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Somerset House - Water Feature

Somerset House is one of Britain's greatest historic buildings, built on the site of a 16th century royal palace. Somerset House is the masterpiece of Sir William Chambers, architectural tutor and advisor to King George III.

It has close to 1000 rooms and was built to accommodate government offices, learned societies, and above all the Navy Office.

Until recently the public were denied access, with the Inland Revenue's car park occupying the magnificent courtyard.

The Edmond J Safra Fountain Court, at the heart of Somerset House, is the first major public fountains to be commissioned in London since Sir Charles Barry's famous fountains in Trafalgar Square were built in 1845.

The design of the fountains is based on a geometric pattern of fifty-five vertical jets of water, which spring up from the granite paving to animate William Chambers' magnificent courtyard with a choreographed fountain display.

Each of the jets are mounted within stainless steel housings sunk into the granite courtyard and lit using fibre optics, so that when the fountains are turned off, the area is left completely clear for use as a performance venue.

The necessary pumping system (comprising of 11 pumps) and water storage is located in a hidden plant room below the courtyard.

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