Fountain Gratings, Williamson Square

The fountain at Williamson Square is surfaced with cast ductile iron, a material which is durable, beautiful and very traditional in streetscape. Furthermore, it allows a wealth of design and decoration potential. The motif here is inspired by water droplets and concentric ripples. The process of making a pattern and casting the iron suggests a repeating unit, so all of the gratings are the same, but the asymmetrical design offers four orientations to each grating, creating endless mathematical options to the overall arrangement. The result is heavy duty and practical, but also seemed to encapsulate the importance of the seafaring origins of Liverpool’s greatness with the civic pride as the city’s designation as European City of Culture 2008 was announced. The gratings featured on the front cover of Topos issue 67.

“I would expect Camlin Lonsdale to be wholly competent to undertake your commission. Since the Williamson Square project, Liverpool City Council has appointed them to four other significant projects in the city centre. They start commissions with an open mind and no preconceived solutions; they listen carefully to the client and those whom they consult and translate people’s dreams into practical reality with the minimum of fuss and much professionalism.”

Rosey Paul, Principal Public Realm Project Manager, Liverpool City Council

Client

Liverpool City Council

Date

2004 to 2007

Team

FaberMaunsell, lead consultant, engineer, lighting design / EC Harris, quantity surveyor