Islamic Garden Design Quiz

Water in Landscape Architecture

• Water is used for both utilitarian and visual purposes
• Utilitarian uses include providing a source of food, drinking, bathing, transportation, cooling the air, buffering sound, and irrigating soil.
• Visual use includes aesthetic value and recreation in garden design.

The Use of Water in Islam

• Purification (Tahara): ablution to achieve purity
• Cleansing and Hygiene: Islam emphasizes cleanliness and personal hygiene, considering water the best cleansing method.
• Sustainable Stewardship (Khilafah): Emphasis on responsible stewardship of Earth's resources and the use of water. The Quran encourages responsible use and cautions against wastefulness.
• Acts of Charity (Sadaqah): Providing access to clean water is a virtuous act in Islam, and contributing to the construction of wells, water sources, and infrastructure for clean water is seen as a noble and rewarding deed.

Water as a Design Element

• Categories of water for design:
  • Natural water bodies (sea, river, streams, waterfall, lake, pond)
  • Designed/man-made water elements (various types of water features)

Water Features

• Visual and sensory attractions.
• Can be a major attraction in a space.
• Reflect the quality of a garden or space.
• Types based on motion and character:
  • Flat, static water
  • Flowing water
  • Falling water

Flat, Static Water (Pool)

• Bodies of still water, any size, placed in a well-defined container.
• Primarily used for reflection
• Examples: still water pools, ponds

Flat, Static Water (Pond)

• Designed to appear natural or semi-natural
• Naturalistic line quality, often with plantings.
• Typically free-form or curvilinear shape.
• Commonly located in park-like settings, usually at the lowest elevation of the landform.
• Evokes a pastoral and vernacular mood, often creating a relaxing atmosphere.

Flowing Water

• Any moving water contained in a defined channel (canal, etc.)
• Sounds can vary from subtle gurgling to loud rushing sounds, creating different moods (tranquility or dynamic energy).
• Examples: canals, streams, etc.

Flowing Water (Channels)

• Conduits that contain flowing water
• Linear in form to convey a sense of movement and decentralize meaning
• Sensual effect depends on water volume, flow rate, channel size, shape, and steepness.

Falling Water

• Water moves over and down a sudden drop in the elevation of the channel, expressing the force of gravity.

• Depends on volume and rate of flow, condition of the edge, height, and nature of the fall, the surface terminating the fall.

• Types of Falling Water:

  • Free-fall
  • Obstructed fall
  • Sloped fall

• Example Benefits: The spattering of water creates a cooling effect by masking noises through evaporation.

Other Types of Water Features (Water Jets)

• Large volumes of water forced through small apertures create high velocities.
• Commonly used to draw attention, punctuate the landscape, and highlight special points in bucolic settings.
  • Example types: single orifice jet, aerated jet, spray jet, and formed multijets.

Various Types of Water Features

• Water wall, waterfall, comb weirs, water jets, water curtains, elevated water table, water channels

• Principles to consider

  • Lighting, Music, Sequence speed,
  • Basic consideration: moods, give attention, sense of joy, excitement

Effects from Water Feature Characteristics

• Line: Define space, express experiences & emotion, give movement
• Texture: Pleasant to touch, aesthetic value
• Form: Water has no shape, characteristic determined by its container
• Color: Material, give dramatic impact, lighting
• Motion: Static or dynamic

Water as a Design Element in Islam

• Reflecting Pools: Common in Islamic gardens; serve as decorative and practical features, creating a reflective surface to enhance the surroundings and provide a sense of tranquility.
• Fountains and Water Channels: Frequently used for both decorative and practical purposes, like irrigating vegetation; the sound is believed to have a calming effect.
• Qanat Systems: Ancient methods of underground water channels used in traditional Islamic gardens for efficient water distribution and irrigation, minimizing evaporation.
• Islamic Geometric Design: Geometric patterns are prevalent in Islamic gardens, providing a visually harmonious environment. The patterns sometimes extend to water features.
• Courtyard Gardens: Designed to be contemplative places; usually feature central fountains or pools, and the presence of water enhances the serenity.
• Ablution Pools: Found in gardens surrounding mosques for ritual cleansing (Wudu).
• Water Basins/Reservoirs: May serve as reservoirs for irrigation and decorative features.
• Water Wells: Provide water source and add historical and cultural aspects to a garden design.

The Importance of Water Features in Landscape Architecture

• Commonly incorporated into public parks and spaces for aesthetic and functional aspects.
• Offer diverse benefits and are a popular choice for designers for creating inviting and multifunctional spaces.

Aesthetic Appeal

• Enhance visual appeal of public parks/gardens.
• Reflective properties enhance beauty and tranquility.
• Focal points, creating beauty and tranquility.
• Enhances overall experience via multisensory.

Recreation and Play

• Water elements can support recreational activities (e.g., boating, fishing, interactive features such as fountains.)
• Offer opportunities for people, especially children, to engage with water in a playful way (e.g. interactive fountains, splash pads, wading pools).

Enhanced Social Spaces

• Gather points within public spaces, focal points for social interaction.
• Encourages social interaction by creating a sense of community and a welcoming environment for visitors.

Relaxation & Well-being

• Visually appealing and emotionally alluring.
• Sight and sound are soothing effects for people.
• Associated with stress reduction and peaceful experiences.
• Psycho-physiological benefits from the presence of water.

Ecological Benefits

• Promote groundwater recharge, support biodiversity, and provide habitat for aquatic and land based organisms.
• Water features attract wildlife (birds, insects, etc.)
• Naturalistic water features support ecological balance and overall health of the park's ecosystem.

Temperature Regulation

• Water features can have a cooling effect in hot climates, helping moderate temperatures for park or premise visitors.

Stormwater Management

• Well-designed water features contribute to better stormwater management by capturing and slowing down runoff, helping prevent erosion and flooding.
• Support sustainable water use (directly bridge the gap between human experience and performance of the buildings).

Cultural & Symbolic Significance

• Water has significant roles within many societies.
• Incorporation of water into landscape design expresses cultural identity and symbolic meanings, particularly related to purity, life, and renewal.
• Express cultural values/tell stories, or commemorate important events.

Principles in Designing Water Features

• Focal Points: Establish a focal point to direct attention to a specific area using elements like a fountain, sculpture or distinctive pattern
• Scale & Proportion: Ensure the water feature's size is appropriate for the overall landscape while considering the scale of surrounding elements
• Unity & Harmony: Integrate the water feature with the overall landscape design to ensure the water feature complements surrounding elements (e.g., plants, paths, and structures).
• Contrast & Variety: Introduce variations in water levels, textures, and materials for visual interest and variety, while simultaneously ensuring the water features do not create a lopsided appearance.
• Sound & Sensory Experience: Pay close attention to the auditory experience that the water feature provides (e.g., flowing water, waterfalls) to enhance the overall sensory appeal and promote a calming atmosphere.
• Rhythm & Movement: Incorporate movement through cascading waterfalls, flowing streams, or dancing fountains to add dynamic life and energy to the landscape.
• Accessibility: The water feature should be accessible and safe for people to enjoy, by considering the implementation of pathways, bridges, and viewing areas.
• Cultural & Contextual Relevance: Consider local traditions, history, or aesthetics during the planning stages of the water feature.
• Sustainability: Design water features with sustainability in mind and incorporate eco-friendly practices.

Maintenance Considerations

• Integrate design elements to facilitate easy maintenance (e.g., accessibility for cleaning), choosing durable materials and suitable plants for the water feature environment.