05 Dec 2002 - 01 Jan 2003
Memorial fountain to reflect Diana's qualities
Hyde Park

The design of the permanent memorial to Diana, Princess of Wales, to be built in Hyde Park, London, has been unveiled by The Royal Parks. The design, completed by Gustafson Porter, will be submitted to Westminster City Council for planning permission next week.

It is an enhancement of the outline concept released when Gustafson Porter was announced as winner of the competition to select the design team on 30 July this year.
The memorial will consist of a stone oval fountain containing water. It will measure 80 metres by 50 metres and will be located to the south of the Serpentine, near the Lido.
Kathryn Gustafson of Gustafson Porter explained the concept: "Princess Diana was a contemporary princess and we wanted to design a contemporary fountain to remember her.

"The concept is based upon the qualities of the Princess that were the most loved and cherished. These were inclusiveness and accessibility. It is an environment that you can walk into, be part of. It is a large oval, the size of a football pitch, that is a novel use of water, that is brilliant in the sunlight, that cascades down, that you can touch and you can be interactive with and that you can become part of. We wanted to create an environment in which people can remember Diana, not an icon that they can only look at.

"The fountain also reflects parts of the Princess's life: on one side the water bubbles and effervesces down a gentle slope, whereas on the other side it tumbles down, cascades, then 'rocks and rolls' from side to side in a joyous way, before turning over on itself, perhaps representing the turmoil in her life. Both sides finally flow into a tranquil, peaceful, calm pool."

The scheme will be submitted to Westminster City Council next week. Detailed design and procurement will follow, with work starting on site next year. Completion of the memorial is expected by the summer of 2004.

Description of the Memorial Fountain:

Source
The water will enter the fountain at the highest point of the ring. From there it will run downhill in two directions (east and west).

East
The water will then bounce down a cascade of steps with additional energy pumped into the water flow in the form of water jets on the risers of the steps. This will make the water bounce and jump.
Then the water will enter an area where the granite has been carved in such a way that the water gently rocks and rolls as it travels along a subtle curve. After this there will be a dry crossing point for people to enter the heart of the oval.
After the crossing point the water will re-emerge, picking up momentum before it enters a sharp curve where it will 'swoosh' and 'curl' on the bend before entering a large and tranquil pool.

West
The slope on this side is gentle and the water will calmly bubble along a narrow channel with the assistance of subtle water jets.
As the water travels further, the channel widens out and eventually the water will reach the edge of the landform that has been created. Here it will become a tumbling cascade of white water as it corners over a waterfall.
The water flows from there into the large tranquil pool at the bottom of the ring.

The Tranquil Pool
The water travelling from both east and west will end its journey in a reflective basin at the lowest point of the water feature. The visible surface of the water at this point will be enlivened by special texturing at the bottom of the pool.

Source:
The Royal Parks

For further information contact:
The Royal Parks Press Office T: 020 7298 2128 E: press@royalparks.gsi.gov.uk

Editor's notes:
Millions of Londoners and tourists visit the eight Royal Parks for free each year. The 5,000 acres of carefully conserved historic parkland provide unparalleled opportunities for enjoyment, exploration and healthy living in the heart of the capital.

The Royal Parks are: Bushy Park, Green Park, Greenwich Park, Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens, Regent's Park (with Primrose Hill), Richmond Park and St James's Park.