The last of six multi-layered glass columns has now been fired and removed from the kiln at Sunderland’s National Glass Centre (NGC) and will take pride of place in the new Museum of Liverpool, on the city’s Pier Head, which opens next year.

University of Sunderland senior research fellow Jeffrey Sarmiento and lecturer Inge Panneels were selected to create the monumental piece of glass art two years ago after entering a national competition which coincided with Liverpool’s European Capital of Culture 2008 celebrations.

The people of Liverpool voted on the geographical and cultural highlights of the city through online and mail submissions which were translated by Inge and Jeffrey at the NGC, embedding centuries of the city’s heritage and cultural highlights into each layer of glass.

And project organisers are so pleased with the results that they have decided to place the six glass columns, which weigh 100 kilos each and stand at 2.20m high, in one of the museum’s two largest galleries, overlooking Liverpool’s famous Three Graces which include the Liver Building.

Inge said: “The final column to come out of the kiln this month was a major milestone in what has been an incredible project for the university.

“It has been technically and physically demanding at times, but thanks to the efforts of Jeff, several of our interns and students, we are now ahead of schedule to finish the sculpture. It’s just a matter of polishing the edges of the columns which should be completed by August.”

She added: “For me, this has been the most complex and most technically demanding projects I’ve worked on and without the world-class university glass and ceramics facilities, we would not even have contemplated this piece.

“It has certainly changed the way I would like to work in the future. I know that for Jeff, this project will become an integral part of his PhD.”

“For the University, hopefully, this means some excellent exposure. It has certainly raised a lot of interest within the international glass community.”

The layers of glass are printed with various colourful images, and reveal different aspects of Liverpool life.

Jeffrey said: “The overall idea is to use the street map as a sort of skeleton within which images, texts and patterns will be held. When seen in layers the overall work gives an idea of the city’s cultural history and identity.

“I am very proud to have been a part of this project, it’s been quite a journey, and it was a real adrenalin rush when the final glass column came out of the kiln.”

Jeffrey and Inge say the highlights of the project have been the discussions they’ve had with the Museum of Liverpool team and television producer and screenwriter Phil Redmond, Chair of National Museums Liverpool.

Another highlight was the moment all staff and students were able to lay out the six columns and view them together for the first time.

Janet Dugdale, director of urban history for the Museum of Liverpool said: “It’s fantastic to have been involved in such a project, particularly as the public have had so much input in its content.

“The Museum of Liverpool is devoted to telling to story of the city and its people, and it’s essential that people feel part of it. We are looking forward to the Liverpool Map being on show in the new museum, for everyone to enjoy it.”

The Liverpool Map is hosted by Liverpool Museum, partnered with Open Culture, the Liverpool Daily Post and sponsored by Phil and Alexis Redmond.

Watch the Liverpool Map slideshow

Visit the Daily Post’s Liverpool Map Blog to follow progress!