Hi, Patrick, how are you?

 

Very well, David. And yourself?

 

I'm very well. I wanted to chat with you about OASE, and all the things that you do. But for people who don't know the company, could you just give us a very quick intro to your broad spectrum of work?

 

For sure. OASE formally, was started 75 years ago in Hörstel in Germany, predominantly creating pumps for the agricultural industry. They've really developed over those 75 years to be leading the aquatic industry – water bodies, whether that is lakes or rivers – to maintain and create beautiful spaces which are clean and also thrive in terms of biodiversity. So, we've got two sides. I'm predominantly on the fountain technology side, which is to develop beautiful spaces within our urban environments with a focus on creating tranquillity and serenity within those spaces for everybody to enjoy, stop, either just sit down and view the spectacular movement of water that we can create, or to totally immerse themselves and walk through these spaces to cool down. Climate comfort is a big task that we do. Obviously, you've got the engineering side of things, which we pioneer and develop special technical advances to promote spaces that will be challenged because of the climate and the increase in temperatures, which is a factor that we've got to stand up to and address now. We can do that by vaporising the water, and we are doing that with spectacular sculptures. We work with artists to bring these sculptures to life. We've got beautiful places that we've helped develop with our partners to install our equipment, such as the likes of Granary Square in King’s Cross.

 

That was a very clear example of a water feature being used at the very outset, really, of that development, wasn't it, to kick start and improve footfall in that area? Are there trackable metrics that you can observe about how these features improve spaces?

 

Yes. I mean, there's the increase in revenue, which is done by all the actual retailers in the area, and also the opening up of new retail operations within that area. So, it's created a totally new culture now. So, it's not just offices and travel, with Kings Cross station and so forth. It's created a beautiful environment where it's not just for shopping - you've also got eateries and beautiful places to sit down and eat and drink. So, it's a whole new culture that's been promoted, and that is essentially due to people gravitating to that area, especially on hot summer days.  It's called the London Beach now because it's where people will go with picnics and with beach towels and just sit down and stay there for the whole day with the children. 

 

And to a degree - unfortunately - with heat island effects, and generally cities heating up, especially London, I suppose this will come to the fore even more, presumably - the demand for your products in this area?

 

Absolutely. We’re being recognized now as the leaders in our industry to actually complement and work with architects and also clients that want a water feature but struggle to actually understand what can actually be done. My role is to go out there to spread knowledge of OASE and how we've innovated and pioneered smart cutting technology, you know, engineering technology to actually complement and deliver what we really need in these areas. To cool the area down, but also to make it attractive, safe and inviting for everybody, irrespective of any challenges, whether that be physical or mental challenges that anybody has, because the therapeutic value of water is immense.  I'm now working with the National Health; I'm going to be reaching out to Great Ormond Street, Maggie Centres. These are integral areas to have the likes of what we're devising now, which is called empathy spots. My colleague, Joao Branco, has got the vision of bringing these very simplistic aquatic features with greenery, with trees and shrubs and so forth. That's to take away all the clinical aspects of these hospitals, and to create a warmth, and a homely environment. An oasis of beauty.

 

To make them more humane in many ways, I guess.

 

Absolutely yes - that's the whole objective of that. To make it really exciting and inviting for everyone, whether they are 80 or eight years of age. It's irrespective. It's just to create that absolutely spectacular creation for everybody, just to sit down and relax and enjoy.

 

And what's the technological aspect of this? What are the advances being made in this kind of technology? Give me an example of that.

 

It's to create the application, which is going to be in simplicity; very easy to install, and with very low-cost maintenance.  To create something that's going to be sustainable, and also that's going to be there for many, many years to come. So, it's giving you a very robust, bulletproof system that will deliver year on year, decade on decade.

 

But there's no technology in terms of colour or scale?  I saw on your website that you've done some huge water features in the Far East, I think. Is that an area that's in demand too?

 

Yes.  We've devised brand new lighting, LED lighting, which is super-bright but delivers magnificent colours throughout. You can start this up in the early evening, and even in the daytime, we can actually produce light going through the water. So, it's creating and moving beyond the technology that we have now. We're pioneering stuff and innovating all the time to raise the bar to deliver for everyone. 

 

Final question: where are we going to see your products in London next, do you think?

 

We're working with the likes of the City of London Corporation. We're working very tirelessly with them, and they have numerous areas that they would like us to work with them on, and also, we've got loads of architects that have come to us with projects. So, there is going to be a wealth of stuff that's going to come through. 

 

...I won't say a flood...(laughs)

 

I like it!  Yeah. I mean, we can definitely use that, a flood. It's incredibly exciting, because we have to make a firm stand to offer climate comfort within our environment. That's absolutely key. All architects are totally attuned and aligned with us on that and can see the importance that OASE can deliver.

 

Brilliant. Thank you for your time. I look forward to getting a bit cooler next to one of your features in our hot summers to come!

 

Brilliant, David, thanks.