Modern Trends In The Creation Of Fountains In Summer Cottages And Estates

2024 Author: Sebastian Paterson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:47

Creation of fountains at dachas and estates

There is something fascinating, mysterious in the play of water jets rising into the sky: it seems that heaven and earth unite in them, and time dissolves … But its inexorable run does not pass without leaving a trace, remaining, like a mirage of past times, in beautiful works of art - fountains, giving delight, tranquility, comfort, peace of mind and hope for the future.

A bit of history

The fountains have a long and rich history. From time immemorial, legends about the gardens of Persia and Mesopotamia with magnificent fountains and artificial waterfalls, as the embodiment of the beautiful paradise gardens on Earth, come down to us.

Over the centuries, the purpose and use of fountains has fundamentally changed, much depended on the culture of a particular country and, of course, the era. If in ancient gardens their purpose was more practical - they served for irrigation, then over time fountains became an attribute of luxury and pleasure.

But in order to make the jets of water rise up, play, complex hydraulic systems are needed. A mention of the first hydraulic pumps used to operate the fountain can be found in Vitruvio, dating from the 1st century BC, then in Herone Alexandrino. The water was collected in a reservoir placed at a height, then it was fed through pipes to a lower place, where, under pressure, the falling water set in motion a fountain. It is interesting that the system they described, for the operation of fountains, using natural water drops, existed practically unchanged until the Middle Ages.

It was this system that was used to operate the fountains at the famous Italian Villa d'Este in Tivoli (see photo 1). Its numerous fountains, fountains, waterfalls of various shapes, work without a single pump to this day. The central fountain is especially impressive. Its water jets set in motion the keys of the organ, playing enchanting melodies under the water drops. They were written by the composer F. Liszt, fascinated by the beauty of the fountains when he was staying at the villa.

During the Renaissance, this system was modernized and improved, although the principle of operation did not change significantly. But this gave rise to a new development of fountains, they become the center of architectural or landscape ensembles, they are decorated with sculptures, mythological characters, animals playing with water jets, creating wonderful visual effects, a special, unforgettable atmosphere.

With the advent of romanticism, parks in the English style came into fashion, without chic and pomp. The architecture of water sources has also changed, they have become more natural and simpler.

For example, this fountain located in the famous Villa Torlonia in Rome, the former residence of Mussolini (see photo 2). It seems that a merrily gurgling stream of a fontanel fountain makes its way out of the ground, filling a small reservoir of interesting shape made of natural stones. And the towering silvery-gray rosemary bush, figuratively trimmed with a “slide”, only emphasizes the simplicity and naturalness of the “landscape”.

The development of technical progress changed both the face of the fountains and their sizes.

Since the 19th century, complex mechanical pumps, powered by electricity, motors have begun to be used to power fountains, and modern fountains, for which all technological advances are used, amaze the imagination with their effects, their jets can reach a height of 300 m, often they also use effects lights and light music.

Garden Ideas

Fountains were and remain a very beautiful and effective way of decorating any garden. Nowadays, landscape designers specially develop "water" landscapes both for small, so-called dream fountains, and for the design of huge landscape ensembles.

However, you can create your own unique corner with a fountain yourself, if you take advantage of the ideas proposed at the recent Expoflor exhibition in Rome. The fountains presented at it were very diverse, each had its own melody, its own face, but they were united by the fact that they all brought great pleasure to the visitors. I really wanted to move them to my site.

My attention was immediately attracted by a series of white limestone fountains with trays for flower pots, which give the impression that the fountain is immersed in greenery (see photo 3). By changing flowers in its niches, you can also change the general appearance of the corner in which it is located. The fountains of this series were also decorated with masks of animals and mythical heroes. They are perfect for those who decorate their garden in a Mediterranean style.

The fountain looked beautiful in the "rustic style", very popular recently. A small reservoir lined with natural pebbles with a fountain sprinkling water over the entire surface of the "rough" stone created the impression of a "natural" landscape (see photo 4). Illuminated by the rays of the sun during the day or by LED lights at night, the cascading drops shimmer with all the colors of the rainbow. Such a fountain will decorate both the main entrance and the terrace, where the family gathers together at the table, also made in a "rustic" style.

The fountain looks very elegant and beautiful, the water stream of which resembles a bell in shape (see photo 5). To obtain this shape, a special nozzle is used. At another fountain-reservoir, it seems that water is making its way from the rocks of a rock, an alpine slide into a natural reservoir of natural stones. It is perfect for winter and summer gardens. And it can be populated with goldfish and silky lotus flowers.

A fountain with crystal threads of water in a mini-pool with raised sides, in which niches with planted seasonal flowers are recessed, will give solemnity to the garden. The outer walls of the side are lined with slabs imitating old stone masonry (see photo 6). The approaches to it, the paths are also lined with stone slabs, their warm shade is emphasized by a lawn with emerald-colored grass.

And here is another project for the kindergarten, in which the bell fountain is located in an informal pond with free outlines, perfectly in harmony with the open space (see photo 7). The shore of such a reservoir with beautiful curves gives the impression of being natural. It flows smoothly into the lawn, where the plants are located along the horizon, thus increasing the space. Picked up with different flowering times, they will change this corner of the garden depending on the season.

What to make …

With all the variety of fountains presented at the exhibition, the same circulating water supply system is used for their operation. That is, the water from the fountain enters the reservoirs, and then into the distribution pipes and rises up again in beautiful jets. With such a system, it is important that the bottom of the water collection tank is clean so that pipes and filters do not clog.

Therefore, special attention was paid to the materials from which the reservoirs are made, they are very convenient to use, easy to clean, durable, and, importantly, create an impression of naturalness. For example, polished marble shards, bonded with special non-toxic resins, can be used for the shore or sides of the reservoir, they are easy to clean and at the same time create a beautiful effect of a natural lake.

Marble sand, sanded to a shine, will give the impression of a snow-white beach if used on the shore of a reservoir, and the bottom filled with it creates the effect of shimmering transparent clear water. Natural pebbles are the naturalness of a "water" corner, therefore, a reservoir with it will easily fit into any area, emphasize the beauty of the natural relief.

Many garden decorations have been proposed to the fountains to create "watery landscapes", such as dividing "walls" with beautiful artificial leaves or decorated with flowers to enclose the space and create a sense of privacy. Or a variety of coverings imitating emerald grass - for lawns. And for the paths there is a large selection of cobblestone tiles, with inserts for pots with flowers, embankments of monochromatic or multi-colored stones made on a special basis.

A wide range of nozzles was presented in order to give the jets of fountains different shapes: one, several, in the form of a bell, sheaf, waterfall. In a word, now with the help of these things and your imagination, you can create a wonderful corner that will delight you and your family members.