The iconic AKU Fountain on Gele Rijdersplein in Arnhem was officially reopened on Wednesday after a renovation lasting over a year. The national monument was restored to its original state with support from the national government and the province of Gelderland, reconnecting it with the city.
The opening was performed by alderman Bob Roelofs, together with the heirs of architect Henk Brouwer and designer Shinkichi Tajiri. With a joint press of a button, the renewed light and water play of the fountain was activated.
Citys calling card
Bob Roelofs, alderman for the city center: “This beautiful fountain is a calling card of the city. It feels good to see that as a city we have not only managed to preserve this national monument but also embraced it again. The AKU Fountain is once again a nice place where Arnhem residents can meet in the city center.”
During the restoration, the monument was restored to its original state, made accessible, and the fountain was fully inspected. Additionally, the display cases were restored and furnished: one with historical information by Citymarketing Arnhem and one by the heirs of the creators. Besides the restoration of the monument, the surrounding public area was also improved. This means more greenery and an improvement of the temporary bicycle parking at Gele Rijdersplein.
The province of Gelderland and the Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands were involved in financing, design phase, and execution.
Post-war structuralism
The artwork was donated in 1961 by the Algemene Kunstzijde Unie (AKU), an important Arnhem employer and predecessor of the current AkzoNobel. Since then, the AKU ensemble, including the fountain, patio, and pergola, has been inseparably connected to Arnhem. Since 2016, it has been a national monument.