feel more comfortable for sitting, chatting, or simply passing through. Crucially, children often engage directly with the cascades and the shallow pool at the base, bringing a sense of play and energy to the space.
“ We were interested in creating a piece that could shift between being contemplative and playful, depending on how people choose to engage with it,” says Mark Nixon, NEON.“ The Fountain offers calm moments through its sound and movement, but it also invites lighthearted interaction, especially from children. That duality felt important for a public space like this.”
Community engagement: A wish for the future The project’ s launch was marked by a powerful community engagement initiative. Working with photographer Cesare De Giglio, NEON, Related Argent, and Barnet Council invited local residents, workers, and visitors to participate in a portrait series. Participants were asked to share a personal wish for the future— a modern echo of the tradition of making a wish at a fountain— which was then displayed in an exhibition. This initiative fostered a strong sense of local ownership, seamlessly embedding the community’ s stories within the public artwork.
LANDSCAPING SERVICES
Technical Sheet
Client: Brent Cross Town, a partnership between Related Argent and Barnet Council Artists / Designers: NEON( Mark Nixon & Viliina Koivisto) Structural Engineers: Structure Workshop Fabrication: The White Wall Company Specialist consultants: Fountains Direct Photography: John Sturrock / Cesare De Giglio themselves
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