When we think of sustainability in buildings, water features might not immediately come to mind. However, fountains have increasingly become a critical design element that supports various sustainable building certifications, such as WELL and BREEAM. These two certifications aim to create spaces that promote health, well-being, and environmental efficiency. This article will explore how thoughtfully designed and strategically placed fountains can contribute to achieving WELL and BREEAM certifications, making them valuable assets for any green building project.
Understanding WELL and BREEAM Certification
Before diving into the role of fountains, it’s important to understand what WELL and BREEAM certifications entail. WELL is a building standard focused primarily on human health and well-being. It considers how various design elements—such as air, water, light, and comfort—impact occupants’ physical and mental health. The WELL Building Standard is structured to enhance well-being through design, operations, and behaviors within the built environment.
On the other hand, BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) is one of the world’s leading sustainability assessment methods. BREEAM addresses energy efficiency, water management, ecology, pollution reduction, and material usage, promoting overall environmental performance. This certification evaluates both the environmental impacts of a building and its potential to foster healthier environments.
The Overlooked Role of Water Features in Sustainable Design
In the context of sustainable design, fountains have traditionally been seen as luxury items rather than functional ones. However, the mindset is evolving. Modern water features, including fountains, are no longer merely aesthetic but are actively integrated into sustainable designs. Fountains can contribute to several key areas that align with the criteria of WELL and BREEAM certifications, such as air quality, social interaction, and overall environmental benefits.
Let’s take a closer look at how fountains can serve as supportive elements in achieving WELL and BREEAM certifications.
Fountains and WELL Certification
The WELL certification is primarily people-centric, focusing on the health and well-being of building occupants. Here’s how fountains can align with WELL’s different pillars:
1. Enhancing Air Quality
One of the key elements of WELL certification is indoor air quality. While fountains are typically outdoor features, their indoor variants can significantly contribute to improving air quality inside a building. The movement of water in fountains releases negative ions, which help to neutralize pollutants and reduce dust levels in the air. This improves overall air quality, making indoor spaces healthier and more comfortable for occupants.
Fountains also help to regulate humidity levels. For buildings located in dry climates, fountains maintain optimal indoor moisture, reducing dryness that can irritate the respiratory system and skin. This aligns with WELL’s air quality standards, which emphasize minimizing pollutants and maintaining a comfortable humidity range for occupant health.
2. Mental and Emotional Well-being
WELL certification has a strong focus on mental well-being. Access to natural elements, including water, can positively affect mood and reduce stress levels. The sound of flowing water is inherently calming and can help in reducing background noise, making an environment more peaceful. A strategically placed fountain can create a serene corner where occupants can escape the hustle and bustle of daily office life.
Research has shown that natural water features can reduce stress and enhance creativity and productivity. Incorporating fountains in lobbies, courtyards, or even workspaces creates opportunities for employees and visitors to take a moment to relax, which aligns with WELL’s requirement to provide restorative spaces within buildings.
3. Encouraging Physical Interaction
WELL also emphasizes active design—creating spaces that encourage people to move. Outdoor fountains in plazas, gardens, or courtyards provide attractive destinations that encourage occupants to step outside, take a walk, and interact with their surroundings. These features act as focal points, attracting people to areas that promote walking and activity, thereby supporting both physical fitness and social interaction.
Fountains and BREEAM Certification
BREEAM certification focuses more on environmental sustainability and resource management, where water features like fountains can also play a pivotal role.
1. Water Management and Efficiency
Water usage is a key aspect of BREEAM, with a focus on reducing consumption and managing resources efficiently. The inclusion of fountains may seem counterintuitive to water conservation, but advances in fountain technology have enabled these features to contribute positively to water management.
Many modern fountains are designed with water recycling systems that continuously reuse the same water, minimizing waste. Fountains can be equipped with efficient pumps that adjust water flow based on environmental factors such as wind speed, further reducing water loss through evaporation and splash. Additionally, capturing and storing rainwater to use in fountains aligns with BREEAM’s requirements for responsible water use, promoting efficient management of resources.
2. Promoting Biodiversity
BREEAM also rewards projects that contribute to enhancing local biodiversity. Fountains, when designed thoughtfully, can serve as ecosystems for small aquatic plants and organisms. Fountains within larger green spaces, such as gardens or urban parks, can help establish a thriving micro-ecosystem, attracting birds, insects, and other wildlife. This contributes to greater ecological value and aligns with BREEAM’s focus on enhancing and protecting local biodiversity.
For example, including shallow water areas around fountains can help foster habitats for pollinators like dragonflies and bees, supporting urban ecology and biodiversity. This interplay between fountains and natural habitats creates opportunities to develop green spaces that contribute meaningfully to sustainability.
3. Heat Island Mitigation
Urban heat islands are a significant concern in many cities, with hard surfaces such as concrete and asphalt absorbing and re-emitting heat, leading to higher temperatures. BREEAM places importance on mitigating these effects to improve the comfort of urban spaces.
Fountains help in cooling their surrounding environment through evaporative cooling. The evaporation of water from the surface of fountains reduces ambient temperatures and creates a cooling effect, which helps mitigate the heat island effect. By incorporating fountains into building design, particularly in urban courtyards or rooftop gardens, buildings can contribute to reducing urban temperatures, helping them meet BREEAM’s climate resilience goals.
Best Practices for Integrating Fountains in Sustainable Design
Successfully integrating fountains to achieve WELL and BREEAM certifications involves careful planning and consideration of several key factors:
1. Water Conservation Technologies
To maximize efficiency, fountains should be equipped with modern water management technologies, such as:
- Closed-loop systems that recycle water and minimize waste.
- Rainwater harvesting systems to source water naturally.
- Sensors to detect environmental factors and adjust water flow accordingly.
- Low-energy pumps to reduce electricity usage.
These technologies ensure that fountains not only add beauty to a project but also align with water conservation requirements, minimizing their environmental footprint.
2. Location and Context
The placement of a fountain significantly affects its impact. For WELL certification, fountains should be placed in areas where occupants can easily access them for restorative breaks. Indoor fountains should be in communal areas, such as lobbies or atriums, where people pass frequently. Outdoor fountains should be placed in courtyards or gardens to promote walking and relaxation.
For BREEAM certification, fountains should contribute to ecological enhancement, making it ideal to place them in conjunction with green spaces or areas that encourage biodiversity, such as rooftop gardens or natural ponds.
Another innovative approach is to use solar-powered fountains, which align perfectly with BREEAM’s emphasis on renewable energy. Solar-powered pumps ensure that the fountain’s electricity consumption has minimal environmental impact, while also demonstrating the use of sustainable energy sources within the project.
The Future of Fountains in Sustainable Design
The role of fountains in sustainable building design is only expected to grow as architects and designers increasingly recognize their value. With advancements in technology, including improved water recycling systems and renewable energy integrations, fountains will continue to evolve as significant contributors to building sustainability.
Moreover, as urban spaces become denser, the need for elements that enhance mental well-being, mitigate heat, and support biodiversity becomes even more crucial. Fountains are uniquely positioned to address all of these needs. They bring natural elements into otherwise sterile environments, creating spaces that are not only beautiful but also healthier for people and kinder to the environment.
The use of smart technology in fountains is also expected to play a significant role. Smart fountains equipped with sensors can optimize water flow, adjust patterns, and reduce energy consumption based on real-time environmental data. Such innovations will further solidify their role in supporting sustainable building certifications and the overall vision for greener, healthier built environments.
Conclusion
Fountains are much more than decorative elements—they have the potential to actively support sustainable building practices, enhance well-being, and improve ecological balance. By contributing to air quality, promoting physical activity, managing water efficiently, enhancing biodiversity, and reducing urban heat, fountains align closely with the core goals of both WELL and BREEAM certifications.
For developers and architects aiming for these certifications, integrating fountains into building design can be a strategic move that offers both functional and aesthetic benefits. As technology advances and the principles of sustainable design continue to evolve, fountains are set to become an even more integral part of the landscape of sustainable, human-centric buildings.
