Floating Tap Sculpture. Ypres, Belgium

The practicalities and logistical benefits of the roundabout take on a mysterious and playful tone in the Floating Tap sculpture, of Ypres, Belgium. The appearance of the giant faucet suspended unaided above the ground elevates the concept of circular junctions from dull, to whimsical.

While the fantasy of a hovering tap certainly tickles the imagination, the effect is executed through shrewd and simple planning, along with a predisposition for good-natured trickery. To maintain the illusion, a clear pipe supports the sculpture, and funnels a steady stream of water up towards it.

The resulting pressure causes the water to exit down the sides of the pipe, and its turbulent aesthetic makes the viewer believe that the liquid is actually pouring out of the tap itself. While various disembodied tap structures are dotted throughout the world, placing one above a roundabout is a unique gesture.

Image provided by Ben Sutherland