Stephan Hürlemann has been commissioned by Emmen Water Supply «Wasser Emmen» to design the new drinking fountains for the municipality. They will make high-quality drinking water available to the public at various locations. Stephan Hürlemanns first drinking fountain was inaugurated on 31 August 2022 on Sonnenplatz in Emmen.

Stephan Hürlemann’s design celebrates the precious commodity of water and turns drinking from a public fountain into a pleasant ritual. The choice of material was crucial to him. The terrazzo made of colourful river pebbles (embedded in cement and polished) makes the water glisten in the small basin and gives it visual freshness and clarity. ‘I like the idea that the fountain was carved out of a riverbed’, says the designer. The impression of freshness is enhanced by the splashing sound of the water hitting the small pool. The rim of the fountain is a generous circle, the sides of the basin are rounded and the surfaces carefully polished. This makes touching the fountain and leaning on it when drinking or filling up a bottle an enjoyable experience for passers-by. Since the fountain’s circular body has no particular orientation, it seamlessly fits into any context of the urban built environment. The shape of Hürlemann’s design is somewhat reminiscent of a valve. One could almost think of the fountain as tapping into the rich water supply of the self-proclaimed ‘Wasserschloss Emmen’ and creating a small spring for the residents.

Design by Stephan Hürlemann

Photos: Annett Landsmann