Project: (2463) Barkers Pool
Client: Wrekin Construction / Sheffield City Council
Installation: 2006
Challenge:
To create a spectacular water feature at Barker’s Pool to commemorate the medieval water reservoir that was located at Barker’s Pool until 1793.
Barker’s Pool is the name of the street located in the centre of Sheffield. The area needed to remain open to the public throughout the installation.
Success:
Award winning Barker’s Pool is home to a Grade II listed war memorial, the City Hall, and two glass encased fountains installed in 2006.
The two 4 metre high fountains at Barker’s Pool are encased in polished and flame textured granite plinths with cast art glass insets measuring 7m². The water pool floats above the coping behind four transparent acrylic beams and the acrylic and glass elements are lined with a combination of blue and green diodes and fibre optics that spectacularly illuminate the water features at night. To match the City Hall and the renovated public city square the seating around the edge of the fountains is finished in Yorkshire stone. The pumps are hidden beneath the fountains and the water treatment and lighting is operated from an independent plant room.
In 2006 Barker’s Pool won Gold at the Town Centre Environment Awards, an event run by the BCSC, now known as Revo.
In 2014 Sheffield City Council turned the fountains yellow to symbolise the colour of the Tour De France winner’s jersey.
In 2017 Sheffield City Council turned the colour of the fountains red to raise awareness for World Aids Day.
