London architects Tonkin Liu have built a wind-powered metal flower beside the River Mersey in England. The art installation, dubbed Future Flower, is part of the Waterfront Regeneration Programme. The project aims to regenerate more than 200 acres of former industrial land on the banks of the River Mersey into a modern business park environment and associated leisure facilities, creating 1,100 jobs for the local economy. Future Flower is 46 feet-high (4 meters) and has petals made of perforated galvanised steel. LED lights illuminate the giant flower and are powered by small wind turbines. Anna Liu, director of Tonkin Liu, said: “It is great for us to see the Future Flower rising out of the river bank halfway between industry and nature. The view of the Mersey with the Silver Jubilee Bridge in the distance with the wind-blown reeds in the foreground make a beautiful location. During the day the silver flower will reflect the ever-changing light of the expansive sky and as the sky darkens the flower will glow red to herald the power of the wind.”
