THE ACORN - Water Harvesting along Beelines Way

121 Collective worked with Friends of Beeline Way, a volunteer group based in New Malden, who sought to capture rainwater to support several small-scale rewilding initiatives along the Beeline Cycle Way.

121's role encompassed sourcing funding through the local council, developing the concept design, and coordinating the delivery and fabrication of the water harvesting system. Adapting the existing site conditions, 121 Collective designed a system that "dished" and "carved" the ground and retaining wall to guide surface water through a series of outlets. This adaptation directed water flow along stepped guttering that feeds a 2,000-liter water butt.

In collaboration with local residents, 121 Collective facilitated the collective dressing and decoration of the water butt, using various tones of willow to create a "Giant Acorn." This "Giant Acorn" was constructed in partnership with Two Circle Design through a community-making process, inviting local residents to learn willow weaving and foster a strong sense of ownership of the site and its surrounding context.