The Swedish architecture studio Visiondivision, run by Andres Berensson and Ulf Mejergren, was founded in 2005.
In October 2010, it won first prize in a competition for the design of an original drinking fountain for London’s parks.
Inspired by the city’s gloomy weather and frequent rainfall, the architects captured their simple but original idea in an “upside-down image”.
The umbrella plays the role of the basin, while the cloud and the raindrops form the base, together making up a source of drinking water.
The lightning bolt and the cloud at the base are lit at night, with the aim of attracting thirsty park visitors.
In the original design, the external pipes are thicker so that they can “withstand” any vandalism, the basin is made of plastic and the base of concrete. The materials can, however, be varied according to the desired quality and, by extension, the cost, which will also determine the fountain’s lifespan.
The umbrella has been created in a variety of designs with countless colour combinations, to be chosen according to the location of each park.
Text: Renata Mathioudaki
