Rain Song – Echo: A Contemporary Steel & Glass Water Feature

Every piece begins in the studio with raw steel. The form is cut, shaped, and welded by hand to create a strong, architectural structure that will hold and guide the movement of water. The steel is designed to last outdoors while maintaining a clean, refined presence within a landscape.

Handmade glass is then integrated into the structure. Each glass element is crafted individually and carefully set into the steel form. The glass adds depth and colour, but it also plays a functional role. It captures and refracts light, allowing the water to interact with both material and environment throughout the day.

The internal water system is concealed within the sculpture. Pumps and reservoirs are built into the design so that the movement of water appears natural and uninterrupted. Considerable time is spent refining how the water flows. The sound, the fall, and the way droplets catch the surface all matter. The aim is to create a controlled, consistent movement that feels effortless.

One of the most surprising aspects of these pieces is how dramatically they change with light. In full daylight, the steel and glass form feels strong and sculptural. In the late afternoon, when the sun is lower, the water begins to reflect and shimmer. At night, when lit, the moving water becomes the focal point. The glass glows subtly, but it is the water that brings the entire piece to life.

Recently, a short video of one of our Rain Song water features reached over one million views. For a small studio that makes each piece by hand, that level of response was unexpected and deeply appreciated. Everything produced at Tread Sculptures is created one piece at a time. There is no mass production. Each sculpture is built with care, and seeing that resonate with people around the world has been genuinely encouraging.

Rain Song – Echo works equally well in contemporary architectural settings and natural garden environments. Its clean steel structure gives it presence, while the movement of water softens and animates the space around it. It is designed to complement its surroundings rather than compete with them.

This new Rain Song – Bush Chorus began with a simple client request: could we bring the gum leaf detail from our smaller Alkira pieces into a full-sized Rain Song water feature?

We said yes, and then took the idea further.

Handmade glass gum leaves and blossoms are now worked directly into the steel structure. They catch the light during the day and sit naturally alongside the sound of falling water. The detail connects the piece more closely to the Australian landscape while keeping the clean, contemporary strength of the Rain Song form.

While this is another Rain Song heading out into the world, these remain boutique works. This is only the third large version we have made. Each one is built slowly and individually in the workshop. Nothing is rushed and nothing is repeated exactly.

At its core, Rain Song – Echo is about creating a structure that allows water, light and material to work together. The steel provides strength. The glass adds detail and depth. The water brings movement and sound. Together, they form a sculptural water feature that continues to shift and respond to its environment throughout the day and across the seasons.

Made by hand in Bend of Islands, Rain Song – Echo reflects the ongoing commitment at Tread Sculptures to thoughtful design, durable materials and carefully crafted outdoor sculpture. Rare by design. Made by hand.