Precious Drop
Drinking Fountain Design for the Parks in the UK
Departing from the concept of a bead of water that rests on a surface, reflecting the surrounding landscape, the proposed drinking fountain design for the Royal Parks competition is a reflective object supported by a stone plinth, giving it a sculpture-like appearance.
Location:
UKType:
Product DesignStatus / Year:
Competition / 2010Size / Materials:
38 x 38 x 107 cm / Mirror polished stainless steel, Cast Portland stoneClient:
The Royal Parks Foundation,
Tiffany & Co. FoundationDrinking fountains have played an important part in London’s history since 1859. The aim of this competition was to design a new drinking fountain for the Royal Parks, that could be extended to other Parks across the UK and worldwide.
The chosen design would be based on aesthetics, robustness, ease of maintenance and installation, sustainability and environmental impact, and affordability.
View of the fountain main components and materials
The concept for the proposed design is a bead of water that rests on a surface, reflecting the surrounding landscape. It is an element that is simple and pure.
To enhance the reflective object, it is supported by a stone plinth, giving it a sculpture-like appearance.
The bead of water translates into a mirror polished stainless steel bowl, with both a convex and concave mirror effect, offering an interplay of reflections between the person who is drinking and the surrounding environment.
View of the drinking fountain’s bowl
The waterspout is flush with the surface of the basin, keeping it smooth, and positioned below the ‘lip’ of the basin to guard against mouth contact, for safe and hygienic use. The basin can also accommodate the refilling of a large bottle.
The drainage holes are arranged in a playful and apparently random manner, representing the splash of water droplets.
Diagram showing the drinking fountain’s main features
The plinth is an archetypal simple shape, square in plan to contrast with the curvature of the bead. It is made of cast Portland stone, London’s historic stone, allowing a hollow section design to be able to house the supporting steel frame and the internal plumbing.
The plinth would be treated against staining and lichen growth, yet it would mature over the years to mellow and blend into the environment.
Collaborators:
Guy Matthews
Consultants:
Artec Engineering, Haddon Stone, Resilica
Awards:
Finalist
