© Copyright Robin Drayton and licensed for reuse under the Creative Commons Licence
CASE STUDY / PUBLIC REALM
Newport City Council | Wales
Two 200cm Aterno stainless steel spheres were supplied for Newport's public-realm redevelopment ahead of the 2010 Ryder Cup, later finding a new life elsewhere in the city.
Newport, Wales • Public Space • 2 × 200cm Stainless Steel Spheres
01 ORIGINAL LOCATION
John Frost Square
Newport, Wales
02 INSTALLATION
2 × 200cm Spheres
Aterno stainless steel water features
03 PROJECT CONTEXT
Installed for 2010
Ahead of the Ryder Cup at nearby Celtic Manor
THE ORIGINAL INSTALLATION
Two large spheres for a city-centre redevelopment.
WaterFeatures.com supplied two Aterno 200cm Stainless Steel Sphere Water Features for John Frost Square in Newport.
The installation formed part of redevelopment work carried out ahead of the 2010 Ryder Cup, which was hosted at nearby Celtic Manor.
At 2 metres in diameter, the polished steel spheres were substantial enough to create a strong focal point within the public space.
A SECOND LIFE
Recommissioned as the Commemorative Globes.
The spheres were later relocated within Newport — one to the banks of the River Usk and the other to the University of South Wales.
In 2023 they were recommissioned to commemorate the Coronation of King Charles III and became known as the Commemorative Globes.
They no longer operate as water features, but remain as ornamental stainless steel pieces whose mirrored surfaces reflect their new surroundings.
PROJECT DETAILS
Built for scale — and adaptable enough to endure.
The project demonstrates how a large stainless steel sphere can move beyond its original water-feature role and continue to work as a standalone sculptural object.
01 SCALE
Each sphere measures 200cm in diameter, giving the pair significant visual presence in an open public setting.
02 MIRRORED FINISH
Polished stainless steel allows the surrounding architecture, sky and landscape to become part of the visual effect.
03 REUSE
The spheres were relocated and recommissioned rather than removed from the city altogether.
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