Water Features In Interiors

Transcription

1 Water Features In Interiors Aditi Goenka,Prof. Apeksha Jain Department of Architecture Anand College of Architecture, Keetham Id - goenka.ads17@gmail.com 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. Keywords: Environment, Involvements, Individual, Mysterious NEED OF THE STUDY "Water" a symbol of life is nature s 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 individual s 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 To study the types of water features that can be used in the interiors. 2 To study how people respond to each type of water feature. 3 To study the physiological impact of water features. 4 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. The study is confined to interiors. 2. The study is based on data collected from web 1 Page 1-7 MAT Journals All Rights Reserved

2 METHODOLOGY Water Feature in Interior Defining Aim and Objective Data Collection Book Green interior design by Lori Dennis Literature Internet Comparitive analysis Survey No live survey are performed Self Analysis Defining Parameters Studying various water feature Analysing human response Conclusion CHAPTER 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, 2 Page 1-7 MAT Journals All Rights Reserved

3 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. CHAPTER 2 Water as a element in interior design Water bodies as elements inside the house acts as enhancer in the interiors and helps in bringing positive energy. Water bodies in the interiors looks charming and elegant in the home decoration and personalizes the home interiors and makes it look classy and lavish [1,2]. The design of the water body depends on the availability of space for creating the water feature. For small apartments use of small water fountain or aquarium makes the space relaxing. Modern design and sound creates a positive, amusing, natural atmosphere in the room. Water body in wall niches adds to the beauty of space. 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 CHAPTER 3 Types of water features Waterwall These are used at places were water slowly trickles or cascades down from the top of the wall. The water is sent up from a pump and tube to the top and this cycle continues. Most waterwalls require a filter to be installed, to avoid clogging from mineral build up. These water feature 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. 3 Page 1-7 MAT Journals All Rights Reserved

4 Figu 1.1 waterwall wit LED Fig 1.2 Water wall Rain Curtain Rain curtains are a form of moving water they are amusing design feature to add moving water to a room. They can be installed both indoors and outdoors. Indoor units are made with thin clear strands that run from the top of the unit to the water channels where the water is sent up through a pump to fall back down again in a continuous motion. Fig 2 feeling of serenity Scupper / Waterfall Spillway / Sheer Descent / Ledge Fall / Sheet Fall These water features are used where water first flows down to 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). Sheet fall produces a pleasant sound.it is much more effective than rain curtain and look 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. 4 Page 1-7 MAT Journals All Rights Reserved

5 V Fig 3.1 Representing a waterfall Fig 4 sheetfall down the staircase 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 5 Page 1-7 MAT Journals All Rights Reserved

6 important role in well being of health. Hence Water can be used as a element in healthcare centers. Fig 5 patio Fig 6 soothing entrance Fig 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. 6 Page 1-7 MAT Journals All Rights Reserved

7 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. REFERENCES Page 1-7 MAT Journals All Rights Reserved