A Scottish engineering and design firm was behind the restoration and renovation of the Ross Fountain in Edinburgh’s West Princes Street Gardens.
Edinburgh and Glasgow-based Applied Engineering Design (AED) was responsible for the planning and building warrant applications, as well as the design and civil and structural engineering for the £2 million project.
It dealt with the tunnels, foundations and spaces for the plant that makes the fountain work, as well as the stepped pools, central plinth and details such as waterproofing and site drainage.
Tim Hetherington, director of AED said, “The Ross Fountain is a remarkable work of art and it was a very complicated project. The fountain is like an iceberg – while it is spectacular to look at up above, there is a great deal more going on down below.”
Mr Hetherington said that AED first became involved with the fountain in 2013 when it was asked to undertake a feasibility study regarding stabilisation. Then in 2016 it was asked to undertake the foundation and technical requirements of the restoration.
The renovation was commissioned by the Ross Development Trust and supported by Edinburgh World Heritage.
The project added a new facet to the AED portfolio, Mr Hetherington said. “It was a most unusual, not to say unique project. We certainly now are among the few experts in the country in the intricacies of restoring Victorian fountains.
“The contractor, Kelsen Technical, performed flawlessly and client Norman Springford, formerly of Apex hotels and the Ross Fountain Trust, deserves great credit for driving the project forward.”
