HEWLETT-PACKARD

Professional Communication
Writing
8/22/2013

WATER AS AN ELEMENT IN LANDSCAPE

Sahiba Duggal 3rd Semester,MLA

VARIOUS FORMS IN WHICH WATER OCCURS IN NATURE AND HOW IT CHANGES THE CHARACTER OF THE LANDSCAPE.

The quantitative aspect of water is such that water covers 71% of the Earth's surface, and is vital for all known forms of life. Our rivers and oceans have resulted into creation of beautiful riverfronts and has given human diverse opportunities to explore life under water,in terms of diversification of plant and animal life example corals,jelly fishes which is an exquisite example of natures creation.These natural forms in which water occur supports a diverse variety of sea animals and plant life.

Niagara falls

Lake Ouachita, Hot Springs Natural valleys and lakes are also resultant of waters dynamism in nature. HOW MAN MADE WATER FEATURES ACCENTUATE A PARTICULAR LANDSCAPE IN MANY WAYS.

In todays world where technology and resources have reached to any remotest place, it has become relatively easier to incorporate water as an element in our landscaped environments for many reasons. The various reasons for incorporation can be: Physical attributes: Role that water plays in creating spatial organizations better in a particular concept where the presence of water holds a particular relevance in the whole landscape concept. Any landscape with the potential to hold a water body that can be easily maintained brings out the special quality of landscape than a landscape without water.Ripples of water, water falling in the form of drops,flowing water,water in creek are some of the examples of how water used in different forms produces different effects.

TYPES OF MAN MADE WATER FEATURES

Dynamic Forms
1. Cascading water.

Static Forms
1. Still Water. 2. Lake

2. Spouts.

3. Fountains Still Water: It gives a feeling of calmness and serenity which soothes the
senses gives a feeling of relaxation.

Fountains: It is more vibrant in natureas well as appealing to the eye,

generates feeling of enthusiasm and creates positive wave of mental well-being.

Spouts: Gives a healing effect as the intensity of flow of water is slow. Water falling: The sound of water creates the magic and also due to
fall of water,the intensity is higher.

Spouts Aesthetic Appeal:

Cascading water

The aesthetic appeal of water is such that the blue colour and the smooth texture of water appeals to the eye and imparts a soothing effect.

Microclimate:
Presence of water bodies in any landscape setting changes the microclimate by decreasing the temperature.

Therapeutic effect of water in landscape:

Physical health

Mental health

1. Sensual Effect. 2. Cooling. 3. Visually pleasing.

1. More interactive Environment. 2. Mood enhancing 3. Relaxation to the mind 4.Closeness with nature

Sensual Effect. A landscape with natural coast line is always a visual and psychological relief to the eye and senses as compared to the dry and arid landscape with scarce water. Links between landscape and health have been observed for a long time and in many different cultures and societies. The belief that viewing vegetation, water and other natural elements can ameliorate stress and is benecial for patients in healthcare environments dates as far back as the earliest large cities in Persia, China and Greece. Example: In the Middle Ages, the rst hospitals in Europe were inrmaries in monastic communities where a cloistered garden was an essential part of the environment used to bring relief to the ill. Visually pleasing. Looking at water in the form of waves, strong and gentle gives us a feeling of exhilaration and relieves our inner stresses both mental and physical. Cooling A brisk walk by the lakeside with cool breeze blowing refreshes us by virtue of the visual magic of water and the waves produced by the blowing wind.

Three main kinds of health effects have been identied in the study:
Short-term recovery from stress or mental fatigue, Fasterphysical recovery from illness.

 Long-term overall improvement on peoples health and wellbeing. Water thereby plays a crucial role in creating a meaning full and lively environment in landscape designed spaces and thus water should be used wisely as a tool to enhance users physical and psychological health.

ROLE OF WATER IN MENTAL WELL BEING MORE INTERACTIVE ENVIRONMENT An urban set-up is accentuated by adding water element.Apart from that the set up tends to become more interactive as water pulls people both children and other age groups near to it.If water feature produces sound ,it makes the set-up playful and vibrant making people stay for longer. Example: Lakesides

MOOD ENHANCING We all recognise the calming effect of a walk alongside a water body.As human beings have evolved in intimate contact with nature, they respond in a better way when with nature, especially water stimulates the senses. Our inner self relates instantly with the ambience and one feels in a better state of mind when surrounded by water. The sound of waves besides the sea soothes our ears and we feel the difference it makes to us as in todays world stress and noise has taken a toll on human and one really need the magical play of water to reduce the stress levels and help us to recuperate ourselves and build strengths of concentration,focus,decision making.

RELAXATION TO THE MIND Water effects the senses in a positive way as the environment created breaks away from the noisy areas. Thereby the mind releases out stress.

CLOSENESS WITH NATURE With rapid urbanization it has become a difficult task to establish contact with nature in our day to day lives, whereas nature is an integral part of our existence.Presence of water and greenery in our daily routine starting from our home to office place makes our working capacities better and efficient in comparison to the monotonous office environments and other places.