Landscape Fountains As Water Elements
Landscape Fountains As Water Elements The definition of a water feature is a big element which has water flowing in or through it. There is a wide array of such features going from something as simple as a hanging wall fountain or as complex as a courtyard tiered fountain. Since they are so variable, these decorative elements can be located either in your backyard or inside your home.
Pools and ponds are also considered water elements. An outdoor wall fountain can be a useful water feature to add to any yard, yoga studio, patio, balcony, or office space. You can relax to the gently flowing water in your fountain and satisfy your senses of sight and sound. Their aesthetically pleasing shape accentuates the interior design of any room. You can also have fun watching the striking water display, experience the serenity, and reduce any undesirable noises with the soothing sounds of water.
Where did Garden Water Fountains Begin?
Where did Garden Water Fountains Begin?
The incredible architecture of a fountain allows it to provide clean water or shoot water high into air for dramatic effect and it can also serve as an excellent design feature to enhance your home. From the beginning, outdoor fountains were soley there to serve as functional elements. People in cities, towns and villages received their drinking water, as well as water to bathe and wash, via aqueducts or springs nearby. Up to the late 19th century, water fountains had to be near an aqueduct or reservoir and more elevated than the fountain so that gravity could make the water move downwards or shoot high into the air. Fountains were not only used as a water source for drinking water, but also to decorate homes and celebrate the artist who created it. Animals or heroes made of bronze or stone masks were often times used by Romans to decorate their fountains. During the Middle Ages, Muslim and Moorish garden designers included fountains in their designs to mimic the gardens of paradise. Fountains played a considerable role in the Gardens of Versailles, all part of French King Louis XIV’s desire to exert his power over nature. The Popes of the 17th and 18th centuries were extolled with baroque style fountains made to mark the place of entry of Roman aqueducts.
Indoor plumbing became the main source of water by the end of the 19th century thereby restricting urban fountains to mere decorative elements. Gravity was replaced by mechanical pumps in order to enable fountains to bring in clean water and allow for amazing water displays.
Embellishing city parks, honoring people or events and entertaining, are some of the uses of modern-day fountains.