INSPIRATION FOR THE DIANA MEMORIAL FOUNTAIN
The design aims to reflect Diana's life, water flows from the highest point in two directions as it cascades, swirls and bubbles before meeting in a calm pool at the bottom.
The Memorial also symbolises Diana's quality and openness.
There are three bridges where you can cross the water and go right to the heart of the fountain.
It was designed to express Diana's spirit and love of children.[
The two sides were intended to show the two sides of Diana's life, both happy times and turmoil
As Diana was a contemporary and accessible princess, the fountain's goal was to allow people access to the structure and to the water for quiet wading and contemplation.
Design and Construction Faults and Remedial Actions
Rory Coonan, the brains behind Nesta (National Endowment for Science, Technology and Arts), described the fountain as "inherently unsafe." "The problem with the Diana design is that its dangers are not apparent to the user.
Supervision of children is difficult because the structure is too expansive." and said the latest changes were "bolt-on" measures: "They are an attempt to put sticking plaster on a poor design.
The memorial was shut on July 22 after three people slipped and hurt themselves. That came after a series of closures caused by a blocked pump, and flooding when leaves blocked drains after stormy weather
Under the new guidelines, drawn up with the help of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, people will be asked not to walk or run in the water. But they will be allowed to paddle their feet and dip their hands while sitting on the sides of the £3.6m feature.
The fountain was designed by the American architect Kathryn Gustafson as a tribute to Diana, nearly seven years after her death in a car crash in Paris.
Greg McErlean, the head of major projects for the Royal Parks, said the problems stemmed from overcrowding and people taking their interaction with the fountain too far.
- Health and safety experts were called in, with design and construction teams, and the fountain water was switched off on July 22 while the investigation, resulting in today's new guidelines, was carried out.
When Good Practice = Best Practice
• The implementation, design and construction team should
understand and commit to the commercial, legal and moral
benefits of inclusive environments.
• Appoint an appropriate project Management Team and:
(a) Empower them to act effectively within the project structure
in the interests of access; and
(b) Pay a fee for the services the Management Team will have
To undertake. Do not deem the services to be included within a
Designer's existing appointment.
• Actively consider and integrate access issues at all stages of
the project briefing process.
• Through the proactive and consistent contributions of the key
Participants, convert the access requirements of the project
Briefs into appropriately designed and constructed buildings
that meets the requirements of the briefs.
• Review projects upon completion and use any lessons learned
for enhancing the delivery of future projects
