Courage Yard

  • Richard Wolfstrome
Courage Yard is situated in the heart of Shad Thames, London on the Southbank of the River Thames, close to Tower Bridge and the Thames Path walkway. The area has a vibrant mix of residential and office occupiers along with established cafés and restaurants.
Named after the Courage Brewery, which was the site for the original brewery; founded here in 1787 and sold in 1982.
Commissioned by developers Columbia Threadneedle Investments through project managers This Solid Ground, I was commissioned to develop an artistic intervention for the site that would engage with residents and visitors, and reflect something unique about the place.
Taking inspiration from the important place heritage, I used the Courage Brewery symbol – the cockerel – to help inform what became the final design solution.
57 ‘giant’ cockerel feet have been installed around the site; starting trails at each entrance which encourage movement into the centre of the new development, creating an air of surprise, inquiry and exploration.
Made from brass with a pattern detail for grip, the feet were fabricated and installed by Standard 8 – 228 holes drilled for 57 feet glued and laid into place.