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Directory of Water Feature Designers and Builders
Perhaps the fact that we rely on water for our very lives explains our innate attraction to water in our built environment as well as in nature. In any case, the professionals who design water features understand the deep-rooted connection between man and water. For them,
shaping water is an art form of patterns, textures, and movement. Shaped one way, water is a tranquil pool reflecting its environment. Shaped other ways - via pumps, nozzles, and surfaces
- water becomes animated: falling, leaping, squirting, spraying, and cascading.
A water feature is always a place of refreshment. Water features have a liveliness which captures our senses. We always want to pause when we see and hear water in motion - whether a smooth-flowing sheen decorating a lobby, a waterfall cascading into a swimming pool, or bubbly bursts at an interactive water park. A water feature may center around traditional statuary or it may incorporate waterfalls, pools, channels, streams, and spillways.
The list below represents some of the people who make these experiences possible
- the designers, engineers and builders of pools, waterfalls, fountains and other forms of contained, controlled water. Their work is seen in the world’s public parks, corporate campuses, municipal complexes, tourist attractions, shopping centers, hotel lobbies, and private residences.
In addition to this representative listing, many local landscape architects and landscaping companies offer water feature design and construction services. Check your local business directories or resources such as membership directories for the
Association of Professional Landscape Designers and the
American Society of Landscape Architects.
As a
related resource, we also have a representative list of companies
which manufacture large-scale commercial and custom water
features which usually are then installed by local contractors. See our Directory
of Water Feature Manufacturers.
(NOTE:
Throughout this site, companies, products and services mentioned
or listed are not necessarily endorsed or recommended by
FountainFinder.com. They are simply examples to assist in your
research. You are responsible for evaluating and selecting your
suppliers.)
Short-cuts
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| Fountains: Splash and
Spectacle, an exhibit from Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum of the Smithsonian Institution. "In many fountains, architecture and sculpture dominate water's decorative sprays, jets, flows, or cascades. In other fountains, the water action is the primary feature. Fountain designers consider how water should move - with gentle insistence or raging force; how water should sound - as a soothing trickle or as a surging splash; and how water should look - clear and smooth or frothy and white."
Going Where No Fountain Has Gone
Before - Discusses the work of WET Design, including the Fountains of Bellagio in
Las Vegas, "the biggest and best fountain on planet Earth." The Fountains of Bellagio uses 1,200 water jets and 5,400 individually programmed underwater lights
- all choreographed to the music of Luciano Pavarotti, Aaron Copland, Frank Sinatra and others.
From PM Engineer magazine.
The Technology of Bellagio's Fountain
Show: Water-shooters, lights, and computers unite to create this Las Vegas spectacular.
From Tech Live, January 11, 2002.
Frank Lloyd Wright's
Fallingwater: Typically, a professional water feature designer will incorporate the water feature into its surroundings. U.S. architect Frank Lloyd Wright referred to "organic architecture" as "Architecture that belonged where you see it standing - and is a grace to the landscape instead of a disgrace." Indeed, Wright's own design for Kaufmann House (commonly called "Fallingwater") is a graceful blend of a residence and its natural environment, especially Bear Run creek. Fallingwater resources:
WaterShapes magazine -
For designers, engineers and builders of pools, ponds, waterfalls, spas, and fountains.
ARt OUTSiDE -
Artists' water features for sale.
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