FOUNTAINS

Cemal Mert ALAÇAM

ARCH410 ART, DESING AND URBAN SPACE

TERM PAPER

20180405209

11.07.2021

Izmır University of Economics

Faculty of Fine Arts and Design, Department of Architecture

 CONTENTS

Meaning ...................................................................................................................................................1
History ......................................................................................................................................................1
Birth of the Fountain ............................................................................................................................1
The Middle and Medieval Ages.............................................................................................................1

The Renaissance and Baroque Eras ......................................................................................................1

Modern Times .......................................................................................................................................2

How it is done .........................................................................................................................................2

Relationship with Urban Space ...............................................................................................................2

Examples ..................................................................................................................................................3

Suggestions and ideas for the future ......................................................................................................4

References................................................................................................................................................4
 FOUNTAINS
Meaning
According to the Cambridge dictionary, the meaning of the word Fountain; a stream of water
that is forced up into the air through a small hole, especially for decorative effect, or the structure in
a lake or pool from which this flows. According to the definition of another source, Wikipedia; A
fountain (from the Latin "fons" (genitive "fontis"), a source or spring) is a structure which squirts
water into a basin to supply drinking water. It is also a structure that jets water into the air for a
decorative or dramatic effect.

History
Birth of the Fountain
The initial fountain didn't appear like a fountain in the traditional sense. A carved stone basin
housed precious drinking and holy, ceremonial water in the oldest known fountain. This stone basin
is thought to date back to approximately 2000 BC. The flow of water from early fountains utilized in
ancient civilizations was controlled by gravity. These ancient fountains were primarily used to give
drinking water and were typically found near aqueducts, streams, and rivers. In 6 BC, the ancient
Romans began to use ornamental fountains, the majority of which were metal or stone masks of
animals and legendary heroes. The Romans had a complex system of aqueducts that supplied water
to the numerous fountains that could be found throughout each city. The Romans used free-
standing, upright fountains that drew water from lead pipes beneath the roadway. With 9 aqueducts,
39 monumental fountains, and 591 public basins, Rome was dubbed the "city of fountains" by 98 AD.
Roman fountains shot water into the air using water pressure from a distant water source around the
first century BC.

The Middle and Medieval Ages

Fountains went out of favor throughout the Middle Ages, and were only found in art and
literature, monasteries, and palace gardens. Fountains were emblems of purity, vitality, knowledge,
and innocence in the Middle Ages.During the Medieval Era, fountains resurfaced in popularity,
however they were mostly found in secluded locations such as monasteries, gardens, and palace
grounds. Bible tales, local history, and civic values were shown in medieval fountains.Aside from
being works of beauty, several fountains of the period also provided amusement by spraying
unsuspecting bystanders.

The Renaissance and Baroque Eras

During the Renaissance, fountains grew in size, complexity, and grandeur. Fountains served
as tributes to kings and royalty, as well as symbols of riches and power.Many of Europe's iconic
fountains, notably the one in Villa d'Este in Tivoli, were erected during the Renaissance
period.Fountains throughout the Renaissance were more than just regal tributes; they were also
means of entertainment and drama. Many of the fountains in the Renaissance gardens were created
to irrigate park visitors, provide leisure, and play music.The renowned Trevi Fountain, the Piazza
Navona Fountain, and the Triton Fountain were all created during the Baroque Era, which lasted
from the 1600s through the 1700s. The ancient aqueducts of Ancient Rome were restored and
reconstructed, giving sufficient water supplies to fountains, and fountains once again experienced a
renaissance.
 The Baroque art style blossomed thanks to the strong Catholic Church's patronage. Despite
the changes in appearance, fountains continued to represent power and riches.

Modern Times

The function and appearance of fountains have evolved over time.Fountains were only used
for ornamental purposes by the 1900s, because to the widespread availability of indoor plumbing.
These were the forerunners of current fountains, capable of recycling water as well as shooting
water high into the air.Fountains may now be seen in parks, squares, private homes, and commercial
structures. Fountains can now be linked to music and colourful lights, and the spray may be changed
remotely with the press of a button, thanks to technological developments.Fountains have evolved
in both shape and function over time.

How it is done
Fountains worked by gravity from the time of the Romans until the end of the nineteenth
century, requiring a supply of water higher than the fountain itself to make the water flow. The
larger the difference in height between the fountain and the source of water, the higher the water
would rise from the fountain.Water for fountains in Roman towns originated from lakes, rivers, and
springs in the hills, which were transported into the city by aqueducts and then delivered to
fountains via a network of lead pipes. of the canons, or spouts, which inclined downwards The water
created a syphon as it poured down through the canons, allowing the fountain to run continuously.

The spring's water ran down to the fountain, then up a tube into a bulb-shaped stone vessel
that looked like a huge vase with a lid on top. The vase's inside, known as the bassin de répartition,
was filled with water until it reached a point slightly above the canons, or spouts, which sloped
downwards. Urban fountains began to recycle its water through a closed recirculating system later in
the twentieth century. The water is pushed through the pipes by an electric pump, which is usually
located under the water. To compensate for water loss to evaporation, the water must be
replenished on a regular basis, and provisions must be established to handle overflow after heavy
rain.

Relationship with Urban Space

Water is a highly distinctive element that, in addition to its symbolic importance, gives a
different idea of the size and form of the area than it is in reality. When employed as a decorative
feature, water has an elemental character that lends it considerable symbolic importance. As it
splashes and gurgles, water, together with trees and the canopy of the sky above, reminds us of how
nature's wildness may alter the human-environment interaction by adding noises and patterns to the
place.

The flow of water has a direct impact on the use of water as a design element in urban open
areas. Water's motionless surface offers calming, relaxing, and soothing properties. In this context,
the elements of still water (ponds and small lakes) provide opportunities for uninterrupted thinking
(concentration) and for a balanced microclimate creating coolness and moisture, in addition to
ensuring reflector, window, texture, and activator effects due to its visual and reflective features.
Examples

In the following paragraphs, I'll compare and contrast a few examples of Fountains and
Water Elements.

The first example is The Cascada in Barcelona.

It was built in 1888 by Josep Fontseré for the Universal Exhibition of Barcelona with the help of
Antoni Gaudí, who was still a student. Located in the north-eastern corner of the Ciutadella park and
fed by a waterfall from the upper pavilion. Inspired by the Fountain of Trevi in Rome.

The second example is The Trevi Fountain in Rome.

It was built in 1762 by Nicola Salvi.It is the terminus of the "new" Acqua Vergine, the resurrected
Aqua Virgo, one of the aqueducts that brought water to ancient Rome, is marked by a fountain at the
intersection of three roads (tre vie). Located in the Trevi district in Rome, Italy. It is the largest
Baroque fountain in the city and one of the most famous fountains in the world.

Baroque Architecture has a great influence on both projects. Both projects are the most
famous fountains of their cities. And both of them have traces of Gaudi.

However, there are some distinctions between them. The first is about the environment. The
Trevi Fountain is located in a more urban and non-green area, while Cascada is located in a more
rural setting within a park.

I will now continue by making a comparison between the Bellagio Fountains in Las Vegas and
The Apollo Fountain in Paris.

To begin with, there was already a water feature here in 1636 during the reign of Louis XIII
and it was known as Swan Lake. Louis XIV later added the magnificent and famous work in his gilded
lead while driving the chariot of Apollo. Built on the Le Brun design by Tuby, this piece is based on
the legend of Apollo, the icon of the Sun god and King. It shows the god gushing out of the water in
anticipation of his daily flight on earth. Tuby made this monumental group in the manufacture of
Gobelins between 1668 and 1670 when it was transported to Versailles and placed and gilded the
following year.

Bellagio Fountains, on the other hand, It was built in 1998 by Mark Fuller located in Las
Vegas,US. When it initially opened, this fountain was the world's largest, however it was overtaken in
2010 and 2017 by The Dubai Fountain and The Fountain at Okada Manila, respectively.

As a result, both are important landmarks for the places they are in, and each attracts people in
their own places and makes that point a point of attraction.
Suggestions and ideas for the future

Most people are familiar with the traditional fountain's appearance. They've appeared in
front of libraries, commercial malls, and government buildings. They've been placed in public parks,
on college campuses, and in close proximity to hospitals. Fountains are an established design
component that many property owners turn to when they want to add an aspect that customers will
adore, from opera houses to bars. However, because to advancements in technology and design
options, there are now more chances than ever to incorporate water elements into unexpected
places.

To summarize all these facts, apart from benefiting from all the benefits that a fountain can
provide, the fountain can also be seen as an art installation by bringing them together with art and
artists.

References
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fountain
• https://www.limestone.com/about-us/limestone-learning-center/how-do-outdoor-water-
fountains-work/
• Nowacka-Rejzner, Urszula. 2019. “Water Elements in The Creation of Public Space.” Annual
Review of Anthropology 603:
• Juuti, Petri & Antoniou, Georgios & Dragoni, Walter & El-Gohary, Fatma & De Feo, Giovanni
& Katko, Tapio & Rajala, Riikka & Zheng, Xiao & Drusiani, Renato & Angelakis, A.. (2015).
Short Global History of Fountains. Water. 2015. 2314-2348. 10.3390/w7052314.
• https://waterandhealth.org/safe-drinking-water/future-water-fountain/
• https://www.hotelmanagement-network.com/projects/bellagio/
• https://en.chateauversailles.fr/discover/estate/gardens/fountains#fountains-of-the-fight-of-
the-animals
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Banpo_Bridge
• https://www.bayut.com/mybayut/dubai-fountain/
• https://www.stuff.co.nz/travel/news/107604722/worlds-most-famous-fountains
• https://www.10best.com/interests/explore/best-fountains-in-the-world-10-famous-
locations/
• https://www.watergallery.net/blog/the-history-of-fountains/
• https://dailyhistory.org/How_did_fountains_develop%3F
• https://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/20/science/electricity-free-fountains.html