Water features at Dominican Square in Brno
Dominican Square – since the 14th century Fish Market – fish from suburban ponds and the Svratka River basin – fish imported from coastal areas – carps, pikes, barbles, perches, eels, catfish, salmon, smelts, oysters – all-pervading water and fishermen's tubs – above all this watches over the god of all waters – a representative place in front of the town hall – a place for rest and refreshment – two fountains – one with an allusion to fishermen's tubs and schools of fish in them – the other with an allusion to Neptune's trident – the history of Brno meets its present
No. 2 / WATER ELEMENT IN THE CENTRAL PART OF DOMINICAN SQUARE
No. 1 / WATER ELEMENT IN FRONT OF ST. MICHAEL'S CHURCH
IDEA
The concept of the design is based on the historical function of Dominican Square, where fish markets took place and the area had even borne this name since the 14th century.
No. 2 / BRNO
Fish, fishermen's tubs, and the ubiquitous flowing water are characteristic of the fish markets. This became the starting point for the water element placed in the central part of the square. It consists of a low cylinder (fisherman's tub) with walls formed by a school of fish swimming around. The fish are arranged in three rows, giving the impression that they fill the entire cylinder. This is the focal point of the whole square. The element must not overshadow the town hall, must not interfere with the planted plane trees, must be attractive both with and without water, and should not act as a barrier. The proposed fountain is directly integrated into the square's surface, surrounded by a rim of granite cubes, the same as the entire square; just next to the fountain is a channel for draining overflow water, and another is located among the plane trees below. "In the walls" between the fish, water flows (the strength of the current can be adjusted as needed); above it, there is a low "pool" extending to the first row of fish, which can "boil" (currents of fish, bubbling... bubbling in various directions, speeds, and intensities), create mist (a cloud of mist), etc. The upper water surface is lit and can be allowed to freeze in winter while keeping the light shining (reflection from fish scales). All technologies can be controlled according to the current mood, and time intervals can be set. A still surface can also be created, in which the surroundings are mirrored in the fountain, providing a moment for contemplation.
The fountain's space is defined by four plane trees with stone benches – Babeta, Lada, Kveta, and Karel.
No. 1 / THE UNIVERSE
For the second element, located in front of St. Michael's Church, it was necessary to find an entirely different approach. More spiritual, ethereal. The fountain is located near the ground floor of the buildings with large glazing, so large vortices of water would not be desirable; at the same time, it should only complement the entire area, leaving the view of the church's façade dominant from the benches, and it should not visually compete with the more ornate and significant fountain in the center of the square. Additionally, it was necessary to cope with the very uneven terrain. The idea retains a connection to "Fish Market" - water and fish, but it is more abstracted. The result is a simple cuboid embedded into the terrain, with modified paving and a channel similar to that of the central fountain. The upper section also has a low "pool" with water and lighting. The area can again "boil" (currents of fish, bubbling, etc.) and create "mist" (a misty blanket) – again according to set time intervals. A still surface can again be created, where the nearest surroundings are mirrored in the fountain. In the highest part (in the area of the lowest terrain), the edging is disrupted by notches, and water flows from it. From above, when approaching along Dominican Street and from the Great Spalíček, we perceive the water surface; when approaching from Veselé Street, we perceive "strings" of flowing water between the "teeth" – the teeth of Neptune, the god of all waters' trident, which thus "combs" his domain. Neptune also references the Parnas fountain in the Vegetable Market, which draws from antiquity and Rome.
SPACE
No. 2
Central element - the dominant feature of the space.
It is a cylinder with a diameter of approximately 5000 mm, with the lowest height of approximately 450 mm and the highest of approximately 1350 mm. The upper surface is about 50 mm deep.
No. 1
Longitudinal element - an addition to the space.
It is a cuboid with a plan area of approximately 5000x750 mm. The height changes from about 450 mm to 1050 mm at its highest point. The upper surface is approximately 100 mm deep, with the "teeth" cut to half of that height.
TECHNOLOGY
No. 2 + No. 1
Water and lighting (all technologies) are controlled from existing shafts. Access to the interior parts of the fountains is provided, ensuring the possibility of all inspections. Water can flow, boil (bubble, stream), and mist. Water is illuminated by a system of LED lights. Everything can be set in time intervals, according to current needs.
MATERIALS AND CONSTRUCTION
The fountains (visible parts) are made of bronze, mounted on a concrete base structure at a depth that does not freeze. The change in paving at the elements consists of granite cubes sized the same as the existing cubes in the central square. Lighting is resolved using LED technology.
No. 2
Individual fish will be cast separately and then welded into the final school in multiple rows (to create the impression of depth). The fish are partially abstracted but remain substantial (three-dimensional), reflecting all possible species – they are their representative. It is a combination of multiple shapes, even though they share the same base. The school is visually interesting; it is not merely a repetition of a single cast; from a distance, the cylinder is pleasantly "blurred".
No. 1
The bronze cuboid has its edges treated with a gentle rounding; the "teeth" are cut sharply, as is the entire upper edge.
No. 2 / WATER ELEMENT IN THE CENTRAL PART OF DOMINICAN SQUARE
No. 1 / WATER ELEMENT IN FRONT OF ST. MICHAEL'S CHURCH
IDEA
The concept of the design is based on the historical function of Dominican Square, where fish markets took place and the area had even borne this name since the 14th century.
No. 2 / BRNO
Fish, fishermen's tubs, and the ubiquitous flowing water are characteristic of the fish markets. This became the starting point for the water element placed in the central part of the square. It consists of a low cylinder (fisherman's tub) with walls formed by a school of fish swimming around. The fish are arranged in three rows, giving the impression that they fill the entire cylinder. This is the focal point of the whole square. The element must not overshadow the town hall, must not interfere with the planted plane trees, must be attractive both with and without water, and should not act as a barrier. The proposed fountain is directly integrated into the square's surface, surrounded by a rim of granite cubes, the same as the entire square; just next to the fountain is a channel for draining overflow water, and another is located among the plane trees below. "In the walls" between the fish, water flows (the strength of the current can be adjusted as needed); above it, there is a low "pool" extending to the first row of fish, which can "boil" (currents of fish, bubbling... bubbling in various directions, speeds, and intensities), create mist (a cloud of mist), etc. The upper water surface is lit and can be allowed to freeze in winter while keeping the light shining (reflection from fish scales). All technologies can be controlled according to the current mood, and time intervals can be set. A still surface can also be created, in which the surroundings are mirrored in the fountain, providing a moment for contemplation.
The fountain's space is defined by four plane trees with stone benches – Babeta, Lada, Kveta, and Karel.
No. 1 / THE UNIVERSE
For the second element, located in front of St. Michael's Church, it was necessary to find an entirely different approach. More spiritual, ethereal. The fountain is located near the ground floor of the buildings with large glazing, so large vortices of water would not be desirable; at the same time, it should only complement the entire area, leaving the view of the church's façade dominant from the benches, and it should not visually compete with the more ornate and significant fountain in the center of the square. Additionally, it was necessary to cope with the very uneven terrain. The idea retains a connection to "Fish Market" - water and fish, but it is more abstracted. The result is a simple cuboid embedded into the terrain, with modified paving and a channel similar to that of the central fountain. The upper section also has a low "pool" with water and lighting. The area can again "boil" (currents of fish, bubbling, etc.) and create "mist" (a misty blanket) – again according to set time intervals. A still surface can again be created, where the nearest surroundings are mirrored in the fountain. In the highest part (in the area of the lowest terrain), the edging is disrupted by notches, and water flows from it. From above, when approaching along Dominican Street and from the Great Spalíček, we perceive the water surface; when approaching from Veselé Street, we perceive "strings" of flowing water between the "teeth" – the teeth of Neptune, the god of all waters' trident, which thus "combs" his domain. Neptune also references the Parnas fountain in the Vegetable Market, which draws from antiquity and Rome.
SPACE
No. 2
Central element - the dominant feature of the space.
It is a cylinder with a diameter of approximately 5000 mm, with the lowest height of approximately 450 mm and the highest of approximately 1350 mm. The upper surface is about 50 mm deep.
No. 1
Longitudinal element - an addition to the space.
It is a cuboid with a plan area of approximately 5000x750 mm. The height changes from about 450 mm to 1050 mm at its highest point. The upper surface is approximately 100 mm deep, with the "teeth" cut to half of that height.
TECHNOLOGY
No. 2 + No. 1
Water and lighting (all technologies) are controlled from existing shafts. Access to the interior parts of the fountains is provided, ensuring the possibility of all inspections. Water can flow, boil (bubble, stream), and mist. Water is illuminated by a system of LED lights. Everything can be set in time intervals, according to current needs.
MATERIALS AND CONSTRUCTION
The fountains (visible parts) are made of bronze, mounted on a concrete base structure at a depth that does not freeze. The change in paving at the elements consists of granite cubes sized the same as the existing cubes in the central square. Lighting is resolved using LED technology.
No. 2
Individual fish will be cast separately and then welded into the final school in multiple rows (to create the impression of depth). The fish are partially abstracted but remain substantial (three-dimensional), reflecting all possible species – they are their representative. It is a combination of multiple shapes, even though they share the same base. The school is visually interesting; it is not merely a repetition of a single cast; from a distance, the cylinder is pleasantly "blurred".
No. 1
The bronze cuboid has its edges treated with a gentle rounding; the "teeth" are cut sharply, as is the entire upper edge.
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