Water features : an architectural material

Abstract

How can water, the most common substance on earth, manage to create moods and atmospheres that appeal to one's feelings? From the earliest civilizations known till today, water was and still is a vital element in our lives. Interestingly enough its uses are many. From a mere thirst quencher to a profound holy symbol to an architectural material, water is a desirable medium which deepens one's sensations. Throughout this study one will notice how water's numerous characteristics have affected mankind throughout the ages. One will see how architecture designed in accordance to water's parameters may have different motives varying from commemorative, refreshing, propagandist or religious. Whichever motive, water remains a medium which enlivens public and work spaces. It succeeds in doing so under numerous forms; small water features to a theater d'eau to a purposely designed artificial lake for functional and aesthetic reasons. This multifold of forms and purposes makes water a flexible and exciting medium to work with. Either as a soothing trickle or a surging splash, water features are capable of manipulating moods and evoking the senses. This is only possible with the innovative and capable use of this material. And hence the name of this study: Water Features - An architectural material.