Liverpool Hope University
Two new water features have been designed and constructed by Fountains & Features as part of the new Centre of Excellence, Innovation & Enterprise at Liverpool Hope University.
The aim of the centre is to be a relaxed, welcoming, warm and well-lit environment to encourage students to sit, read and work; that is, to create fellowship and communion among students and not just to be utilitarian and functional. As Grimwood & Dix were already undertaking the electrical installation works for the building we were invited by the architects Halsall Lloyd to become involved in the design of the water features.
The water features are located in the landscaped area between Taggart Avenue and the new building and offer a relaxing and welcoming site which complement the ethos of the building.
They are based on traditional mill stone type features utilising granite to complement the surrounding area and are 2.6 and 2.0 metre in diameter.
The central water jets are adjustable in height up to 1.5 metres and give a white foaming effect.
The Main Contractor stipulated that all the necessary works should be done by the water feature contractor and we therefore undertook the civil works, procurement and installation of the granite as well as the mechanical and electrical works.
Fountains and Features were contacted by Ask Developments at the end of 2010 to discuss the upgrading of the display element of a recently constructed water feature located outside the new council offices at Knowsley Place, Bury.
Following a review of the existing hydraulic system we proposed a scheme that would double the quantity of nozzles whilst still utilising the existing pump selection. The 10 No Geyser type nozzles were mounted on an in pool manifold which is located down the centre of the pool and gives a more aesthetically pleasing display.
Woodberry Park in North London developed by Berkeley Homes has over 4,600 new homes created on a 25 hectare development area. The development benefits from Berkeley’s renowned high specification and attention to detail which includes the terraced landscaped area and a high specification multi-faceted water feature.
The water feature generally consists of a five metre diameter stainless steel top bowl with three water chutes and a central cascade jet, three pools – the upper two having broad edge weirs and the lower pool having a central two metre diameter stainless steel sphere feature over which was runs. To further enhance the display experience both the sphere and the underside of the upper bowl are illuminated at night by colour changed LED lighting.
The plant room is located some distance from the water feature at a lower level in the basement of the development. It contains all the necessary mechanical, electrical and treatment equipment required to operate the water feature system and keep the water to the require standard.
Despite there being various challenges in the construction of the water feature and manufacture of the bowl and sphere, with the assistance of In-Ex and Berkeley’s the water feature build was completed from order to commissioning in 10 working weeks.
High Point Village, an award winning scheme, designed by Rolfe Judd Architects incorporating accommodation, leisure facilities, hotels, shops and restaurants, in a landscaped setting beside the Grand Union Canal. High Point Village offers an oasis of calm in an otherwise busy, driven world
As part of the Hayes Canalside Development two separate rectangular podium water feature pools were created as part of the landscaping. Visually the features consist of granite clad pools at low level providing very slow water movement, one located on a podium deck and the other located some 6m lower at ground level.
A plaza water feature display, created by nine aerated jets that fall onto a paved area returning to a water tank via a perimeter drain system is also incorporated in the development.
The hard landscaping within the performance space incorporates falls to contain the water and ensure it flows towards drain channels. To further enhance the display each jet is illuminated by a white LED light. During the evening time the LED lights catch the full height of the jets and bring a whole new aspect to the feature to that of the daytime.
The L shaped granite cascade over which water runs offers a striking feature for the entrance to the building space.
To further enhance the cascade is illuminated by white LED light. During the evening time the LED lights illuminate the water as it passes over the stone and brings a whole new aspect to the feature to that of the daytime.
Fountains & Features Ltd were delighted to sponsor The ‘Transformation’ Garden in the Show Garden category at the 100th Anniversary RHS Chelsea Flower Show in 2013.
The Transformation Garden, was designed to represent the story of Stoke-on-Trent’s journey from a rich industrial past into a modern and vibrant city.
A skeleton of a pottery bottle kiln dominated the rear of the plot, representing the city’s potteries heritage. In contrast, a sunken seating area at the front of the garden echoed the contemporary living spaces being created in the city.
Water, surfacing and planting were used to tell a story of change through contrasts or order and disorder, a metaphor for the transforming modern city. The planting colour palette was dominated by apricot, soft orange, copper and bronze with contrasting shades of burgundy, deep purple, lime green and cream.
The water feature, including pumps, blower, pipework and treatment system was designed, supplied and built by Fountains & Features Ltd to reflect the chaos to calm of the city by way of a bubbling pool through to a still pool.
The Cafe Mall Fountain is a water display which captures the attention of people entering the café mall area to access the shops or perhaps enjoy some refreshment from the café. The feature comprises of upper and lower pools delineated by a region of rocks . Each pool has jumping jets, together with submerged/surface perimeter jets around the upper pool. The upper pool includes statuesque figures, a lower bowl and an upper bowl.
To further enhance the display the jumping jets are able to perform colour changing sequences independently or in line with one another and the bowl light. The full effect of the fountain lighting can be appreciated by evening shoppers when the ambient light is lower.
Two water features either side of a pathway provide a pleasant environment in conjunction with a landscaped open space where people can relax and enjoy the moving water as it cascades over the water blade in one of the features and the weir at the other. To further enhance the appearance both features are illuminated by LED light. During the evening time the LED lights illuminate the water features bringing a whole new aspect to that of the daytime.
A combination of three water features, a jet pool and two planted pools, compliment the surrounding landscaped area. The jet pool catches the attention of people entering the courtyard and the two planted pools within the courtyard offer peace and tranquillity where people can relax and enjoy the environment. The jet pool is further enhanced by illuminated white LED lighting. During the evening time the LED lights illuminate the water jets and bring a whole new aspect to the feature.
The 2014 RHS Flower Show garden “Positively Stoke-on-Trent” was designed and built by top London based company Bartholomew Landscaping in partnership with Stoke City Council – the same team that delivered last year’s roaring success, winning a Silver medal on their debut with their ‘Transformation garden’.
The “Positively Stoke-on-Trent” garden represented a city with a new clarity of purpose and new sources of energy. The garden’s clear lines, circuits, solar panels and high-tech materials, reflected the technological revolution. The glass pavilion reflected water, earth and air: the city’s emerging sustainable energy ambitions. The planting was inspired by nature’s re-colonisation of Stoke-on-Trent, reconnecting the city to nature and conveyed the message that Stoke-on-Trent is a dynamic and creative place of opportunity for all.
The Positively Stoke-on-Trent garden with its giant stainless steel and water arches with calming water pool was a fabulous contemporary design that made a great show piece.
