Integrating Water Features into your Design:

Achieving a Natural Look

Presented by

David Duensing, Associate Member ASLA, NAPP

Chris Brown, ASLA

Interaction opportunities with water

Introduction:

Defining the Features Purpose

Getting

up Close

and

Personal

Introduction:

Defining the Features Purpose

Koi ponds

allow for

feeding and

viewing

Minimize rock,

sharp corners

and plants

Introduction:

Defining the Features Purpose

“Living” water

vs.

“Sterile” water

Introduction:

Defining the Features Purpose

Estate Garden with Reflections

Introduction:

Intimate to Majestic

Private Botanic Garden With a View

Introduction:

Intimate to Majestic

“Pond-Less” Waterfall

Introduction:

Intimate to Majestic

Displays of Color

Introduction:

Intimate to Majestic

Formal Water Features

Introduction:

Styles

Introduction:

Styles

“Natural–Like” Mountain Trout Pond

Introduction:

Styles

Snow Melt

Mountain Stream

and

Trout Pond

Introduction:

Styles

Japanese Water Gardens

Traditionally

Very

Detail

Oriented

Introduction:

Styles

Commercial Project Prior to Landscaping

Introduction:

Styles

Size Basins and Streams

Most Common Design and Build Mistakes:

Sizing Basins and Streams

Most Common Design and Build Mistakes:

Sizing Basins and Streams

Cisterns

as

Reservoirs

Liner Edge Detail

Most Common Design and Build Mistakes:

Improper Edge Techniques

Most Common Design and Build Mistakes:

Liner Edging

Concrete

Perimeter with

18” of Excess

Liner

Liner Secured

Vertically

Most Common Design and Build Mistakes:

Liner Edging

Design and Use of Rock

Improper Proper

Most Common Design and Build Mistakes:

Application of Rock

View From Roadside

Most Common Design and Build Mistakes:

Making Water Visible

View from Restaurant Patio

Most Common Design and Build Mistakes:

Making the Water Visible

Close Up View

Most Common Design and Build Mistakes:

Making the Water Visible

Avoid Excessive Rock

Around Edges

Most Common Design and Build Mistakes:

Necklace Effect

Communication,

Design

and

Execution

Most Common Design and Build Mistakes:

Aesthetic Clarification

Selecting and Sizing Equipment

•Mechanical Filtration

•Biological Filtration

•Pumps

•Pipe

•SterilizationUnderstanding Quality:

Guidelines

Equipment Packages

Understanding Quality:

Proper Equipment Sizing

Upsize

filtration

to

reduce

frequency

maintenance

Understanding Quality:

Properly Sizing Equipment

EPDM Lining Installation

Understanding Quality:

Durable, UV Resistant, “Fish Safe”

Design Fundamentals:

Design Fundamentals

Scale and Placement

Working with the Elements

Design Fundamentals

Orienting the Work and the Views

Develop Views and Destinations

Design Fundamentals

Developing Views and Destinations

Make the Water Easily Visible

Design Fundamentals

Visual and Audible Options

The Sounds of Falling Water

Design Fundamentals

Visual and Audible Options

Easy and Secure Access

Design Fundamentals

Interaction Opportunities

Koi pond with

supported granite

slab walk

Greenwich, CT

2004

Design Fundamentals

Interaction Opportunities

Design Fundamentals

Interaction Opportunities

Solid Perimeter and Destinations

Ponds

Design Fundamentals

Interaction Opportunities

4E2 Private

Viewing

Area

Beach

Access

Design Fundamentals

Interaction Opportunities

Rock Formations and Water Courses

Design Fundamentals

Replicating Nature

Structure to Chaos

Design Fundamentals

Replicating Nature

4K3

Design Fundamentals

Replicating Nature

Waterfalls

&

Streams

Design Fundamentals

Replicating Nature

Waterfalls Require “Randomness”

Design Fundamentals

Replicating Nature

Landscape In and Around the

Water Feature

Design Fundamentals

Replicating Nature

Rock Formations

Inside and Outside of the Water Feature

Design Fundamentals

Replicating Nature

Bring Sound and Motion to a Garden

Design Fundamentals

Replicating Nature

Sub-Structure

Considerations

National Wildlife

Federation, DC

2001

• Frost

• Unstable Soils

• Seismic Activity

• Back Fill

• Bearing Loads

Construction

Materials and Methods

Construction

Materials and Methods

Fiber Reinforced Concrete

Construction

Materials and Methods

Indoor

Game Fish

Pond

Poured

Concrete

Sub-Structure

Construction

Materials and Methods

Pond Lining Materials

• Rubber

– EPDM, sheets

– EPDM, liquid

• Plastic

– PVC

– Vinyl

• Concrete

• Clay

Construction

Materials and Methods

Completed Pond All Materials Secured and Hidden from View

Construction

Materials and Methods

Lifting and Setting Rock

Nylon straps

are very

strong and

help protect

the rock

during

installation

Construction

Materials and Methods

Geotextile

padding under the

rock adds

protection to liner

Lifting link

and chains are

often used on

massive boulders

Construction

Materials and Methods

Rocks Formations: More Authentic Emerging

from the Soil or Water

Construction

Materials and Methods

Rock as Garden

Elements

Construction

Materials and Methods

Protect the moss

and lichen during

transport and

installation

Construction

Materials and Methods

Aquatic

Plants

• Provide Filtration

• Habitat for Aquatic Life

• Helps Transition from Landscape to Water

• Helps Tie Hardscape to the Water Feature

Construction

Materials and Methods

Construction

Materials and Methods

Construction

Materials and Methods

Waterfalls

do not need to

be large to be

heard and

enjoyed

Acoustic and Visual Elements

Controlling What is Seen and Heard

•Volume

•Pitch

•Direction

Making the Water

Stand Out

• Reflect Light

• Textured Weirs

• Irregular Weir Edges

• Separating the Water

from the Rock

Acoustic and Visual Elements

Controlling What is Seen and Heard

Authenticity

in the

Rock Wock

Acoustic and Visual Elements

Controlling What is Seen and Heard

Acoustic and Visual Elements

Controlling What is Seen and Heard

Cost Drivers

Site Conditions

Client Goals

Design

Cost Drivers

Elements Influencing Cost

Site

Accessibility

And

Conditions

•Trees

•Unstable Soils

•Springs

•Material Storage

Cost Drivers

Elements Influencing Cost

Complexity of Design and Automation

Cost Drivers

Elements Influencing Cost

Baseline Specifications

• Mechanical Components

• Materials

• Aesthetics

• Contractor

• Site Conditions

Specifications

Meet Client’s Goals

VFD’sVariable Frequency Device

• Control pump motor

speed

• Reduces electrical

consumption and

operating costs

• Reduces wear on pumps

and plumbing

• Allows for variable flows

during different times of

the day or night

Specifications

Meet Client’s Goals

Qualifying

a

Water Feature Contractor

Determine:

– Years experience building water features

– Scope and scale of experience

– Visit contractors projects and talk with clients

– Review portfolio and define contractors actual

participation in work shown

– Contractors understanding of your particular concerns

and needs

Specifications

Meet Client’s Goals

Integrating Water Features into your Design:

Achieving a Natural Look

Questions & Answers

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© The American Society of Landscape Architects