By Eric Herman (written for Luxury Pools Magazine)
There was a time when swimming pools were relatively limited in terms of their aesthetic bandwidth. They were either kidney, rectangular, or lazy-L shaped, with white plaster, blue waterline tile, bullnose coping, and—if you were lucky—maybe tile mosaics depicting fish.
These days, however, that has changed completely. Swimming pools and the landscape elements that surround them can now be seen as a rapidly expanding architectural art form with a myriad of features, colors, materials, shapes, sizes, functionality, and stunning sculptural beauty.
As a homeowner considering this spectrum of creative possibilities and lifestyle benefits, the first thing you should know is…READ MORE
Not all water features need be massive rock waterfalls that relinquish a torrent of water and sound. Some of the nicest water features are small in size but powerful in effect. These smaller water features can stand on their own or be part of a larger body of water, such as a pool or even pond.
Disappearing Fountain
By far, the simplest of these features are the self-contained “disappearing fountains”. These simple devices are made up of two parts, a hidden underground reservoir and visible object which is enhanced by the movement of water. The underground reservoirs are usually slightly bigger than the above ground portion and are usually covered by rock, gravel even broken glass, which act as a screen, letting the water fall off the object and into the reservoir, but blocking the leaves and debris which would otherwise clog the reservoir. The reservoir acts as a holding tank for the water which is circulated through the object and also contains the pump which moves the water up through the object. The object is often some type of jar, but need not be. Water moving over a small stone can sometimes be captivating to view. If a jar is chosen, take care to choose one that is “high” fired and not a simple clay pot. The low fired pots will absorb too much water and break down rather quickly. The high fired pots are almost of porcelain quality and will last much longer. They cost more, but are well worth it. Take note of the object’s shape. The fascinating part of the fountain is watching the water move across the surface of the object, creating brilliant reflections as it captures the light in many ways.
Jar Water Feature
These features are a fantastic addition to your garden or even at the entrance to your home. They are simple to build and even simpler to maintain. The biggest demand is to make sure sufficient water is in the reservoir. If desired, this requirement can even be reduced by the addition of an auto-fill mechanism. Usually the only other requirement is to drain them in the winter to prevent the pot from breaking or the pump from running dry.
Copper Spill Bowl
If you already have a pool or spa, another option is to add a simple feature. These features are easiest to add during a renovation, but can be added as a stand alone project. They don’t need a hidden reservoir or dedicated pump as they usually are tied into the pools circulation system. One must be careful to chose objects that will hold up well to the chemicals usually found in pools, however many such products are specifically made just for pools. Many of these simple features for pools are shaped like bowls and have a lip designed to allow the water to roll of the edge without rolling back on the underside of the pot or deck. These pots can be made of metal, concrete or stone. Some are pre-finished with a “patina” to appear aged. Others include secondary purposes and double as fire features and planters.
Stone Spill Bowl
In all of the features there are two primary purposes that must be kept in mind, the sight and sound. They should be chosen for their visual interest, the way the water moves and catches the light as well as the visual interest of the object itself. However, the sound is just as important if not more so. These simple features create a gentle, soothing sound, designed to relax those within the hearing range. Don’t expect a loud noise to mask traffic or other disturbing noises, because they won’t accomplish that. They will offer, however, a place to read, talk quietly or take that much needed nap!
Click on the link below to see and hear one of these simple features in action.
I was driving to meeting at a client’s home today and came across a modern home with two distinctive Glass Water-Features. The glass had a green cast in a wedge shape and appeared to have an undualting surface. As the water bubbled up at the top, the narrowest part of the wedge , it cascaded down in the groves of the surface. The twin features guard the front entrance.
I loved the features even though they appeared misplaced in front of this home.
The Modern Art Museum in Fort Worth, Texas shows exactly what “water” can do in the hands of a master. Todao Ando, renowned Architect, achieved stunning visuals integrating water seamlessly into his creation. The building is as much Art as art it contains!
I loved his uses of bare concrete, polished, but unstained, simple, yet elegant. You can observe the imprint of the forms in the concrete. More over the polished surface reflects the wonderful play of light in the building.
Visitors are treated to buildings seamlessly integrated with the water around their environment. Visitors to the cafe, sit and eat with water lapping just outside the glass wall. The “lake” is actually a man-made and controlled body of water, which is actually quite shallow, approximately 6″. The bottom is paved with what appears to be dark gray smooth stones, which help to darken the water color, and enhance the lakes reflective capacity.
