Water in architecture

Abstract

In the interior of a Japanese Restaurant, water emerged from the wall slot to flow down a marble chute into the pool below. A fine example of how so small an amount of water can be used to so great an extent I was moved. "Is there more to it than meets the eyes?" I questioned myself. It was curiosity from this observation which has led to researching meanings of water in architecture. In the words of Maggie Toy, there are two poles to an aquatic architecture: "on one hand, water is a sensual element added to the act of construction to heal the irreparable wound created by the very act of building. While on the other hand, it is an element that develops the character of the built environment. Beyond these fundamental functions, water in architecture exists only as myths."(TOY, p15) I question whether this is an adequate description of aquatic architecture. This research is directed to reach an insight into how different aspects of water, namely mythical meaning and its natural states of stillness and motion, can contribute to aesthetic value in architecture. The study investigates the potentials and capabilities of water as an element in architectural composition.