Historic fountain restoration and renovation is a professional endeavor that seeks to preserve, conserve, revive, and protect fountains and water features, and associated ornamental objects, landscapes or other artifacts of historic significance. Thru history we have seen the design and construction of fountains and water features move in two diametrically opposed directions. From the aesthetic side fountain have become much more simple and have far less architectural and artistic features, alternately we have seen fountains develop as objects of spectacle thru the use of technology and the application of advanced systems, engineering, and components.
Architectural fountain conservation describes the process through which the material, historical, and design integrity of a fountain is prolonged through carefully planned interventions. The individual engaged in this pursuit is known as an architectural fountain conservator. The decisions of when and how to engage in an restoration intervention are critical to the ultimate conservation of the object. Ultimately, the decision is value based: a combination of artistic, contextual, and informational values is normally considered. In some cases, a decision to not intervene may be the most appropriate choice.
Fountain conservation deals with issues of prolonging the life and integrity of architectural fountains character and integrity, such as form and style, and/or its constituent materials, such as stone, brick, glass, metal, concrete, and systems . In this sense, the term refers to the professional use of a combination of science, art, craft, and technology as a preservation tool, and is allied with its parent fields, of historic environment conservation and art conservation.
Areas of Applied Fountain Restoration, Conservation and Renovation Include
Mechanical and Electrical Renovation and Historic Restoration.
Historic fountains have had been equipped with a multitude of systems to supply, filter, animate, light, and provide drainage. The most challenging aspect of historic fountain restoration is renovation of mechanical system since they are often buried within the structure of the vessel and ornamental features. These systems can be made of brass, copper, bronze, lead, terracotta, plastic, and steel piping and conduit. Because fountains are harsh environment for almost any material they tend to be the major week point in the longevity of a fountains operational life span. This coupled with the fact that there are very few fountain experts word wide and even fewer who actually install what they design leads to fountains that can fail to operate properly within a very short time of being commissioned. This in conjunction with the virtual nonexistence of expert fountain service providers further complicates the issues with regards to the long term operation and maintenance of these features.
For clarity we will divide the systems within a typical fountain into several categories and then address the issues associated with each.
1. Supply systems- These are defined as the system supplying water to the fountain or water feature. These can include public fresh water systems, well supply systems, and captured water systems, and natural sources such as ponds, streams, springs, ect. These systems help the fountain overcome water loss that can occur from wind, splash, evaporation, displacement, or leaks. Many older fountains supply systems were once thru systems meaning the water went into the fountain thru the supply pipes and after going thru the features, sprays, nozzles, and spouts, ended up in the vessel which then drained to a waste line or back into the same source the water came from. Today these are rare with the advent of sophisticated animation went thru and sanitation systems. In may cases these systems are replaced with up to date systems.
2. Animation system- This refers to the movement of water thru spouts, sprays, streams, waterfalls, mists, jets, ect.. This is the part of a fountain that the viewer generally perceives as the fountain. Historically these features emulated from stone or bronze sculptures and ornaments to form the spouts and sprays we associate with older antique fountains. Over time as the casting and machining of brass developed fountains became less about the ornament and more about the waters spray height and size. Larger and larger displays were a sign of mans ability to rule the natural elements and where therefore symbolic of power, status, and wealth Animation systems have now evolved into extremely complex systems run by computerized show controls that can create stunning spectacles. The animation system is considered the to be the piping, valves, nozzles, pumps, and associated fittings.
3. Sanitation systems- Early fountains were typically both a supply system and animation system and because the supply waters we thru once no sanitation was needed or provided. With the advent of concern about water quality, public health, water conservation, and the demand to put fountains were a large continuous water supply is not available, sanitation systems have become a required element of nearly every fountain system. The parts of this system may include circulation pumps, filters, chlorinators and chlorine generators, skimmers, and pH control.
4. Electrical system- This refers to the lighting, various sensors, timers, animation controls, pump power supplies, automated valves, bonding grids, and electrical panels. Virtually all fountains built or renovated in the last 50 nears have some type of electrical supply. Because the national electrical code changes every few years it is important that electrical safety issues are addressed regularly especially during a renovation.
5. The Vessel or Containment- This refers to the structure that holds the water that runs thru the plumbing systems and in most cases creates the pool we associate with a fountain. These pools are generally topped with what is known as a coping which is a decorative divider between the water and the surrounding space. Many new fountains are considerably different from the typical pool style fountain in that the stored water is hidden in a storage reservoir, and the water animation system shoots water up thru what might seam like solid paving. In this case the water flows to a drain system then flows into the storage tank. There are also many floating fountains that sit inside of existing bodies of water. Generally these fountains are the most inexpensive fountains to create a big effect for a modest investment. Containments can be made of earth with a lining system, fiberglass, structural concrete, stainless steel, glass, plastic, or masonry. In most renovation projects we find that the vessel has some type of structural or waterproofing issue that causes it to leak. These repairs can require the complete removal and replacement, of the vessel or simply the application of a membranes or sealers. Virtually every fountain is different so each project presents new problems that must be thoroughly thought thru and addressed.
6. Finishes and Architectural Elements- The most famous antique and historically significant fountains where heavily ornamented and covered with involved finish materials. As fountains have become more about animation and less about the fine arts of mosaics, stone carving, and sculpture, fewer and fewer fountains are being constructed with fine finishes. This is one of the most important reasons for the restoration of these pieces of fine art due to the fact that they are becoming so rare and cost prohibitive to recreate. So few people are capable or recreating these pieces of fine art that they are virtually irreplaceable. Because of this we take the conservation of these finishes and elements so seriously. Please go to www.outerspacesinc.com to find out more about stone, brass, and bronze conservation.
Best Regards
Robert Nonemaker
Principal
Outerspaces Inc
robertnonemaker
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