Water and the climate crisis: structural engineering to support public art

Our team of structural engineers has proudly supported a new art installation that explores water and the climate crisis at sites in Wigan and Devon. 

‘Bodies of Water’, by German-Korean artist Anne Duk Hee Jordan, is commissioned and curated by UP Projects working in partnership with National Trust and Wigan Council. It is generously funded by Arts Council England and Art Fund and Vallum Associates, and supported by Goethe-Institut with engineering support from our team here at Civic, including director Andrew Ruck, associate director Laura Norris, associate Charlie Cameron and structural design engineer Pak Yin Lee, from our London studio. The rain chains were donated by Rain Chains Direct.

As Jordan’s first UK project, the art installation is taking place in two locations. The first is Haigh Hall, a historic Grade II* listed country house owned by Wigan Council. The second, A la Ronde, is an 18th-century, 16-sided cottage near Exmouth which is under the ownership of the National Trust.

The commissions see the artist confront the politics of water through an ecological lens. Aimed at raising awareness and inspiring action, the project places an emphasis on the relationship between public art and the climate crisis.

Exploring the notion that water moves in cycles, flowing from the environment through humans and other organisms, place-based partnerships informed the creation of the sculptural works that will harvest, filter and circulate rainwater. 

Both works reference the history of each location, insights of local communities and the specialist knowledge from scientists, researchers and conservation specialists at Exeter University, RSPB and Julie's Bicycle.

Chris Ready, Councillor and cabinet member for communities at Wigan Council: “This is such an exciting announcement for Wigan. Jordan is a world-renowned artist and will bring a creative installation to Haigh that hasn't been seen before. We hope the Hall and Woodland Park will be visited by residents of the borough and far wider. This is part of the wider redevelopment of the hall and park and is a brilliant opportunity to put Haigh on the map as a cultural destination.”

Andrew Ruck, director in our London studio, said: “Creativity can facilitate positive change and is central to how we design as engineers, so it’s fantastic to support this ambitious art installation. The project will explore the critical relationship between water and the climate crisis, an issue we’re committed to addressing through our engineering with nature-based solutions. We’re proud to work with the team and share our expertise in complex structural engineering to bring the story to life for the communities of Wigan and Devon.” 

The installation at A La Ronde was in situ from 4 June to 2 November 2025, and launched for 5 years at Haigh Hall on 13 September 2025.

Our associate director Rhys Williams also took part in a symposium in partnership with Liverpool Biennial to share some of the learnings and features of the project.