ronald van der meijs’ drop-shaped installation in dutch forest returns tap water to nature

H2O I will give it back to you every day by Ronald van der Meijs

Following the combined effects of climate change, excessive human water consumption, and the raised demands of drinking water suppliers, Ronald van der Meijs’ sculpture sits in the Utrechtse Heuvelrug nature reserve as a symbol of hope. Against this backdrop, low groundwater levels in Dutch forests have led to severe drought, impacting the natural environment and its resources. In response, ‘H2O I will give it back to you every day’ is an art installation that connects to Zeist’s water supply network, retrieving up to 130 liters, and returning it to sustain the natural landscape each day.

sculpture with black Azobe wooden service hatch | all images courtesy of Ronald van der Meijs

a symbol of hope in the face of climate change

The Zeister forest, a historical natural water source in the Dutch forests, no longer provides the necessary sustenance, resulting in trees that depend on the groundwater dying off. Both trees and humans rely on intricate networks of pipes hidden beneath the Earth’s surface to distribute and utilize water, exhibiting a parallel between human engineering and nature’s root systems.

As Ronald van der Meijs’ artwork links to Zeist’s water supply network, it undergoes a process of replenishment in six sequences. This is made possible through a sprinkler installation that sprays against the inside of the sculpture and releases its water through a network of water pipes. The metal cage-like sound it resonates alludes to the daunting challenges faced by climate change, amplified by its 5mm thick stainless steel sheet metal framework, lending it an aesthetic yet durable appeal amid the forest.

The design process began with constructing wooden scale models which were there translated into intricate 3D drawings in a computer environment, enabling precision laser cutting for each segment. The complex installation was then put together from a series of stainless steel tubes, cut from 1500 meters of waterpipe, hand-shaped with a bending tool.

sited in the historical water source in the forest of Zeist

the brass taps connect the stainless steel water tubes, alluding to the drinking water system at home

low water level in the water source during summer

laser cut 5mm stainless steel sheet construction

in order to get the tubes in a parallel position they have to be attached with a bit of tension

detail of the nose shape

installation process in a forest affected by drought

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project info:

name: H20 I will give it back to you every day
designer: Ronald van der Meijs

client: Fluid Future Foundation

owner: Utrechts Landschap Netherlands

location: Zeister forest, the Netherlands

designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: ravail khan | designboom