Water jets are a great way to improve pedestrian thermal comfort in outdoor spaces & provide a source of fun for young visitors.
I was working on an inspiring project - Bunjil Place - for the City of Casey, Melbourne. Our client wanted to explore opportunities for water play in the outdoor amphitheatre, an additional attraction for people & families to venue.
This is the perfect opportunity for a walkable fountain ! Here are some of the principles we applied to the design:
Microclimate:
Elements in the landscape - such as water - contribute the the thermal comfort of the users of a space.
Locating a water feature within paved area, such as Bunjil's amphitheatre, creates a microclimate and can provide relief from hot days - especially appreciated on a hot Melbourne day !
Splash Zone:
For most water features, the spray radius does not normally exceed the height of the fountain jet.
For walkable water features, it's important to factor in wind effects & play effects - as a general rule for splash pads in the public domain, I apply a "2 x" factor - design a splash radius equal to twice the design height of the water jet.
This water feature is designed in an arc - the tallest water jets are located in the centre where the largest splash zone is designed.
Ambient Sounds:
Water features can be beautiful design elements.
They also contribute to the enjoyment of a space by providing pleasant, ambient noise & masking unwanted noises (such as nearby traffic).
Slip Resistance:
HB 198:2014 recommends the P4 for the slip rating for swimming pool surrounds and P5 for ramps in wet areas.
As a rule, I aim for P5 for play jet water/ feature zones for the higher level of safety.
Lighting:
I don’t need to elaborate on lighting, it creates beautiful night-time effects.
However, there is another layer to lighting water features in community facilities - the lighting can be set to celebrate, or pay respect to, various memorial days - lighting up pink - for example - to acknowledge support for breast cancer charities.
Hydraulic Design:
Do seek advice from a Specialist to ensure water reticulation is appropriately designed and finely tuned: including pump sizing, water treatment, flow rates & scheduled water turnover.
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