AQUARCH

Water
“If there is magic
on this planet it
is contained in
water”

-Loren Eisley
 TABLE OF CONTENT
AQUARCH

CHAPTER 1: STUDY OF ELEMENT

A) Frozen State
B) Flow State
C) Collection & Seepage
D) Evaporation
E) Condensation

CHAPTER 2 : PERCEPTION OF WATER

A) Color
B) Relationship with Light
C) Sound

CHAPTER 3 : WATER IN BUILT ENVIRONMENT

A) Abundance of Water
B) Lack of Water

CHAPTER 4 : CASE STUDIES

A) Aqua Architecture in Ancient Times
B) Aqua Architecture in Modern Times

CHAPTER 5 : CONCLUSION

AQUARCH ELECTIVES CONFERENCE 2020 PAGE 01

 Freezes

• On mountains peak
• Can be frozen
• Is hard
• Can be held in shape or form

• Frozen lakes – Hard Surface TAKES

• Igloos
FORM
Melts / Flows
• Fresh / Pure
• Rivers, streams,
waterfalls

• Fountain
• Canals
• Aqueducts
(Transportation)
DYNAMIC LIVELY
 Thermal
Evaporates adaptation, which
involves
physiological,
Transpires into air
psychological
Water vapor affects
environment
and behavioral
Humid environment factors, also plays
an important role
in assessment of
thermal

Condensation environments by
users.

• Rain
• Cools
environment
• Water droplets Macro Climate

• Shelter from
storm

Micro Climate
 APPEARANCE SOUND

COLOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH

LIGHT 1.Water is an excellent
conductor of sound,
Apparent colour’ is what • The surface qualities considerably better
one actually sees; it is of the water play a than air.
the colour resulting from fundamental role in
the combined effect of giving the 2.The goal of
true colour and any composition its final water sounds is that it
particulate matter, or effect—either acting as can be used in urban
turbidity a perfect mirror or open spaces to mask
giving a diffuse touch. road traffic noise.

• Reflection of water is 3 .Water features has

a way to bring some been made in the
of the nature inside context of the
the residence. It soundscape, which
provides a unique relies on both physical
beauty with the characteristics and
presence of water mental perception of
and its reflection of the aural environment.
the surroundings.
• For centuries, cultures
around the world have
viewed water as a sacred • What sparks
symbol of healing, cleansing human emotion.
and renewal. It washes away • When we see deep
dirt physically and waters, what
symbolically. happens under the
• Jam jam water flowing in the surface of water is
holy land of mecca, holy a mystery to the
gangajal flowing from the unaided eye. Just
ganges, etc are literal like human
examples. emotions. this
• There is also some sparks curiosity in
Relationship between water our mind and
with the birth of the universe. makes us stop and
• Sumerians , Egyptian Greek look for the
myth each have a water unknown.
goddess. • Watching water
• In these cultures water is trickle down, flow
sacred. and change path
• Also, water became the has a calming
central and connecting effect.
theme of the Mughal and • Ripples in water,
persian gardens. and still water are
• Where these gardens had also soothing to
ponds that reflected the watch.
image of paradise.
 Power of water
Methods of • Storm
conservation • Waterlogging
• Floods
Various vernacular • Tsunami
methods used by dry • Methods of shelter in
and desert regions these conditions.
• Stepwells (bavdis) ,
tanks, jhalra etc. in
Rajasthan

Leisure

• Swimming
• Spa
• Sauna
Singapore’s Jewel Changi Airport,
designed by Safdie Architects, sports
the world’s tallest indoor waterfall,
Diller Scofidio +
supplemented by a series of smaller
Renfro’s Blur
cascading waterfalls and terraced
Building
gardens. These serve a dual purpose
pumped water
Aesthetic and Cooling.
from the lake
atop which it
sat, shooting it
out as a fine
mist that
enveloped the
metal structure
in a thick white
cloud.
• Naturally occurring water bodies
tend to attract people.

• An arrangement needs to be made

for the human to inhabit that space
or an interface needs to be created.

• If not the water body tends to

deteriorate. Due to human activity
and negligence.

• When these spaces are deemed

sacred and are aesthetically and
thoughtfully made. They spaces are
respectfully maintained.

• In Indian history and history various

other cultures. Temples have been
tied to various water bodies.
 water is the key elements and indicator human life.
Approaching water ghat. Water as a lifeblood is important in
Aesthetic views, philosophies and cultures in the world and its
Various stones/ materials role is considered beyond its functional role as a
Water dispensing symbol of purity, birth and beauty. Water becomes a
Flushing and refilling factor in order to calmness, cleansing and peace.
Celebration of life – fountain Water placed in
Philanthropy – pyaus contemporary architecture and philosophy and in
Environment around water body terms of beauty, have offered outstanding works in
Water inside built environment philosophy and architecture.

Water plays an important role in the formation of

human
Water bodies that have a social
importance and are also
utilitarian At present, our everyday interaction with water in
sense of utility is restricted to the washroom or
kitchen.

Sacred spaces connected to

water bodies have most value
and are consciously and
aesthetically built. And our waste water is drained out into Lakes
and tributaries that get contaminated.

When social importance is

given then the space is Protecting and enhancing Existing water bodies Vs.
maintained. Bringing water into the structure.
 Water
Water has played an important role in the architectural
heritage of western India from the earliest times.

Settlements across India have flourished due to good

water management, irrigation and conservation
techniques.

In India, at some places where rainfall is scarce we see

unique built masterpieces due to varied climatic
conditions and geographical terrain

The basic concept underlying all these techniques is

that rain should be harvested whenever and wherever
it falls.

Studying historical structures help us to understand

the significance of water which acts as nucleus where
habitation starts to settle with evolution of culture.
 STEP WELLS
• Gujarati VAV, Hindi BAOLI or BAORI.

• Built at natural catchment of terrain ie lowest point so that

maximum water is collected.

• Subterranean edifice. Ie. Structure below earths

surface. Unlike The artificial ponds and reservoirs which
cannot keep water for a long time in the heat of summer,
stepwells sunk deep into the earth can have constant
flow of fresh water from the earth which is protected from
the heat of the sun.

• Stepwells were excavated several stories underground in

order to reach the water table, the level at which the soil
or rock is always saturated with water.

• Popular throughout India but particularly in arid regions

of the Indian subcontinent.

• The structures stylistically varied depending on the

culture of the region.

• Architectural features like pavilions, flights of stairs, and

colonnades, pulley systems etc. were built depending on
the needs and interaction with the water.
VAV / GOLBAOLIS
• Built by the nobility for civic,
strategic or philanthropic
reasons, baolis were secular
structures from which everyone
could draw water.

• These beautiful stepwells typically

have beautiful arches, carved
motifs and sometimes, and
niches on their sides.
RUDABAI VAV Adalaj, Gujarat
• Baolis within villages were mainly
used for utilitarian purposes and
social gatherings. Baolis on
trade routes were often frequented
as resting places.

• Stepwells used exclusively for

agriculture had drainage systems
that channeled water into the
fields.

RANI KI VAV Patan, Gujarat

It consists of three major parts:

1)The Vertical well (kupa) with an

arrangement for hauling up water
by buckets (ghata-yantra).

2)The stepped corridor leading

down several storeys into the earth
starting from the entrance pavilion
or Torana and ending at the water
level of the well;

and numerous intermediate tower

like pavilions (kuta) built as open Section of Rani ki Vav
halls (mandapa) in the stepped
corridor.

Plan of Rani ki Vav

• Delicately carved Geometric
and floral design at the
entrance of the well.
Interestingly same designs
are also seen in few artifact
recovered from the same
region which predates the
Rani ki Vav by thousand of
years and same designs are
still seen in the famous silk
woven Patola Saree of Patan!!!

• 292 intiricately carved pillars

once supported the pavilions
of the stepwell. Today 226
pillars have remained in
various states of preservation.

• Most common type of stone

material used for
monumental construction in
Gujarat is Sandstone which
being a soft stone decays with
time as one can observe in
the pics of the monuments
 Plan
Plan

Section Section

DADA HARIR VAV MATA BHAVANI NI VAV

Asarwa area 15 km off Ahmedabad, Gujarat. Asarwa, Ahmedabad, Gujarat.
AMRITVARSHI NI VAV
Panchkuva, Ahemdabad, Gujarat.

This vaav at Panchkuva lies within the

walled city of Ahmedabad adjacent to
the Panchkuva darwaza which is one of
the original walled city gates built in
15th century. According to the Sanskrit
and Persian inscriptions in the stepwell,
this well was built in 1723 A.D. by
Raghunathdas. Dug to a depth of over
50 feet with sparse ornamentation, it is
notable for its L-shaped plan and a
variety of branching arches.
 JHALARAS

• Jhalaras were built to ensure easy

and regular supply of water for
religious rites, royal ceremonies
and community use.

• The collection of water is from the

underground seepage of an
upstream reservoir or a lake.

• The city of Jodhpur has eight

Jhalaras, the oldest being the
Mahamandir Jhalara that dates
back to 1660 AD.

CHAND BAORI,
ABHANERI
• Chand Baori was built during the 8th and
9th centuries

• It has 3,500 narrow steps arranged in

perfect symmetry, which descend 20m to
the bottom of the well.
• The baori followed a precise geometrical
pattern.
Section of Chand Baori
• The consequent play of light and shadow
on the steps and details of the structure
gives it a captivating look.

• There are steps on the three sides while

the fourth side boasts of a pavillion with
three storeys with beautiful carved
jharokhas, galleries supported on pillars
and two projecting balconies enshrining
beautiful sculptures.

• At the bottom of the well, the air remains

5-6 degrees cooler than at the surface,
and Chand Baori was used as a
community gathering place for locals
during periods of intense heat. One side
of the well has a haveli pavilion and
resting room for the royals.
CHAND BAORI, Plan of Chand Baori
Abhaneri , Rajasthan.
 KUND
• Raja Sur Singh is said to have
built the earliest known kunds in
the village of Vadi Ka Melan in
the year 1607 AD.

• A kund is a saucer-shaped
catchment area that gently slope
towards the central circular
underground well. Its main
purpose is to harvest rainwater
for drinking.

• Kunds dot the sandier tracts of

western Rajasthan and Gujarat.
• Traditionally, these well-pits were
covered in disinfectant lime and
ash, though many modern kunds
have been constructed simply
with cement.
•

GOMTI KUND,
UJJAIN
 BAWRI
• Bawaris are unique
stepwells that were once a
part of the ancient networks
of water storage in the cities
of Rajasthan.

• The little rain that the region

received would be diverted
to man-made tanks through
canals built on the hilly
outskirts of cities.

• The water would then

percolate into the ground,
raising the water table and
recharging a deep and
intricate network of
aquifers.

• The walls of the

surroundings are carved out
in such a way that the water
remains cool during hot
summers. Hill top step pond, Plan and section of
Vasantgadh step pond,
Nahargar, Jaipur. Rajasthan
THE PEARL
ACADEMY,
Jaipur

Drip channels
running along the
inner face of the Jaali
allow for passive
downdraft
evaporative cooling,
thus reducing the
incident wind
temperature.

• The radical architecture of the institute emerges from a fusion of the rich traditional building and
contemporary architecture.

• The institute is located in a typical hot, dry, desert type climate on the outskirts of Jaipur in the
soulless Kukas industrial area.

• The architecture of the academy needed to be a confluence of modern adaptations of traditional

Indo-Islamic architectural elements and passive cooling strategies prevalent in the hot-dry desert
climate of Rajasthan such as open courtyards, water body, a step-well or baoli and jaalis.
• The materials used for
construction are a mix of
local stone, steel, glass, and
concrete chosen keeping in
mind the climatic needs of
the region while retaining
the progressive design
intent.
• The entire building is raised
above the ground and a
scooped out under belly
forms a natural thermal sink
which is cooled by water
bodies through evaporative
cooling.
• This under belly which is
thermally banked on all
sides serves as a large
student recreation and
exhibition zone and forms
the anchor for the entire
project.
• During the night when the
desert temperature drops
this floor slowly dissipates
the heat to the surroundings
keeping the area thermally
comfortable
Innovative Uses of Water in Architecture

From playful indoor pools to tranquil exterior

fountains to soaring waterfalls and grand lakes of
enormous proportions, architecture throughout the
centuries has engaged with water in endlessly
innovative ways.
Sometimes serving aesthetic purposes, but just as
often acting as centers of activity or promoting
sustainability, water features can take countless
different forms and serve multiple different
purposes. Below, we synthesize a series of water
features espoused by innovative contemporary
architectural projects, ranging from single-family
residential homes to vast commercial complexes.
 Indoor and Outdoor Pools

• While the swimming pool is a common feature of residential

homes in warm climates, some architects have been able to
push the boundaries of the conventional format of the
pool. SPBR Arquitetos’ Weekend House in Downtown Sao
Paulo elevates its pool to maximize sunlight, ensuring that
the tightly packed neighboring homes don’t overshadow the
essential feature.
• On the ground floor of the retreat, additional pools of water
serve a luscious indoor garden, ensconcing the main living
space on the central floor in natural features on either
side. Wiel Arets Architects’ Jellyfish House similarly sports
an elevated pool, cantilevered out from the main house and
sporting an infinity edge. With a glass bottom floor and
panoramic window at its attached edge, the pool filters
sunlight into the house and onto the space below, creating
fluctuating reflections of blue light. These designs challenge
the traditional concept of the sunken pool and interact
uniquely with light and nature.
Indoor Waterfalls
Known to connote both tranquility and a sense of
grandeur depending on their scale, indoor waterfalls
offer enormous creative potential to innovative
architects. Singapore’s Jewel Changi Airport, designed
by Safdie Architects, sports the world’s tallest indoor
waterfall, supplemented by a series of smaller
cascading waterfalls and terraced gardens. On a
similar scale, asap’s Emperor Qianmen Hotel is linked
across its many floors by a series of interconnected
water features. Starting with a pool cantilevered above
the rooftop, the water alternately flows out in
waterfalls or rains down, passing through a series of
interior channels and watering hanging plants through
artificial rainfall. The water ultimately finds its way to
an indoor waterfall, which plummets into an
underground spa.
 • Exterior water decorations are another more
traditional water feature, and can grace even
the most banal residential and commercial
structures in the form of fountains, channels,
Exterior Water Features and miniature waterfalls. Luis Barragan was a
noted proponent of such features, famously
stating that “In fountains, silence sings.” His
Lover’s Fountain in Mexico City embraces this
mantra, combining the serenity of water with his
characteristic colored walls and clean lines. A
more contemporary example of serene water
landscaping, Smiljan Radic’s Winery at VIK,
sports a vast sloping plaza of thinly running
water cut with low walkways. Throughout the
plaza, pieces of a sculptural installation by
Radic and Marcela Correa only add to the
tranquility. With a similar sensibility, IAPA
Design Consultants’ Zhao Hua Xi Shi Living
Museum integrates exterior pools of water into
the very fabric of the complex, with low shaded
seating areas looking out onto the tranquil
landscape.
 • While these landscape features utilize
still pools or fountains of water for
Using Water primarily aesthetic purposes, other
architects have integrated the water
itself for functional use. In some cases,
such as in the aforementioned Jewel
Changi Airport, water features serve
the dual purpose of natural cooling.
Brazil Arquitetura notably pioneers a
method of using water to better
waterproof flat roofs, preventing
leakage in a way that even the early
pioneers of modernism could not (both
the Villa Savoye and Farnsworth House
leaked). Similarly, Collective Urbano’s
Carpa Olivera utilizes the tide of the sea
to fill its pool, keeping the walls just
low enough to allow waves to spill over.
Both a sustainable and low-cost option
for a public social space, the pool is
punctuated by a sculptural spiral slide
and playful pop jet fountains.
Sources;
• MEDIEVAL WATER STRUCTURES AND GEOLOGY – INDIAN CONTEXT Prof. Dr. S.K. Vadagbalkar
• WATER AS AN ARCHITECTURAL ELEMENT - An Individual Contextual Study - Abdalrahman Elkot
• WATER-RELATED ARCHITECTURE AS AN IDENTITY ANCHOR OF CHANDERI-MADHYA PRADESH, India K. Shubhangi
and D. Shireesh
• http://www.rainwaterharvesting.org/rural/traditional1.htm
• https://www.esamskriti.com/e/Culture/Indian-Culture/Traditional-Methods-Of-Water-Harvesting-And-Applicability-2.aspx
• http://www.rainwaterharvesting.org/Rural/thar-desert_tradi.htm
• https://www.sahapedia.org/water-architecture-of-rajasthan-journey-through-jodhpur-and-bundi
• https://historum.com/threads/some-gems-of-rajput-architecture.101026/page-8
• https://architexturez.net/file/pnl-sm-anthill-yale-stepwell-exhib-20x24-mata-bhawani-composed-100-20x24in-jpg
• https://architexturez.net/file/pnl-sm-anthill-yale-stepwell-exhib-20x22-panchkuva-composed-22x20-jpg
• https://www.eares.org/siteadmin/upload/AE0317319.pdf
• Etc,.

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