual identity and storytelling of a place through site-specific imagery in a wide variety of designs and layouts. Practical applications include: wayfinding, logos or even QR codes.
PlaceMarkers can be installed directly into any hardscape surface. The material allows for outstanding durability, without creating any obstacles or barriers to general public use and maintenance.
FEATURES
Highly customizable for contextual approach in design as well as layout
Installed 1mm below the surrounding grade, markers are safe from snow clearing
Outstanding durability, will likely outlast the surface they are installed in, extraction and re-installation is possible
MATERIALS
3/8” (10mm) thick brass plate (Muntz metal alloy)
Brass anchoring pins
Withstands harsh salting in the winter
DIMENSIONS
2.5” to 6” (64 to 150mm) diameter circles
Design sources
Photographs
Historical maps
Text / Logos
QR codes
Original art works
Natural patterns
Historical photographs
Natural forms
Design process
Almost any image, drawing or photograph can be machined 1mm deep into the Brass surface. A dark patina is given to the pieces and then rubbed away to deepen the contrast and highlight the reflective surfaces.
Original Image
Black & White edit
Heightfield mesh
Finished patinated piece
Installation
Each piece is installed by coring a series of concentric holes, creating a shallow, circular pocket. Extra, deeper anchor holes are drilled and the Brass is grouted permanently in place, 1mm under the surface, to avoid Snowplow blades and other damage.
