Watermark

Memorial for Children, Royal Hospital for Women’s Park, Paddington.

The memorial is a series of linear concrete forms that build on the existing geometry of pathways and planting in the park. These forms act as points of connection, bringing visitors into the space of the memorial from the upper level terrace and Brown Street.

The concrete structure consists of two long, rectilinear forms that suggest a bench merging with a tilted chalkboard.  An oxidised copper wall forms the focus of the memorial and is composed of embossed text that speaks of the memories of childhood.

Water is channelled from the copper wall through a shallow trough at the junction of the two intersecting forms. The forms are minimal, low in height and sited in an existing landscaped corner of the park.

The water channel invites spontaneous interaction, visitors dipping their fingers in the shallow stream and leaving messages on the smooth concrete wall.  The wall becomes a site for ephemeral memory making and spontaneous play, for loss to be recognised and life to be celebrated.