Vattenanläggningar som gestaltningselement i offentliga miljöer

Abstract: By way of introduction, mans relationship to places is described and the factors that contribute to the reality that we prefer some places more than others. A good place to stay is open but well defined, gives protection, offers a good view and is varying in topography and vegetation, together with contents of single landscape elements like visible water. This study then continues to discuss mans relationship to water and its means for our wellbeing. Despite the fact that people have a different relations to water due to personality, background and age, it's an element that raises positive feelings, interest and aesthetic pleasure for most people. Water is an element that enriches a place with sight- hearing- and scent experiences that gives the visitors a feeling of being away from the daily stress and demands. The aesthetic qualities of water and how factors like movement, calmness, sound, light and colour affects the way people experience water in a construction, are described. Water is an element without colour and form and is participating in an eternal transformation taking colour and form from its surroundings. Important initial points for designing with water are then being discussed. The conditions of the place, the design elements and physical material being used and some of the references and inspirations used in the creation of water constructions. Furthermore the functions of the different water environments and the factors determining the design of the construction are described. To give an insight in the creative designprocess of different water enviroments and to enlighten the problems that can arise, three water constructions are described and analysed. Finally some of my own ideas on how to work with water as an architectural and room building element are presented. The chosen place is Davidshallstorg in the centre of Malmö and the ideas are presented in some proposal sketches. The purpose is to show how a square can get a new identity by adding water.