When Water is still like Mirror it can behold the Moon - Rumi

Introduction

Water is main resource for the living and for the life to sustain. Water in its various
form is multi dimensional object which appears in various fields as:

 ENVIRONMENTALLY : A Natural resource for living

 SOCIALLY: A sensitive basis for developing human Activities

 FINANCIALLY: it influence Tourism , Agriculture, Fisheries etc

 CULTURALLY: Related to Folklore, Mythology, Art and Religion

 AESTHETICALLY : Represented as a Beauty element of Nature

Role of Water as a Key Aesthetic factor
 Water is one of the important design element

 Its significance in Visual and Non-Visual Landscape depends on the perception of

the observer

 Like Plants, Water has qualities that change over time and in different light and
weather conditions

 It was implemented by the Architects or Artists for breaking the monotony caused
by the solid materials as used

 It is capable of producing a wide variety of Effects, from that of a still pond to the
excitement of a great cascade

 It appeals to all the senses to all people of all ages

Historical Review - India
 Existence of Human settlement
 Religious aspects
 Social aspects
 Economic aspects
 Microclimatic aspects
 Aesthetic aspects(Mughal garden)
Historical Review - India
Historical Review - Greek
 In Ancient Greece Fountains were considered to be Sacred

 They were converted from a hole excavated close to the water point into
impressively decorated buildings

Morosini Fountain,Lions Square, Bembo Fountain, Heraklion,Greece

Heraklion,
Historical Review - Rome
 Public Fountains were abundant in use during this period

 Rectangular stone tank on a small pedestal and it had a sculptured human or

animal head from which water flows

 Name of the traditional Fountain was as per position, shape or local tradition

Trevi Fountain,Italy
Historical Review - Byzantium
 Symbol of Life Health and Civilization

 Indispensible element of paradise

 Fountains were available in rural and forest area for the need of Traveller

 Baths were considered to be sociable place appropriate for meetings, discussions

and demonstrations

 It was considered to be an element of multiple beliefs and functions

Water as Landscape Design Element
Existence of water in the landscape can add the following values:
 Stimulate sense:
 Sound –Movement of the water or by Water birds
 Through elements of visual design
 Color: Good water quality is relatively clear. It takes on the colour
imparted by reflections carried upon its surface. The surface reflects all
the colors in its immediate environ
 Texture- The surface of moving water is determined by the depth and
flow characteristics, shape and depth of its container. Constrictions,
protrusions into the flow cause turbulence and increase the surface
texure
 Form: Water features can be linear, accentuating the flow of water or
compact in form. It conveys a sense of centrality or arrival

 Possibilities for expanding biotopes of certain species

 Opportunities of emphasizing structural materials and lighting through reflection
 The opportunities of environmental education(case study)
Water as Landscape Design Element
Water as Landscape Design Element
Water as Landscape Design Element
Water as Landscape Design Element
Water as Landscape Design Element
Water as Landscape Design Element-Formal and Informal
There are mainly categories of water features and then endless options and
possibilities within these two categories. These two main categories are generally
referred as:

 FORMAL

 INFORMAL

Both types of water features are beautiful additions for the landscape design. And
both have their own special design elements that make them different.
Water as Landscape Design Element-Informal
This category is meant to look natural, as if it has been in the environment. Following
are some basic design elements to think about when putting together an informal
water element.
 Curves
 Native Plants and Animal Life
 A Bog or Rock Garden
Water as Landscape Design Element-Formal
 A formal water element design is meant to look man made.
 It is intended to draw the eye and make people notice it as an artistic addition to
the design
 Usually the formal water element act as the dominant feature of a formal garden
with a formal theme.
 Here are the basic elements that make a formal water garden unique.
 Geometric Shapes:That means it can be square, oblong, rectangle, a circle, a
triangle and even a semi-circle as long as it corresponds to one of the basic
shapes.
 Water Fountains:These beautiful displays act as an accent feature. They can be
present in informal water scape but this tends to detract from the informal water
garden’s ability to blend in with the landscape.
 Sculpture or Art:Sometimes a formal water garden will sport a decorative
sculpture in or near the waterscape. These sculptures can be used as water
fountains combing the two elements.
 Fewer plants, :A formal waterscape tends to feature fewer aquatic plants. Plants
soften and can destroy the geometric look of a formal waterscape if overused.
Water as Landscape Design Element-Formal
Water as Landscape Design Element-Formal
Water as Landscape Design Element-Formal
Water as Landscape Design Element-Informal
Water as Landscape Design Element-Informal
Sustainbale Landscape design-Sherbourne Commons, Toronto

Toronto, Canada, has faced many unique challenges as it has sought to transform its industrial waterfront
into an accessible place for recreation. When Waterfront Toronto was formed in 2001 to revitalize 800
hectares along Lake Ontario, the East Bayfront precinct was funneling huge amounts of sewage and
polluted stormwater runoff into the lake. While the city hoped to draw people to the waterfront through a
set of new parks, the precinct was prone to combined sewer overflows (CSOs) during heavy rains, which
resulted in untreated sewage being discharged into the lake.
Case Study-

To address this problem, Sherbourne Common was created to be both park and stormwater treatment
plant. Sitting on the shore of Lake Ontario, Sherbourne Common prevents stormwater from the district
from entering the lake. According to landscape architecture firm Phillips Farevaag Smallenberg, it’s the first
Canadian park to use an ultraviolet (UV) purification technology in a neighborhood-scale stormwater
treatment plant
Case Study-

Stormwater drives the organization of the park – it’s the basis of a system that educates the public about
the importance of keeping Lake Ontario clean
Case Study-

Underneath the public bathrooms, a series of disinfecting machines use ultraviolet light (UV) – rather than
chlorine – to clean stormwater run-off from surrounding roads, highways, and buildings. Once collected
and UV-treated, purified water move through the underground system and then emerges to gently
cascade down three 9-meter tall art sculptures, called “Light Showers,” which rise from the ground.
Case Study-

The water then passes through a bio-filtration bed planted with aquatic grasses and is directed into a 240-
meter long water channel.
Case Study-

As the water travels down the channel and reaches the center of the park it passes through a jewel-like
pavilion and is ultimately discharged into Lake Ontario. During winter, the area around the pavilion turns
into a skating rink framed by frozen fountains.
Case Study-

Other sustainable features include nearly 200 native or regionally-adapted trees, which contribute to
Toronto city government's ambitious tree cover goals. Native plants throughout the park are well adapted
to Toronto’s climate, which reduces the need for any extra irrigation
Case Study-

The park incorporates a high percentage of locally-available materials, light-colored permeable paving
surfaces to reduce the urban heat island effect, and special light fixtures to reduce light pollution