Context

Goodmans Fields is a multi-award-winning development situated in two acres of gardens, complete with six bronze horses and water features by Ustigate that won the PMSA Marsh Award for Excellence in Public Fountains in 2016.

Designed by sculptor Hamish Mackie, the Goodmans Fields Horses are inspired by the London livery that existed in the same location in 1598 and incorporates an Andalusian Stallion, Russian Cross Arab, European Warmblood, Irish Cob, Thoroughbred Cross Shire and Thoroughbred.

Work undertaken

Ustigate designed and installed the animated water features that bring Hamish Mackie's Goodmans Fields Horses to life. This award-winning public art complements the past and present, highlighting London’s rich equine history and gratitude for a city that was originally built by man and horse alone.

Ustigate also designed and installed an attractive cascading water feature to sit amongst Murdoch Wickham’s beautifully landscaped spaces on the first floor.

To enable the mock-up testing at Ustigate’s testing facility in Kent, Hamish created GRP water interface parts of the horse's hooves and belly. A range of jets were trialled to replicate the water interactions associated with horses galloping through shallow water and a horse wading through water up to its middle.

The mock-up testing enabled calculations of the spray zones to ensure all water would be retained in the pool area; as well as true-to-life water effects to accompany the Goodmans Fields Horses through their various stages of movement and differing water depths.

The final installation includes a pumping system that produces a pulsing effect against the horse’s belly and custom-built hoof jets that produce the most realistic water effects for the horses escaping at speed through shallow water.

Result

Research, mock-up testing and great collaborative team work enabled the Goodmans Fields project to be completed to the highest specification. Hamish’s vision for Goodmans Fields Horses was delivered with remarkable attention to detail, resulting in a lifelike appearance in fruition.