Where did you go for Open Garden Squares Weekend? I joined a walking tour of Mayfair led by my friend Yannick, London Tour Guide extraordinaire. And, in amongst the garden squares, he included this remarkable fountain. It’s by Japanese architect Tadao Ando, it’s outside the Connaught Hotel and it’s probably one of London’s best-kept secrets. Bet you’ve never seen it!
One reason it’s not very well known is because it’s not been there very long. it was completed in 2011, commissioned jointly by the Connaught Hotel and Westminster Council. And it doesn’t advertise itself – it’s perfectly possible to walk past and never realise it’s there, because it’s flat and modest – and silent.
No gushing spouts or rippling falls here – just water trickling down the outside of a peaceful basin and, every fifteen minutes, a gentle hiss and a cloud of water vapour to startle the unwary.
It’s best seen on a sunny day with a gentle wind to ripple the surface and create patterns and textures. Like this:
Ando is from Osaka, a self-taught architect who started out as a boxer, and his focus is on the beauty of simplicity, the art of creating emotion from the organisation of space. His fountain, titled Silence, does just that – I recommend spending some time with it to appreciate its simple complexity.
Oh this looks absolutely wonderful – working/fitting with the buildings and the trees. Thank you for letting us in on this secret, will be taking a look next month when I come up to see the RA Summer Exhibition. Lovely photos as usual.
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Thanks! It’s a bit off the beaten track so unless you go there on purpose it’s easy to miss. Hope you like it!
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It’s on an old route of mine, when I used to work in Dover Street I had a friend that lived behind Selfridges. It looks like it has really made a feature of what I can only remember was a traffic island – I think!
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I wondered what was there before!
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This is fascinating. I don’t really know what Ando has built outside of Japan. Is his name known, do you know?
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Not widely known, but respected by those that do.
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I didn’t realise this was a Tadao Ando work!
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Then you should go on Yannick’s tour and find out more about it!
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simple complexitiy is the right phrase – another thing to see on my next visit to London
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You must have a long list!
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How delightful! I must seek it out. Is it anywhere near Connaught St….I have my dresses selling in a boutique there. Lovely images….
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It’s just off Berkeley Square, so not too far away. It’s lovely on a sunny day.
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What a beautiful, simple and original design.
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Yes, and it’s totally unique.
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Thank you, Fran, I enjoy that corner and the fountain each time I happen to be in the area (also the nearby garden). Glad to hear it’s by Tadao Ando, been a fan of his work since uni. Always a pleasure reading your posts.
Best,
Iancu
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Thank you too, Iancu. I’ll be visiting the fountain again, it’s such a lovely spot.
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