El Alamein Fountain, War memorial fountain in Kings Cross, Australia
The El Alamein Fountain is a modern memorial in Fitzroy Gardens that features a bronze sphere with fine spray nozzles set on a hexagonal base. The structure uses brass pipes and specialized spray heads to create a sphere-shaped water pattern that shifts with air currents.
The memorial was built to honor the Australian 9th Division, which fought in two decisive battles at El Alamein in Egypt during the war. The structure itself was designed in 1964 by architect Bob Woodward, who received an award from the New South Wales Institute of Architects for this work.
The name recalls the Battle of El Alamein, where Australian soldiers fought and died during World War II. This place now serves as a quiet memorial where visitors can honor the memory of those soldiers.
The memorial stands at the intersection of Darlinghurst Road and Macleay Street in an easily accessible location. It features a drinking water station and is lit at night, making it accessible and visible at any time of day.
The water spray effect is created by a clever arrangement of brass pipes and specialized nozzles that together form a shifting sphere shape. This technical design was innovative for its era and shows how architecture can represent movement through water in real time.
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