City Park Planning Using Concrete Fountains
History of Concrete Fountains
Fountains have been part of city parks since the Babylonians and the Hanging Gardens. In ancient times, fountains in the park served as a water source for horses and humans. Unfortunately, this greatly increased the risk of disease, along with the lack of an enclosed sewage system. The Romans were the first people to build concrete fountains. They were the first civilization to actually work with something close to ?Portland cement?, using the ashes of volcanoes to provide the phosphorus and bitumen to cure it.
Fast forward from the fall of the Roman Empire to the Renaissance period and during this time, the concept of an ornamental fountain gained resurgence. Many fountains were carved from marble and hard stone; however, concrete fountains began to grow in popularity as a fountain material choice. Also during the renaissance period came the idea that city parks should be less functional and more recreational. View a distinctive collection of concrete fountains at http://www.garden-fountains.com/Categories.bok?category=Garden+Fountains.
With the Industrial Revolution and the ability to circulate water under pressure, rather than through gravity falls off of aqueducts, the ornamental fountain became a centerpiece in modern city park design, starting in the 1840s. It wasn't until the invention of true "Portland cement" in the 1870s that cement fountains in city park planning became a standard design item that urban planners built around.
Turn of the Twentieth Century
While most fountains built in city parks were inspired from classical designs, several "modernist" designed wall fountains also made their way to park design across the country, including several in Chicago, New York and St. Louis. Wall fountains were often used to subdivide parks into discrete areas. This may have also included foliage as well as an integration of harmonious integration of all elements in park design, following the teachings of Leigh Bridge and Nolan, two notable civic planners in the 1910s and 20s.
After World War II, when American productivity was at an all time high relative to the rest of the world, many American cities (and American businesses) began installing fountains in their city centers and city parks, both wall fountains and ornamental concrete types. Most of the fountains aped the styling of the Renaissance period.
Some concrete fountains went for abstract geometric shapes, or integrated lighting systems, and a few even integrated subsonic sound systems to reinforce the relaxation of falling and splashing water. Most were made of sealed concrete. Sealed concrete fountains are low maintenance and easy for park officials to take care of and they provide a natural congregation point within a park. They are excellent locations for park goers to sit around and talk, watch their children, eat lunch, read a newspaper, play chess, or just watch people go by.
Modern Usage of Concrete Fountains
Many more city planners are getting behind the idea of fountains in park design, following the display of monuments like the Washington Monument in Washington D.C. or the Lincoln Memorial. Other notable concrete fountains include the one in Kirby Plaza, shown in the finale of the NBC hit series Heroes, and the fountain outside Soldier Field that started up during the opening credits of the now canceled television show, ?Married With Children.? A good concrete fountain is a solid addition for civic park planning and don?t forget to look for wall fountains too, as they are also extremely delightful. To view a unique collection of wall fountains visit http://www.garden-fountains.com/Categories.bok?category=Wall+Fountains.
Elizabeth Jean is a frequent contributor to http://Garden-Fountains.com, the Internet?s #1 resource for wall fountains, indoor fountains and garden statuary.
Related Articles:
Cast Stone Wall Fountains Look Great Indoors Or Outdoors
A popular choice for wall fountains is cast stone wall fountains, primarily because they add a great deal of beauty associated with artistic sculpture, and also provide the sound of flowing water which is relaxing and calming to homeowners and their guests as well as visitors to commercial buildings
Building Your Rooms Around Indoor Water Fountains
If you want you home to be a true place of escape from the harsh realities of life in the modern world, you will take a big step towards realizing your wishes by adding some interior water fountains to your d'cor indoor fountains are priced for every budget from the most frugal to the most frivolous, and not only add some much needed humidity to your homes interior; they add a much needed sense of calm with their soothing cascades of water and their gentle lighting
Water Fountain: Another Perfect Decor For Your Home
Fountains are the best choices for providing a more relaxing and tranquil feel to a place. It is no wonder why these fountains are always present in places identified with relaxation such as in city parks, theme parks and malls, among others.These fountains have went into a lot of transformations throughout its course of history. From being used for supplying water for drinking and bath; to decorative pieces of architecture.
Floating Fountains: Not Just For Places Any More
Floating fountains, in previous centuries, were reserved for the majestic places of the world like royal residences and buildings of state. But in the 21st century, floating fountains grace public spaces like city and state parks, or even shopping falls. Floating fountains are no longer for the exclusive enjoyment of the rich and famous.
Wall fountains have Disease healing Capabilities- Is it true?
While some of the people think that the wall fountains are for mere decoration, some others believe that these ultimate pieces of art have a disease healing nature. So what is the truth? Are the disease healing capabilities of the wall fountains just myths? We are sure that you will find a clear answer for this question if you keep reading on this article.
SoothingWalls.com Intros Distinctive Wall Signage That Soothes; Unique Logo Water Fountains Provide Impact and Serenity to Office Environments
SoothingWalls.com, a leading online water features retailer of floor and wall fountains for home, office and garden, has introduced a line of logo wall fountains that utilize the senses of sight and sound to create highly impactful office environments.
Where Should You Put Your Indoor Fountain?
Okay, you've looked at a selection of indoor fountains, read water fountain articles to zero in on the fountain you want and are about to make the order, when you wonder: Where is my indoor fountain going to fit? Good question! It's easy to let enthusiasm for such an attractive, novel piece of new décor get ahead of practical considerations. Before you get paralyzed by indecision, think about the following factors. These should help you better integrate an indoor fountain into your home's interior design.
Water Fountain: A Perfect Choice For Your Home
Fountains have gone through a lot of transformations during its course of history. From being used for supplying water for drinking and bathing; fountains have evolved into decorative pieces of architecture. Fountains during the ancient times were built as tools for water supply and for decorative purposes.It was only afterwards when the function of fountains were changed.
Getting Your Outdoor Water Fountain Ready For Winter
Winter’s coming, so it’s time for you to decide what to do with your outdoor water fountain. Water Fountain Place’s fountain experts routinely get requests on how to winterize or store garden fountains. Many fountains come with specific instructions about care and handling, so make sure to follow them. Otherwise, take a look at the following guidelines:
Browse through an Array of Beautiful Indoor and Outdoor Fountains at PremiumFountains.com
When searching for high quality water fountains for the home or office, there is no better place to turn to than Premium Fountains, and now, Premium Fountains is proudly announcing its newly redesigned website at which offers potential customers with more information about the myriad fountain designs which are currently available as well as important information about elegant custom-designed fountains. Premium Fountains offers nothing short of high quality, and with the Premium Fountains website, visitors are now able to find out more about these beautiful fountains and easily shop our large selection.
Indoor Wall Fountains: Beautiful And Beneficial
The addition of indoor wall fountains can transform any room in a home from appealing to spectacular. Indoor wall fountains are designed so that they can be installed on any wall in a home, and will add accents ranging from the formal elegance of a bygone day to the sleek and streamline look of contemporary fashion.
Picking The Best Outdoor Fountain For Your Budget
When the weather warms up, it's time to think about your garden again. An outdoor fountain is a popular addition, and it's a great idea to think about getting one before spring begins in earnest. That's the best time to save on outdoor fountain purchases. Don't worry about storage; modern water fountains are self-contained units with simple instructions for storage and setup. Outdoor fountains come in a wide range of prices. As one of the leading online water fountain merchants, Serenity Health provides the following tips for selecting the right water fountain for your budget.
Install An Indoor Fountain In Four Steps
Do you want to enhance your home with an indoor fountain? Indoor fountains stimulate all five senses, act as a conversation piece for guests and are available in so many different styles that you can easily find one to suit your décor. Water Fountain Place experts want people to know how simple it is to install one, so they’ve contributed an easy four step process.
Wall Fountains: Adding Elegance And Classic Touch To Your Home
Home make over and improvement is something worth doing. Home improvement activities are better way of spending our free time due to its numerous benefits. Not only they improve our home's aesthetic appeal, but home improvement activities give us a dose of satisfaction. With home improvement activities, we can enjoy a more relaxing and more inviting home.
Wall Fountains And Improving Your Home
Home make over and improvement is something worth doing and it is quite important.Home improvement activities provide us with an ideal way of spending our free time and at the same time, give us numerous benefits.Not only they improve our home's aesthetic appeal, but home improvement activities give us a dose of satisfaction. With home improvement activities, we can enjoy a more relaxing and more inviting home.