Water features in interiors

WATER FEATURES IN INTERIORS

Guided by: Prof. Apeksha Jain

NAME-Aditi Goenka
ROLL NO-1479881001
Batch: 2016-2017
Department of Architecture
Anand College of Architecture, Keetham

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Water features in interiors

Certificate

This is to certify that the Architecture Research on the topic water features in
interiors" is submitted by Aditi Goenka as a part of five years graduate
programme in architecture at Anand College of Architecture, Agra is a record of
original work carried out by her under professional guidance. The content
included in this dissertation report has not been submitted to any other
University or Institute for award of any other degree or diploma programme.

Guided by
Pro. Apeksha Jain

Submitted by
Aditi Goenka
1479881001
Anand college of architecture
Date: 13-10-16

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Water features in interiors

Contents
WATER FEATURES IN INTERIORS............................................................................ 1
Guided by: Prof. Apeksha Jain............................................................................. 1
NAME-Aditi Goenka............................................................................................. 1
Anand College of Architecture, Keetham............................................................1
Certificate.............................................................................................................. 2
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT............................................................................................ 5
LIST OF FIGURES.................................................................................................... 6
SYNOPSIS:.............................................................................................................. 7
NEED OF THE STUDY:.......................................................................................... 7
AIM OF THE STUDY:............................................................................................. 7
OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY:................................................................................ 7
SCOPE:................................................................................................................ 7
The study deals with interiors and human response to various water
features. The field of study conducts research and uses the findings to
improve living spaces for humans...................................................................7
LIMITATION:......................................................................................................... 7
METHODOLOGY...................................................................................................... 8
ABSTRACT.............................................................................................................. 9
CHAPTER 1........................................................................................................... 10
INTRODUCTION.................................................................................................... 10
CHAPTER 2........................................................................................................... 11
Water as a element in interior design..................................................................11
CHAPTER 3........................................................................................................... 12
Types of water features....................................................................................... 12
Waterwall...................................................................................................... 12
Rain Curtain................................................................................................... 12
Scupper / Waterfall Spillway / Sheer Descent / Ledge Fall / Sheet Fall...........13
CHAPTER 4........................................................................................................... 16
CONCLUSION....................................................................................................... 16

ADITI GOENKA

Water features in interiors

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Since childhood i have always been attracted towards nature. The green soft
grasses the beautiful flowers and their mesmerizing fragrance, the flying birds
and their chirpings and animals, the sound of falling water etc have been the
best place that refreshes and relaxes me. Each and every little part of nature
gives a learning the need is to feel and understand. Water fascinates me the
most and i found myself using this as a focus point or a point of attraction my
designs. So i began to research on how water can change moods of people
would like to thank my guide mrs. Apeksha jain for her continuous guidance and
supports.

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LIST OF FIGURE

Figure 1.1 waterwall wit LED.................................................... Figure 1.2 Water wall

12
Figure 3.1 Representing a waterfall..........................................................................13
Figure 4 sheetfall down the staircase.......................................................................14
Figure 5 patio
Figure 6 soothing entrance............................................................15
Figure 7 waterscreen in living................................................................................... 15

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SYNOPSIS:
NEED OF THE STUDY:
"Water" a symbol of life is natures finest element that can be used to enhance the
interiors. It stimulates our senses making us feel relaxed and sets the mind at ease
in today's chaos. There is a need to be close to and feel a part of nature hence using
artificial installation of water features as most of us get captivated by the soothing
ambiance of water. Water features are being installed at various places. But there is
a need to understand how these features psychologically affect an individuals mood
and accordingly these features can be designed for spaces to enhance a living
environment.

AIM OF THE STUDY:

To study the different water features in interiors and human responses to different
spaces to provide a higher quality life.

OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY:

1
2
3
4

To study the types of water features that can be used in the interiors.
To study how people respond to each type of water feature.
To study the physiological impact of water features.
To draw the conclusion from various water features.

SCOPE:
The study deals with interiors and human response to various water features. The
field of study conducts research and uses the findings to improve living spaces for
humans.

LIMITATION:
1
2

The study is confined to interiors.

The study is based on data collected from web.

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METHODOLOGY

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ABSTRACT
"Water" a symbol of life has been regarded as a very important element since
ancient times. It is being used since ages as an inspiration to designers and artists.
Water features are the most magnetizing and compelling of all design elements and
are being used in variety of spaces like residences, healthcare centers, commercial
spaces etc to create a soothing environment. Water being a element of nature creates
a link between mind and the surroundings to make it relaxed. Water has mysterious
powers that brings out positive responses in people and reduce stress in an individual.
The soothing motion and rhythmic sound of water makes the brain conscious and
concentrate on one point making one calm and relaxed.
Hence designers and architects need to design biophillic designs such that people
can be healed by the power of nature and live a higher quality of life.

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CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION
It is often heard that water makes people feel relaxed as well as enhances the living
environment. It has been observed for example a fountain refreshes and sets the
mind at ease and creates a environment of relaxation. campbell wrote" I seriously
doubt that any of the sounds created by water could be considered distressing or
annoying"(campbell, 1978).the sound of water is so reliving it not only gives
relaxation but also orientation. Designers have used water for its amazing property
of depth and reflection for reliving claustrophobia .Goffman claims that humans and
animals have the ability to divide themselves to main and side involvements. Main
is the major part while the side is what one does without being distracted while
doing the main work. For instance as we sing while painting, knitting etc.
Going back to history it can be seen that roman and renaissance designs used
water in a very interesting manner. For example in roman design the dining space
was most often placed in gardens with water pavilion which could serve as a
relaxing space in summers. And the most fascinating part was that food was placed
in small vessels and floated on water to be served this enhanced the roman meals.
In Islamic design minimum amount of water was used to gain the maximum
advantage. Water was used as a central feature in garden designs and garden
divided into four quadrants by water channels creating rivers of paradise. Water in
exterior is very commonly seen as all are attracted it includes ponds, swimming
pools, fountains etc. But now water features have started being used as a interior
element also as it has been seen as a relieving feature. They include waterwalls,
fish tanks, ponds, fountains etc.
Water has a plethora of attribute that brings out positive responses in people. It has
been proven that water can reduce stress in an individual. The soothing motion and
rhythmic sound of water makes the brain conscious and concentrate on one point
making one calm and relaxed.
Hence designers and architects are designing so that people can benefit from
nature such designs are known as biophillic or tophophilia.

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CHAPTER 2
Water as a element in interior design
Water body inside the house works as enhancer in the interiors and helps in
bringing positive energy. Water bodies in the interior design looks charming and
elegant in the home decoration and personalizes the home interiors and makes it
look classy and lavish.
The design of the water body is reliant on the available space for creating the water
feature, for small apartments or home use of small water fountain or aquarium
makes the space relaxing. Modern or contemporary water body design and sound
creates a positive, amusing, natural atmosphere in the room and bring extra beauty
in the home decor. Water body in wall niches adds a nice touch to complete the
modern interior design.
From vastu point of view also having a water body near house or any business
premises brings positivity and keeps flowing energy and does not lock the energy.
The effect of having a water body in a house is amazing.

The soothing sounds help to promote stress -relief and relaxation

Help to increase the property value or appeal to home buyers

They are a symbol of wealth as not everyone can afford them

Lasts for many decades with minimal down-time

Can be enjoyed

They require minimal maintenance to operate (ensure water level is

maintained and pump is replaced every several years)

Can be customized with your favorite lighting, shapes, designs, and
colors
white noise produced by a waterfall helps to drown out the sounds of
nearby traffic

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CHAPTER 3
Types of water features
Waterwall
This kind of feature is where water slowly trickles or cascades down from the
top of the wall. The water is fed back up from a pump and tube to the top and
this process continues. Note that most water walls require a filter to be
installed to avoid clogging from mineral build up. These are an elegant water
feature idea that can go both indoors and outdoors. There are different
sounds of cascading water depending on the type of material used for the
front panel. These are increasing in popularity especially in corporate settings.
The addition of LED lighting makes for a truly stunning piece of decoration.

Figure 1.1 waterwall wit LED

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Figure 1.2 Water wall

Rain Curtain
Rain curtains are a great design piece to add moving water to a room. These
can be built both indoors and outdoors. Indoor units are typically made with
thin clear strands that run from the top of the unit to the water channels
where the water is then fed back up through a pump to fall back down again
in a continuous motion.

Figure 2 feeling of serenity

Scupper / Waterfall Spillway / Sheer Descent / Ledge Fall / Sheet Fall

Scuppers are water features where water flows down a small ridge before
descending into a pool, pond, or water container. There are many variations
and names as well as materials (aluminum, acrylic, plastic, fiberglass). These
produce more sound than a rain curtain or water wall and are a spectacular at
night with the addition of LED strip lights built into the spillways. Waterfall
spillways and sheet falls are similar in that they are thin flattened flows of
water coming down in a long line the width of the spillway unit.

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V
Figure 3.1 Representing a waterfall

Figure 4 sheetfall down the staircase

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Nature has been curing each and every living creature on earth since ages. And
water being a part of nature creates a connection between mind and environment
to make it relaxed .water features are therefore being used in such spaces so that
people can recover faster. Patient gets calm and relaxed and better sleep without
worries which help the body to recover quicker .this natural healing is proven most
affective than any other sort of treatment because our mind and environment play
a important role in well being of health. Hence Water can be used as a element in
healthcare centers.

Figure 5 patio

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Figure 6 soothing entrance

Figure 7 waterscreen in living

CHAPTER 4
CONCLUSION
The miraculous impact of water features in calming and plummeting stress has
been studied. This can help in designing a stress free environment due to soothing
features of water. They can also be used in places like offices, clinics etc to reduce
the outside irritating noise replacing it with mesmerizing sound of water. Places
where the people are working continuously under stress could benefit by the
installation of water features at their work places for example in call centers the
operators are under stress continually solving the problems of people.
Various types of features can be designed depending on the spatial availability the
age group and type of space to get a higher quality of living by natural healing.
Water features can relax calm excite or create different feelings design plays
important role in creating the positive response in people.

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