Fountain Simonies Brussels

Public Design | 2017 | Brussels, Belgium

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The design of the fountain was conceived from a creative perspective, engaging with its surroundings, such as the Basilica of Koekelberg, the park, its trees, the neighboring buildings, the traffic, pedestrians, and the three streets converging at the roundabout, all of which emphasize the fountain's placement. The fountain can be appreciated from multiple viewpoints and harmoniously complements the spatial presence of the Basilica of Koekelberg.

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The fountain's foundation was based on a "capsule" shape, which informed the design of the basin. To draw the attention of residents and visitors to the Simonis area and create a connection with this foundational shape, an almond-shaped object hangs above the water's surface.

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The object's form evolved from the interconnections among the three streets, the park, and the sightlines defined by 19th-century buildings – "round" facing the park (nature) and "sharp" facing the Leopold II avenue (architecture).

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In addition to the fountain's design, its appearance references the abstract shape of a cocoa bean, alluding to the history of Belgian chocolate in Koekelberg. On the other hand, the fountain seems to hover above the water's surface due to its composition of glossy steel. This material exhibits a reflective quality, which mirrors the entire environment, including the water, in the bean-shaped structure, further enhanced by four large water jets and multiple smaller ones beneath the bean.

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In the dark, the fountain will illuminate as a whole through specialized lighting elements that imbue the water with color and give the fountain a radiant glow, allowing residents and visitors to enjoy it not only during the day but also in the evening.