Summer heat is starting to become more evident and a water feature might just be associated to an improvement in garden life quality… And the same is applicable to any public space in a city.

By its reflexive properties, the conveying of movement, its sound, the relaxation it brings, or even the way it adds a pinch of mystery to the space, water may be crucial for the life of a public space, amusing the youngsters and refreshing the elderly.

From the simplest and most functional to the most extravagant, we may find in a wide range of fountains, tanks, and other water features in several cities.

Here are some examples:

Fountains:

Bern, the capital of Switzerland, has over 100 fountains, but the one that has lured in both children and grown ups is the one in the parliament square. With its high water jets which alternate, this fountain has become an attraction, creating a vibrating atmosphere in the centre of Bern.

It features 26 water jets, representing each of the 26 cantons of the Swiss confederation.

A well known fountain in Portugal is the monumental light fountain in Lisbon. A truly majestic element, representing an era, thus becoming an element of our heritage.
It was built to celebrate the regular supply of water to the eastern part of the city.
Inaugurated in 1948, this fountain has a symbolic value and a role in the design of the urban space, being a decorative fountain, which spreads good energies, but does not allow, however, direct interaction.

Water mirrors:

In Lisbon, near the Discoveries monument, is set an impressive water mirror which creates quite an interesting visual link to the river.

Still in Lisbon, we may consider the lake in the Amália Rodrigues garden as a water mirror. A round water feature, with very little depth. It is one of the main elements in this park, and is accompanied by a wonderful terrace named Linha d’Água (trans. Water Line).

Lakes:

Up in the northern part of the country, the lakes over in Porto’s city park are a landmark. Skilfully displayed, they integrate the whole of the park’s system and allow for an effective recovery/accumulation of water, which is drained from other spaces in the park. There isn’t a soul that is indifferent to the water after a stroll in this park, and even the birds love it… there are even lists of species associated to these lakes.

In a country with a climate like Portugal, our concerns with water waste and availability are in order. Wasting less water is a growing concern for every municipality.

In this type of scenario, creating closed circuit fountains which are not linked to the supply system, become very interesting solutions.

Underground water retention and draining ponds for posterior accumulation in lakes through the use of terraforming is an interesting principle, and it has multiple advantages.

Amália Souto de Miranda
Landscape Architect