The Dissemination of Water Feature Design Knowledge
The Dissemination of Water Feature Design Knowledge Throughout Europe, the chief means of spreading useful hydraulic understanding and fountain design ideas were the circulated papers and illustrated publications of the day, which contributed to the evolution of scientific innovation.
An un-named French water fountain engineer was an internationally renowned hydraulic leader in the late 1500's. With imperial commissions in Brussels, London and Germany, he started his work in Italy, acquiring experience in garden design and grottoes with built-in and clever water hydraulics. In France, near the closure of his lifetime, he penned “The Principle of Moving Forces”, a book which became the primary text on hydraulic mechanics and engineering. Detailing the latest hydraulic systems, the book also modernized critical hydraulic developments of classical antiquity. Notable among these works were those of Archimedes, the developer of the water screw, a mechanical way of transferring water. Sunlight heated up the water in two hidden vessels adjoining to the decorative fountain were shown in an illustration. The end result: the water fountain is stimulated by the hot liquid expanding and ascending up the piping. Designs for pumps, water wheels, water attributes and garden ponds are also covered in the publication.
The Origins Of Wall Fountains
The Origins Of Wall Fountains A water fountain is an architectural piece that pours water into a basin or jets it high into the air in order to provide drinking water, as well as for decorative purposes.Pure functionality was the original purpose of fountains. Residents of cities, townships and small towns used them as a source of drinking water and a place to wash up, which meant that fountains needed to be linked to nearby aqueduct or spring. Until the late nineteenth, century most water fountains functioned using gravity to allow water to flow or jet into the air, therefore, they needed a source of water such as a reservoir or aqueduct located higher than the fountain. Fountains were an optimal source of water, and also served to adorn living areas and memorialize the artist.
The main components used by the Romans to build their fountains were bronze or stone masks, mostly depicting animals or heroes. During the Middle Ages, Muslim and Moorish garden designers included fountains in their designs to mimic the gardens of paradise. The fountains seen in the Gardens of Versailles were intended to show the power over nature held by King Louis XIV of France. The Popes of the 17th and 18th centuries were glorified with baroque style fountains made to mark the place of entry of Roman aqueducts.
Since indoor plumbing became the norm of the day for fresh, drinking water, by the end of the 19th century urban fountains were no longer needed for this purpose and they became purely ornamental. Fountains using mechanical pumps instead of gravity helped fountains to bring recycled water into living spaces as well as create special water effects.
Modern fountains are used to adorn community spaces, honor individuals or events, and enrich recreational and entertainment events.
Find Peace with Garden Fountains
Find Peace with Garden Fountains You can find peace and tranquility by just having water in your garden.
The noises in your neighborhood and surrounding area will be masked with the tranquil sounds of a fountain. The outdoors and amusement are two of the things you will find in your garden. Many treatments use water as a healing element, going to places such as the seaside and rivers for their treatments. If what you seek is a calming place where you can take your body and your mind to a faraway place, set up a pond or fountain in your garden.
The Many Good Reasons to Include a Water Feature
The Many Good Reasons to Include a Water Feature The inclusion of a wall water feature or an outdoor garden fountain is a great way to adorn your yard or garden design. Many modern designers and artisans have been influenced by historical fountains and water features. As such, introducing one of these to your home design is a great way to connect it to the past. The advantage of having a garden fountain extends beyond its beauty as it also appeals to birds and other wildlife, in addition to harmonizing the ecosystem with the water and moisture it releases into the atmosphere. For instance, pesky flying insects are usually deterred by the birds drawn to the fountain or birdbath.Spouting or cascading fountains are not the best alternative for a small garden since they require a great deal of space.
Two options to pick from include either a freestanding type with an even back set against a fence or wall in your garden, or a wall-mounted, self-contained type which hangs on a wall. Adding a fountain to an existent wall requires that you add a fountain mask as well as a basin at the bottom to collect the water. It is best not to attempt this job yourself as professional plumbers and masons are more suitable to do this type of work.
Keep Your Garden Fountain Tidy
Keep Your Garden Fountain Tidy To ensure that water fountains last a while, it is vital to perform regular maintenance. It is easy for foreign objects to find their way into outdoor fountains, so keeping it clean is important. Additionally, anywhere light from the sun mixes with still water, algae can appear.
To prevent this, there are some simple ingredients that can be added into the water, such as vinegar, sea salt, or hydrogen peroxide. Bleach can also be put into the water, but this is not an ideal option as it can sicken birds or other animals. No more than three-four months should go by without an extensive maintaining of a fountain. Prior to cleaning, all of the water must be removed. When you have done this, scrub inside the water reservoir with a gentle detergent. A useful tip is to use a toothbrush if there are tiny hard-to-reach spots. Be sure to completely rinse the inner surface of the fountain to make sure all the soap is gone.
Some organisms and calcium deposits can get inside the pump, so it is advised to take it apart and clean it completely. Soaking it in vinegar for a while will make it easier to wash. Neither rain water nor mineral water contain ingredients that will build up inside the pump, so use either over tap water if possible.
Lastly, make sure your fountain is always full by looking at it every day - this will keep it in tip-top shape. Permitting the water level to get too low can result in damage to the pump - and you certainly don't want that!
"Old School" Water Feature Creative Designers
"Old School" Water Feature Creative Designers Commonly working as architects, sculptors, artists, engineers and discerning scholars, all in one, fountain creators were multi-talented people from the 16th to the later part of the 18th century. Leonardo da Vinci, a Renaissance artist, was renowned as a inventive intellect, inventor and scientific expert. He methodically captured his ideas in his now famed notebooks, following his immense fascination in the forces of nature guided him to explore the characteristics and motion of water. Remodeling private villa configurations into amazing water exhibits complete with symbolic significance and natural beauty, early Italian fountain creators coupled curiosity with hydraulic and horticultural expertise. The humanist Pirro Ligorio offered the vision behind the splendors in Tivoli and was distinguished for his skill in archeology, architecture and garden design. For the assorted lands close to Florence, other fountain developers were well versed in humanistic subjects as well as classical scientific texts, masterminding the excellent water marbles, water features and water antics.Installation and Maintenance of Fountains
Installation and Maintenance of Fountains An important first step before installing any outdoor wall feature is to think about the space you have available. It is essential that the wall where you are going to hang it is sturdy enough to support its load. Therefore for smaller areas or walls, a light feature is going to be more suitable. You will need to have an electrical socket in the vicinity of the fountain so it can be powered. Most outdoor wall fountains include simple, step-by-step instructions with respect to the type of fountain. Everything you will require to correctly install your outdoor wall fountain is typically provided in easy-to-use kits. The kit will contain a submersible pump, the hoses and basin (or reservoir). The basin, if it's not too large, can easily be concealedin your garden among the plants. Once fitted, wall fountains typically only need to have some light maintenance and regular cleaning.
Change the water frequently so it is always clean. Remember to get rid of debris like leaves, twigs or dirt as fast as possible. Extremely cold temperatures can damage your outdoor wall fountain so be sure to protect it during wintertime. Your pump may break when exposed to freezing water during the wintertime, so it is best to bring it indoors to prevent any damage. All in all, an outdoor wall fountain can last for any number of years with proper servicing and care.