How Water Fountains are Designed

In modern times water fountains serve to artistically present water in motion; offering an aesthetically pleasing sight and at the same time the water in motion provides a calming sound effect. However, in ancient Roman times, water fountains served a practical purpose. They were used to distribute the water into the ancient towns. The water was brought into the city through aqueducts and the fountains which were gravity fed acted as the aqueduct water pressure reliever while simultaneously serving as a water source. The practical task of the water fountain did not deter the artists from designing fountains with elaborate forms and interesting water dispensing systems. The Romans, it seems, had an understanding on how to harness the beauty of simple flowing water and to use it to create designs that have continued to amaze fountain visitors over the ages.

Creating and designing water fountains was and still is a multidiscipline endeavor involving knowledge in fields such as art, science and engineering. When designing a fountain the designer takes into consideration shaping the water, presenting the water and also utilizing the sound of the water. Fountain designers first visualize their ideas then put them to paper; through sketches and drawing. Through these sketches designers through the ages have been able to pass on their knowledge and intricate design details of some of the world’s most famous fountains. The Trevi fountain in Rome is a good example of a fountain whose sketches have allowed historians and fountain designers alike to appreciate the complex processes that went into building the fountain in that time period.  The Romans also offer great example of fountains inspired by architecture. The Triton fountain for example was built by Bernini for Pope Urban VII. Bernini in this famous fountain was able to capture movement and sound. Using red chalk he drew a simple fountain design in outlines and shading, but the finished product is a majestic fountain that suited and blended with the architecture. Like Bernini fountain designers find inspiration in other fountains, in nature or in the architectural setting of the proposed fountain.

The basis of the fountain design however stays the same. There must be a water source; as in the ancient famous fountains the water source was the aqueducts. The water is then cascaded into a reservoir. The water can be gravity fed as we see in the ancient Romans or pumped as with most modern fountains. The availability of pumps does not deter from the water engineering and hydraulics knowledge needed when designing a fountain. As a matter of fact modern fountains rely less on the design of the actual shape of the fountain but more on the motion of the water. Famous fountains from previous eras were more ornate and handsomely sculptured with the actual shape itself being the focal point. In modern fountain designs the spectacle of the water is more the focus. This not to say that the fountain shape itself is bland but it is of less importance. Fountain designers tend to focus more on the hydraulics of the water to create visually stunning water cascades.

Fountains designers in modern time are moving to smaller scale fountains; backyard size and also smaller desk top. No matter what the fountain size, effect is the same; soothing, calming and aesthetically pleasing.