1. Introduction. Aims and objectives of the diploma project 1.1. The aim of this diploma project With the continuous expansion of urban zones, the… [308691]

1. Introduction. Aims and objectives of the diploma project

1.1. [anonimizat] a rate hard to keep up to. A [anonimizat], and just improves the neighborhood reputation. Research shows that beauty is one of the top three factors in creating community attachment to a particular town or city. It's really helpful to understand some urban design principles to introduce vibrant creative art into otherwise dull urban spaces.

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[anonimizat] a drinking urban fountain that is both aesthetically pleasing and functional. [anonimizat] a resting place and attracts people’s attention and/[anonimizat].

Sources of water are inherently valuable. Especially in a city, [anonimizat], [anonimizat]. [anonimizat], were one of the major progressive steps forward for civilization.

1.2. Objectives of this diploma project:

Designing and developing a modern drinking water fountain placed outdoors (or indoors too) that provides passing citizens with clean water and a beautiful sight. The main characteristics targeted for this water fountain are:

Interesting aspect and design: [anonimizat], and vivid urban spaces. Visual and aesthetic attractions are themselves an impressive element in designing urban spaces. The water fountain is interesting to observe and analyze its semiotics

Interesting water flow observation: Though this is a [anonimizat]’s interesting to note that the water fountain’s structure allows the viewer to observe its water flow (drainage) with the help of transparent pipes.

Accessibility: The water fountain was designed with accessibility in mind; [anonimizat], while the other servers adults.

Hygiene: This is one of the most important aspects of this product as the fountain must always provide fresh clean water; therefore it was designed with safe materials such as stainless steel and acrylic plastic which do not life support bacteria or mold and also do not harm the body.

Low maintenance: While this is not an ordinary sculpture, but a functional product which does require some level of maintenance, it’s safe to say it’s easy and affordable to keep it in good standing.

Easy to install: The fountain is light and easy to install, without requiring specialized tools to assemble or specialized staff.

Low production cost: The fountain is designed with inexpensive, easy to obtain materials, simple manufacturing process and easy assembly.

1.3. Project activities

In order to complete the project objectives, the following activities are to be achieved:

Documentation, cultural analysis and local used case studies

Finding conceptual solutions for the product

Establishing the basic shape and first product criteria

Designing and detailing the product

CAD design and assembly of the product

Technical calculus, drawings, environmental analysis

Creating a model prototype of the product

Final conclusions

1.4. Gantt Chart

A Gantt chart, commonly used in project management, is one of the most popular and useful ways of showing activities (tasks or events) displayed against time. On the left of the chart is a list of the activities and along the top is a suitable time scale.

Below is a Gantt diagram showing an estimated time schedule for the project regarding all the parts and their duration from its start until the presentation date.

2. Research and Documentation

2.1. General description

A drinking fountain, also called a water fountain or a bubbler, is a fountain designed to provide drinking water. It consists of a basin with either continuously running water or a tap. The drinker bends down to the stream of water and swallows water directly from the stream. Modern indoor drinking fountains may incorporate filters to remove impurities from the water and chillers to reduce its temperature. Drinking fountains are usually found in public places, like schools, rest areas, libraries, and grocery stores. Many jurisdictions require drinking fountains to be wheelchair accessible (by sticking out horizontally from the wall), and to include an additional unit of a lower height for children and short adults. The design that this replaced often had one spout atop a refrigeration unit.

Today, with a new set of health challenges, drinking fountains are still a crucial element of any healthy space. Water is the healthiest substance people can put into their bodies; free, clean drinking water provided in public places provides an alternative to sugary sodas. They also reduce dependence on the environmentally degrading plastic bottles for water and sodas (millions of which are thrown away every year), and save people money.

Drinking fountains (also known, in regional variations, as water fountains or bubblers) are a key indicator of the relationship between people and place. Accommodating and including all of a city’s users, including children, the homeless, tourists, dogs, and daily commuters, can be measured by provision and maintenance of amenities such as the humble drinking fountain.

The mere act of providing a drinking fountain in the first place is a major step in the right direction. But for those seeking to go above and beyond in the observation or installation of drinking fountains, their greatness can be roughly expressed in the following terms:

Aesthetics (beauty, uniqueness, color, maintenance)

Taste (fresh vs. disgusting)

Temperature (too hot, too cold, just right)

Flow

Functionality (drainage, relationship with context, placement)

Ergonomic Comfort (buttons, pedals, height, texture)

Inclusiveness (public, accessible for disabled people, reachable by kids)

2.2. General aspects

When designing a drinking fountain or any other water circulating edifice, one must take into consideration a set of basic design rules for fountains and water displays.

To design the hydraulics system for a fountain with moving or active water, a very firm idea must be developed as to how the fountain will look, and the appearance it is supposed to have. These types of water displays need not be strictly separated from each other, there are mixed forms and combinations of different types, but if one just wants to utilize the possible combinations, then he should be aware of the differences. Every water feature displays its optical and acoustical appeal against the background of its environment, be it an element of the garden, a park, or town landscape. The designer must take this into account. First, there is an introduction to the simple construction principals of a fountain unit and a summary of the range of components, then a description of the most important construction variations with their typical advantages and disadvantages.

Not under trees:
Fallen leaves, insects and bird droppings contaminate the water and can clog up the suction filters in the pumping system.

Not exposed to high winds:
Unfavorable wind conditions disturb the desired water pattern and can take the water in the fountains over the edge of the basin Height of water columns/jet should not be greater than the distance to the nearest edge of the basin.

Water-saving basin depth:
To reduce water use during changes required for cleaning the basin and prevent accidents to children, the basin and thus the water depth, should be kept as shallow as possible (typically 16 to 18 inches).

Protection by cover gratings:
The cavities in the fountain basin which are necessary for accommodating the equipment should be covered by gratings.

Freshwater supply:
A permanently installed freshwater pipe with automatic topping up and pump drive running safety device should always be provided, especially for public installations.

Securing the power supply cables:
If the fountain requires power, then power supply cables should be installed in underwater junction boxes; this is essential for public installations.

Protection during winter:
Precautionary measures for the winter should be taken at the planning stage, Above all, it must be possible to protect the pumps from frost by removal if necessary.

2.3. History and Culture

The drinking water fountain has a history which dates back into pre-history with the ancient Greeks and Romans. It has been a method of allowing ordinary people to be able to drink water provided by the local water authority.

In Roman history, water (brought by the great aqueducts) literally made ancient Rome the great city it was, and supported a population of 1 million people (a size Rome didn't reach again until the 20th Century). The water was distributed throughout the city in thousands of fountains, some magnificent, some very humble.

Free water sources in public spaces, historically provided by philanthropists or cities themselves, were one of the major progressive steps forward for civilization. These fountains helped in preventing cholera, bringing water closer to the homes of the poor, and reducing reliance on alcohol, which was traditionally much safer to drink than filthy river water.

Drinking fountains have played an important part in London’s history since 1859 when the first fountain was unveiled in Snow Hill. That's when The Metropolitan Drinking Fountain and Cattle Trough Association was established in London.

Before its inception, private water companies monopolized the precious liquid, rarely providing enough of it, and what they did provide was rarely drinkable. In 1854, it was also contaminated with cholera, as was discovered by John Snow when he traced the epidemic to what is now lovingly known as The Broad Street Cholera Pump.

Regulation and a movement of sorts in favor of public access to water led to the government finally being able to buy out the private water companies, and the first public baths and drinking fountains began popping up in Liverpool, philanthropic citizens urged to take up the cause.

Philanthropist Samuel Gurney heard the call, and built the first fountain on Holborn Hill, a simple granite basin attached to the gates of St. Sepulchre-without-Newgate Church. Keeping a close eye on standards, it was required by the Metropolitan Drinking Fountain and Cattle Trough Association that "no fountain be erected or promoted by the Association which shall not be so constructed as to ensure by filters, or other suitable means, the perfect purity and coldness of the water."

The fountain and its refreshing purpose became instantly popular, and soon 7,000 people were stopping by for a drink every day. Clearly, the demand was high, and more fountains popped up, as many as 85 in the next six years. There was some funding by donation, but Samuel Gurney footed most of the bill.

The Gurney's original fountain includes two cups chained for drinking. The new drinking fountain idea took off from there and went on to include elaborate wells designed by leading architects of the day. It was moved from the gates of St Sepulchre-without-Newgate Church in 1867 when the Holborn Viaduct was built, but reinstated in 1913 where it remains to this day.

Though the look of the large edifice housing fountains varied across the decades and from place to place, the central mechanism was remarkably consistent. It featured three main components: A spigot that sent out a continual stream of fresh water, a basin for collecting the water, and a metal cup, attached by chain to the edifice, that was kept in the basin of water. Thirsty passers-by would grab the metal cup and drink it dry, then put it back into the basin of water.

New York installed its first drinking fountain just a few months after London but it took until 1880 for fountains to really take off in the city.

New York City heeded The New York Times' call on June 10, 1859, when the city's first public drinking fountain was installed in City Hall Park downtown. The Times reported that "crowds" gathered to watch it get turned on, and added, "It is to be hoped that public drinking fountains in this city will soon be so numerous that they cease to be a subject of remark." Just 10 days after it was installed, City Council voted down a bill that would have provided funding for 50 more public drinking fountains. In a withering article, The New York Times chalked the decision up to financial interests, noting that "fountains have no votes, and free fountains can buy none. Grog-shops, on the contrary […] are notoriously prolific of votes."

It wasn't until around 1880 that water fountains really proliferated. Wealthy residents started underwriting their construction, and often emblazoned their name across the fountains. Yet well into the 1880s, new fountains were considered significant enough to warrant news stories in major newspapers. And large crowds would gather to watch them be turned on. In 1881, The New York Times wrote that a thousand people were present at the opening of the water fountain in Union Square.

At the beginning of the 20th century, people finally realized that common cups were completely disgusting and insane. People drank from all these early drinking fountains using metal cups, but around the turn of the 20th century, health advocates realized that was a terrible idea. The first major figure to speak out against the so-called common cup was Massachusetts Institute of Technology professor William T. Sedgwick, but other public health thinkers followed over the next decade, publishing studies demonstrating that common cups were capable of spreading disease. "Ban The Cup" campaigns convinced almost every state to pass laws between 1909 and 1912 making common cups illegal.

The proprietors of public drinking fountains sought alternate ways of dispensing water. One popular solution was to replace the permanent cup with disposable paper cups, which were invented in 1907. That way, water fountain patrons could still enjoy the same satisfying drinking process they always had, without spreading disease.

More often, though, they installed what were then called "sanitary drinking fountains," which required no cup at all. Though these had existed at least since 1900, they only became widespread after the "Ban the Cup" movement took hold. Sanitary drinking fountains came in various shapes and sizes, but most early ones featured a spigot that shot a jet of water straight into the air, like a miniature geyser.

In the late 1980s, drinking fountains became controversial once again because of lead poisoning. Some experts have been concerned about the possible health effects of lead for centuries, but it wasn't until the 1970s that lead poisoning became a national fixation, and the Environmental Protection Agency started taking serious measures to limit Americans' exposure to the metal.

As part of that effort, EPA employees tested water from school drinking fountains for lead in 1986 – and what they found was shocking. Many school drinking fountains were dispensing water that contained dangerously high levels of lead, because the design of the fountains included some lead components. Local investigations confirmed that the issue was widespread. Congress conducted hearings on the issue, and water fountain manufacturers rushed to develop new designs that eliminated the risk, but the damage to the reputation of drinking fountains was done.

Then drinking fountains met their strongest adversary yet: bottled water. Controversies such as the lead poisoning scare may have dented the popularity of drinking fountains, making them vulnerable to competition – which finally came, in the 1980s, in the form of bottled water. Starting in the late '80s, American consumption of bottled water skyrocketed, rising from about seven gallons per American in 1987 to 30 gallons per American in 2007. MacArthur fellow Peter Gleick argued that the rise of bottled water was instrumental in the declining popularity of drinking fountains. There are a host of reasons for that: People think bottled water tastes better, for one, and they don't like sipping from the slanted jets of drinking fountains.

A new dawn may be rising for drinking fountains. In recent years, various organizations have tried to reverse the movement against drinking fountains. They argue that the consumption of bottled water is wasteful, on several levels, and that we should embrace drinking fountains as a more sustainable, economic alternative. Some have proposed installing new, better drinking fountains, such as the one pictured above in London's Hyde Park, as a way to encourage their use. There's even an app that helps people find drinking fountains in public places. It's too early to say whether these efforts will succeed. But if the last 150 years have shown anything, it's that drinking fountains are resilient.

2.4. Analysis of existing products

Drinking water fountains come in all shapes and sizes with various design orientations. Some drinking fountains aim for functionality-only designs, while others incorporate beauty and art in their aspect.

Drinking fountains are a key indicator of the relationship between people and place. Accommodating and including all of a city’s users, including children, the homeless, tourists, dogs, and daily commuters, can be measured by provision and maintenance of amenities such as the humble drinking fountain.

Taking the above into consideration, we can classify the bubblers into the following categories:

Simple drinking fountains

Complex drinking fountains

Complex drinking fountains incorporate art into their design, accompanied by interesting shapes, vibrant colors and symbols. They go beyond the functional aspect of the product and aim to be an eye catching sight in its environment.

Below are a few examples of complex drinking fountains. Design features can be placed in different currents, aspects ranging from classic, fancy to simple and minimalist shapes.

2.5. Advantages and disadvantages of the different systems

Below is a table with different characteristics classified as advantages and disadvantages to some drinking fountain systems. These characteristics are of general nature and do not necessary apply to all products, but offer a broad perspective of some of the pros and cons in various situations.

2.6. List of requirements (specifications) for the new product

The User Requirements are described below. Every requirement is accompanied by a priority level. This priority level is mapped on integers from (1) to 5, where (1) stands for the highest priority and (5) stands for the lowest priority. User requirements marked with priority (1) and (2) will be implemented regardless of resources. User requirements marked with priority level (3), (4) and (5) will only be implemented in the priority order if resources allow.

The system must accomplish the following criteria:

2.7. Identifying and analyzing critical problems

Lack of Hygiene. Microbiological Hazards.

A recent microbiological study by the Consumer Focus Group in 2007 found contaminated water from 26% of water samples taken from water fountains. A total of 87 samples were taken in the study and bacteria such as Escherichia Coli (E-Coli) and Enterococcus faecalis and Pseudomonas commonly associated with stagnant water, were found to be present.

Also, many drinking fountains were dispensing water that contained dangerously high levels of lead, because the design of the fountains included some lead components. Local investigations confirmed that the issue was widespread. Congress conducted hearings on the issue, and water fountain manufacturers rushed to develop new designs that eliminated the risk.

Fountains with low water pressure were among the most highly contaminated. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), eight to 11 percent of the nation's schools may have water fountains contaminated with bacteria. The presence of these bacteria could be as a result of one or more of the following:

Insufficient and poor cleaning of the taps, trays and dispenser casing.

Cross contamination from the poor personal hygiene of users.

Failure to replace the filters regularly

Inadequate cleaning and maintenance of the dispenser pipe work

Incorrectly fitted systems which are not plumbed into mains water supplies

Drinking directly from the tap – contact with saliva, lips and fingers.

Health and Safety Hazards

Slips and trips are the most common of workplace hazards and make up over a third of all major injuries. When identifying a suitable location to site water dispensers it is important to take account of the potential for slips and trips from water spills. The following controls are implemented:

Suitable drip trays and/or drains are provided under the water tap which are regularly emptied to prevent overflowing.

The floor must be suitable for the type of activity that will be taking place on it where a floor can't be kept dry, people should be able to walk on the floor without fear of a slip despite any contamination that may be on it.

Malfunction and out of order units

If we take a case study of the drinking fountains of Brasov (Romania), we will find that besides poor hygiene, another big issue is the malfunction of the bubblers. Some of them don’t have a proper water flow (the pressure is either too high or too low) and some of them do not function at all. This is due to poor maintenance, poor plumbing and most importantly, lack of interest.

Unsafe materials and old age

Many old drinking water fountains are still around and functioning, even though they are made of unsafe materials for drinking water handling. They often rust or favor bacteria contamination. The use of materials such as stainless steel is highly recommended to prevent these issues and ensure a longer life-span.

Other unsafe materials include lead plumbing which is still used in some areas or cases and can cause lead poisoning, which is a severe type of metal poisoning which interferes with a variety of body processes and is toxic to many organs and tissues including the heart, bones and nervous systems.

Dull designs

While as not as high priority as hygiene and safety, the design of the water fountain is also important. Outdoor drinking fountains on streets and in city and village centers provide a great meeting place for people and their friends and family and can also serve as a tourist attraction. Many of the drinking fountains are purely functional and do not offer an interesting sight. Also, one might also get a sense of repetition because of very similar designs.

Lack of accessibility

Many drinking fountains cannot be used by disabled people, because they are either too tall or deny access with a wheelchair. Also, in many cases they are not accessible by children, requiring them to be lifted by adults (which is unsafe). Adequate shape and height are important criteria.

2.8. Local Case Study

The problems mentioned in the previous chapter are indeed widespread in the world and we encounter them more often than we realize. It’s easy to ignore a drinking fountain when you’re just passing by, probably not even interested by its aspect and ignore it. They’re aspect being very dull, it’s easy to just pass by and not even notice them, indeed, the surroundings in parks and other areas do look nice so they blend in and “hide” just perfectly.

On rare occasions (or maybe more often than we remember), you find yourself in one of these public areas feeling very thirsty and start looking for a drinking fountain nearby. If you do find one in the vicinity, chances are it is very dirty, rusted, malfunctioning or not functioning at all.

With the above mentioned, let’s do a case study of the drinking fountains in the city of Brașov, Romania. In Brasov, most of the drinking fountains are very old. They have received no maintenance at all, no cleaning and no checking. The town hall does not have a record of when these drinking fountains were placed, but after a little asking around we can safely assume most of them are at least 50 years old. Middle-aged citizens remember them from when they were young, although they recall most drinking fountains worked fine back then. With a little roaming around the city, it’s obvious the situation changed.

The project analyzes three areas of interest in the city of Brașov where there are drinking fountains present. The documented areas are: “Tractoru” Park, The Train Station and the “Titulescu” Park.

“Tractoru” Park

“The Sports Park of Brașov”, or the “Tractoru” Park (as it was formerly known until 2012), has an area of over 40 ha and is located in the “Tractoru” neighborhood. It is placed within the streets “13 Decembrie”, “Turnului” and the train tracks on the south side.

It is crossed by pathways surrounded by beautiful vegetation and plenty of benches for those who wish to rest or read a book. Inside this park, we find the Skating Rink of Brașov, roller-skate paths, football, mini-football and basketball fields, fitness machines and a beautiful water fountain. The playgrounds for children have been recently renovated and they also improved public lighting.

The access into the park is allowed day and night, surveillance is assured by infrared cameras mounted at the skating rink ensure its safety and security.

Also in the “Tractoru” park’s proximity is the no. 35 Kindergarten, which was also renovated together with the park.

So the “Tractoru” park has seen major improvements in recent years, but regarding the subject of this project, its drinking fountains are in worse condition.

The drinking water fountains’ locations are marked with the water drop symbols on the map.

The drinking water fountains of “Tractoru” park are the best of the documented fountains but still categorized in a deplorable state. They are mostly made of stone, but the main cup is stained and dirty, and the nozzles are rusted and unsanitary. They lack a lip guard so people will touch the sprinkle nozzle with their lips which can lead to germ spread and contamination. Also they are not accessible to disabled people and children. They also do not offer any way for pets to drink the water, although this is not relevant as pets are not allowed in the park.

The drinking water fountains’ locations are marked with the water drop symbols on the map.

Brașov railway station is the main station in Brașov, Romania. The building on the current location was opened to traffic in 1962. The station's bell chimes preceding the announcements represent a few notes of Ciprian Porumbescu's operetta Crai Nou.

The Drinking Fountains are in the most deplorable state documented. They are practically ashtrays and trash bins, due to the fact that they are not functional for many years. They are a waste of space, and a horrible sight and ruin the proximity’s aspect. As a design point of view, they’re made of metal which has rusted over the years; they lack a lip guard so people will touch the sprinkle nozzle with their lips which can lead to germ spread and contamination. Also they are not accessible to disabled people and children.

The drinking water fountains’ locations are marked with the water drop symbols on the map.

Central Park "Nicolae Titulescu" Brasov is located between Avenue “Eroilor” and “Nicolae Iorga” str., Near the County Library "George Baritiu", surrounded by the Hotel Aro Palace, Building T of Transylvania University, Capitol Hotel, Brasov City Hall, “Sfânta Treime” Church and “Casa Armatei”.

Central Park "Nicolae Titulescu", the largest park in the city, is equipped with a playground for children, with a sandbox, slides, swings etc. The park also has a fountain, new street furniture and a specially designed space for chess players and statues of Nicolae Titulescu, Cincinat Pavelescu and St. O Iosif. Almost every weekend, central park holds product presentations by traditional fairs, antiques and art. In the fair, there are antique collectors and dealers, antique dealers, blacksmith, artists.

The Central Park "Nicolae Titulescu" Brasov holds five drinking water fountains spread around its area. Their condition isn’t very good, they’re old, slightly rusted and some of them are malfuntioning. The main cup is stained and dirty, and the nozzles are rusted and unsanitary. They lack a lip guard so people will touch the sprinkle nozzle with their lips which can lead to germ spread and contamination. Also they are not accessible to disabled people and children. They also do not offer any way for pets to drink the water, although this is not relevant as pets are not allowed in the park.

3. The development of the new product

3.1. Basic Idea

Sources of water are inherently special. Especially in a city, sealed in concrete, water connects us with nature, engages our senses, and physically connects us with place. Free water sources in public spaces, historically provided by philanthropists or cities themselves, were one of the major progressive steps forward for civilization.

Today, with a new set of health challenges, drinking fountains are still a crucial element of any healthy space. Water is the healthiest substance people can put into their bodies; free, clean drinking water provided in public places. Drinking fountains (also known, in regional variations, as water fountains or bubblers) are a key indicator of the relationship between people and place.

Taking into consideration the importance of small urban elements that can have an outsized impact, we can conclude that they enhance people’s lives or modify users’ behavior in surprising ways. Considering these elements during design processes can considerably enrich a project and can have far-reaching positive consequences.

3.2. Semiotic study of applied symbols

Semiotics (also called semiotic studies) is the study of meaning-making, the study of sign processes and meaningful communication. This includes the study of signs and sign processes, indication, designation, likeness, analogy, metaphor, symbolism, signification, and communication. The term derives from the Greek σημειωτικός sēmeiōtikos, "observant of signs", (from σημεῖον sēmeion, "a sign, a mark")

Semiotics is closely related to the field of linguistics, which, for its part, studies the structure and meaning of language more specifically. The Semiotic Tradition explores the study of signs and symbols as a significant part of communications. As different from linguistics, however, semiotics also studies non-linguistic sign systems. Semiotics often is divided into three branches:

Semantics: relation between signs and the things to which they refer; their signified meaning

Syntactics: relations among or between signs in formal structures

Pragmatics: relation between signs and sign-using agents or interpreters

Semiotics frequently is seen as having important anthropological dimensions. Some semioticians focus on the logical dimensions of the science, however. They examine areas belonging also to the life sciences – such as how organisms make predictions about, and adapt to, their semiotic niche in the world.

Syntactics is the branch of semiotics that deals with the formal properties of signs and symbols. More precisely, syntactics deals with the "rules that govern how words are combined to form phrases and sentences".

3.2.1. Water Semiotics

The symbolism of water has a universal undertone of purity and fertility. Symbolically, it is often viewed as the source of life itself as we see evidence in countless creation myths in which life emerges from primordial waters.

Interestingly, we are all made of water, and so we can liken many of these myths and allegories to our own existence (the macrocosm mirroring the microcosm and vice versa). Further, we can incorporate symbolism of circulation, life, cohesion and birth by associating the creative waters of the earth with the fluids found in our own body (i.e., blood).

In Taoist tradition, water is considered an aspect of wisdom. The concept here is that water takes on the form in which it is held and moves in the path of least resistance. Here the symbolic meaning of water speaks of a higher wisdom we may all aspire to mimic.

The ever-observant ancient Greeks understood the power of transition water holds. From liquid, to solid, to vapor – water is the epitome symbol for metamorphosis and philosophical recycling.

Among the first peoples of North America, water was considered a valuable commodity (particularly in the more arid plains and western regions) and the Native Americans considered water to be a symbol of life (further solidifying the symbol affixed in many creation myths).

So it is also with the ancient Egyptians as we learn their beloved (and heavily relied upon) Nile river is akin to the birth canal of their existence.

A quick list of symbolic meanings for water includes:

Life

Motion

Renewal

Blessing

Intuition

Reflection

Subconscious

Fertilization

Purification

Transformation

3.2.2. Tree of Life Semiotics

The concept of a tree of life has been used in biology, religion, philosophy, and mythology. A tree of life is a common motif in various world theologies, mythologies, and philosophies. It alludes to the interconnection of all life on our planet and serves as a metaphor for common descent in the evolutionary sense. The term tree of life may also be used as a synonym for sacred tree.

The Mayan believed heaven to be a wonderful, magical place on Earth hidden by a mystical mountain.  They called this place Tamoanchan.  Heaven, Earth, and Underworld (Xibalba) were connected by the ‘world tree’.  The world tree grew at the locus of creation, all things flowing out from that spot into four directions.  These were: East associated with red, North represented by white, West that is black and South that is yellow.  The Mayan tree of life is a cross with its centre being the point of ‘absolute beginning’, the source of all creation and its branches passing through each of the three layers of existence – underworld, earth, and the sky.

Assyrians substituted the tree for the caduceus with coiled snakes circling around the wood of the wand.  Here we see a snake symbolising an underworld consciousness, passing through earth, climbing a stick, transcends to a winged reality, a heavenly creature.  Wings on a wand became a symbol of transformation and transcendence.

In modern representations, a Tree of Life in various religious interpretations, within myths, and as a mystical concept represents the interconnectedness of all life on our beautiful planet. The Tree of Life connects all forms of creation. The Tree of Life is considered to be the symbol of 'Creator'.

3.2.3. Water Molecule Association

Water is one of our most plentiful chemicals. Its chemical formula, H2O, is probably the most well-known of all chemical formulas. The formula H2O tells us that one molecule of water is comprised of two atoms of hydrogen and one atom of oxygen bonded together. The bonds which hold the hydrogen and oxygen together are called covalent bonds – they are very strong. Water is the most abundant molecule on Earth. Approximately 70% of the Earth's surface is water. Water is also the only substance on Earth which naturally occurs in a solid, liquid and gas form.

The nature of liquid water and how the H2O molecules within it are organized and interact are questions that have attracted the interest of chemists for many years. There is probably no liquid that has received more intensive study, and there is now a huge literature on this subject.

3.2.4. Semiotics Study Results

With the previous three subchapters taken into consideration, we have made a clear analysis of what water means in the past and present cultures. The tree of life is a true symbol of existence, and combined with water, we can probably assume it’s the essence of life itself.

Thus, the study of semiotics can give us clear hints of what our product should look like in shape, color and symbolism.

3.3. Hand Sketches

Hand sketches of drawn mockups are usually low-fidelity prototypes, such as paper illustrations, screenshots, or simple configurations of screens with limited interaction.

Below is a preliminary version of the design of the drinking fountain. It is a basic drawing to show how the product should roughly look and present its basic components. As drawn below, the drinking fountain resembles three water (H2O) molecules.

3.4. Design and functionality

In terms of design, after a thorough analysis of the semiotics, the overall aspect of the product will be molecules of water in a tree shaped look. In order to do this, we will require spheres to resemble the atoms. The spheres are in two different sizes, the atoms resembling hydrogen will be smaller and the spheres representing the oxygen will be larger. The difference between the two will be slightly noticeable, but existent, to create a vivid contrast. The product will not be chemically accurate, but will be easy to understand and create an instant link to molecules in mind.

The product will be composed of nine spheres, three of them will represent the oxygen atoms and the other six will represent the hydrogen atoms. They will be linked with pipes to each other at different irregular angles, to create an abstract minimalist design.

We will include two drinking nozzles at different heights to accommodate different categories of users. One of them will be placed higher for regular adults and the other one will be at a lower height to serve children and disabled people.

3.5. Chromatics

Chromatics, a word ultimately derived from the Greek noun χρῶμα (khrṓma), which means "complexion" or "color", and then from the Greek adjective χρωματικός (khrōmatikós; "colored"), is an important aspect of product design.

The meaning of colors can vary depending on culture and circumstances. Each color has many aspects to it but you can easily learn the language of color by understanding a few simple concepts which I will teach you here.

Color is a form of non-verbal communication. It is not a static energy and its meaning can change from one day to the next with any individual – it all depends on what energy they are expressing at that point in time.

For example, a person may choose to wear red on a particular day and this may indicate that this is their favorite (personality) color, or they are ready to take action, or they may be passionate about what they are going to be doing that day, or again it may mean that they are feeling angry that day, on either a conscious or subconscious level.

Color can influence our emotions, our actions and how we respond to various people, things and ideas. Much has been studied and written about color and its impact on our daily lives. Many people believe that colors are powers, and that colored stones are especially powerful. Here are some of the meanings of colors and the energies contained in their corresponding stones.

To express the correct feelings towards passing people who stop by the drinking fountain, here are my main choices of combinations for the drinking fountain.

With the above study of the semiotics of colors, I choose turquoise and indigo as my final color variant.

Below is a preview of the final chromatic choice presented in a 3D render.

4. Constructive design

Constructive Design Research allows for designers to produce knowledge based on the skills and capacities of the design field itself. However, most of the research fails to bridge the gap between the general notions of constructive design research and the detailed research activities of the field. As a step towards to a more nuanced and solid perspective on how to keep constructive design research on track, this chapter offers a model for understanding the role of hypothesis in constructive design research. The model allows for understanding the hypothesis’s relation to research motivation, questions, experiments, evaluation and knowledge production. The intention of the model is to have it serve as a tool in the research process aiding the researcher to understand at what “level” discussions and claims are brought forward, and what consequences these might have for the research work at hand. Thus, the chapter claims the central position of the hypothesis as a key-governing element even in artistic led research processes.

In constructive design, we must take into account many aspects of the project such as material choice and analysis, technological processes, technical calculus and component checking, ergonomic rules, eco-design aspects (materials, processes, usage, transport, post-usage and recycling), graphical 3D representations etc.

4.1. Components checklist

As a first step of constructive design, we need to make a basic checklist of components that will be used in the final assembly of the product. These are just the basic components, without the drinking nozzles, the stand and other pieces. The list is shown in the table below:

4.2. Materials

Material is a broad term for the (chemical) substance, or a mixture of substances that constitute an element. There are concerns to think about when choosing materials (in order of importance) are:

Meeting the performance requirements

Easy to process

Ecological concern

Aesthetics properties.

Most products need to satisfy some performance targets, which we determine by considering the design specification (for example: they must be cheap, or stiff, or strong, or light, or perhaps all of these criteria). Where selection charts are really useful is in showing the trade-off between 2 properties, because the charts plot combinations of properties.

Material density, more often referred to simply as density, is a quantitative expression of the amount of mass contained per unit volume. The standard unit is the kilogram per meter cubed.

Young's modulus, also known as the tensile modulus or elastic modulus, is a mechanical property of linear elastic solid materials. It measures the force (per unit area) that is needed to stretch (or compress) a material sample.

A stiff material needs more force to deform compared to a soft material. Therefore, the Young's modulus is a measure of the stiffness of a solid material.

With the criteria mentioned before, we need to choose the proper materials for the product’s component. Following is a list of these materials per item.

ABS Plastics

Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) (chemical formula (C8H8)x· (C4H6)y·(C3H3N)z) is a common thermoplastic polymer. Its glass transition temperature is approximately 105 °C (221 °F).[2] ABS is amorphous and therefore has no true melting point.

ABS plastic is heat-resistant, lightweight and impact-resistant. For applications requiring extra toughness, this plastic is often shot through with microscopic glass fibers. This adds significant strength to the material.

Another factor that makes ABS popular with toy manufacturers is its natural white color, which is an excellent backdrop for bright dyes. The dyes are mixed with the resin pellets before melting, creating an evenly-colored, streak-free plastic. Colored ABS plastic does not fade.

ABS plastic also has applications outside of the toy industry. It is a favorite material for children's clarinets and recorders, protective helmets and canoes. Its considerable shock-absorbent properties also make ABS plastic ideal for luggage, laptop cases and similar protective items.

AISI Type 316 Stainless Steel, annealed sheet

Subcategory: Ferrous Metal; Metal; Stainless Steel; T 300 Series Stainless Steel

Key Words: UNS S31600, SS316, 316SS, AISI 316, DIN 1.4401, DIN 1.4408, DIN X5CrNiMo17122, TGL 39672 X5CrNiMo1911, TGL 7143X5CrNiMo1811, ISO 2604-1 F62, ISO 2604-2 TS60, ISO 2604-2 TS61, ISO 2604-4 P60, ISO 2604-4 P61, ISO 4954 X5CrNiMo17122E, ISO 683/13 20, ISO 683/13 20a, ISO 6931 X5CrNiMo17122, JIS SUS 316

Material Notes:
Molybdenum content increases resistance to marine environments. High creep strength at elevated temperatures and good heat resistance. Biocompatible. Fabrication characteristics similar to Types 302 and 304.

Applications: food and pharmaceutical processing equipment, marine exterior trim, surgical implants, and industrial equipment that handles the corrosive process chemicals used to produce inks, rayons, photographic chemicals, paper, textiles, bleaches, and rubber.

Corrosion Resistance: better corrosion resistance than 302 and 304; resists sodium and calcium brines; hypochlorite solutions, phosphoric acid; and the sulfite liquors and sulfurous acids used in the paper pulp industry.

Acrylic Plastic. Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA).

Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) is the technical term for Acrylic plastic. Acrylic is a transparent thermoplastic with outstanding strength, stiffness, and optical clarity. Acrylic sheet is easy to fabricate, bonds well with adhesives and solvents, and is easy to thermoform.

The properties of this great product are:

Resistant to inorganic acids

Extremely rigid

7,000 psi is the tensile strength

Transparent (if it is made “clear”) with good Ultra Violet Resistence

Suitable to use in temperatures up to 70 degrees Celsius

Max Temp is 90 degrees Celsius (short periods only, not continuous)

100 degree Celsius is the melting point

High Heat Resistance

R120 (Hardness)

Solvent Bond-able

High Impact Resistance

4.3. Detailing and assembling

The pipes linking the spheres constitute of two layers. One pipe in the interior that will drive the water up to the drinking nozzle, and another pipe of larger diameter that includes the water driving pipe inside of its circumference and serves as drainage for the waste water.

Water is an interesting fluid to play with. Being a fluid, it takes the shape of its container. Taking advantage of this, we can create a pleasant sight for the passing people. The outer pipe (B) is transparent so that the viewer can see the water draining, thus creating an interesting effect. The water flow can be observed all the way from the drinking nozzle of the smaller sphere to the ground.

Also, for the water to reflect its environment’s color, we need the inner pipes (A) to be reflective. Thus, we can use glossy chromium-like pipes for the water. These pipes are made of stainless steel and do not offer any visibility for the water going upwards to the nozzle, but reflects the outer water that is being drained, visible through the clear pipes (B).

Linking the pipes together is a tricky task as we have a “pipe inside”. We need to keep this linkage through the whole structure of the product in order to ensure the desired water effect and have good continuity. Because of the skewed angles present in the design, we cannot make use of existing components on the market, and we will have to create custom components.

To solve this issue, we will design connection spheres, which are basically hollow spheres with holes concentric to the holes on the cosmetic “atom” spheres. These connectors will be made of steel to ensure durability and resistance to applied forces and its own weight.

In the image to the left, we can see a render of the two connectors, joined one inside each other. The interior connector is for the steel pipes that take the water to the nozzle, and the exterior sphere is for the clear pipes that drain the water.

As mentioned before, both components are made of steel (the outer sphere is transparent for previewing purposes).

The steel pipes (A) go into hole (A), and the clear pipes (B) go into hole (B).

Below you can see a preview of the whole assembly.

Connecting the small spheres to the pipes is also a slight challenge as we need to tightly insert them into the spheres, while allowing the water to flow backwards to the sewage. For this, we need to attach a cap to the end of the pipes to seal them and then find a way to place the spheres into them.

To achieve this, I created a small cap that goes on the end of the clear acrylic pipe. It connects tightly with the help of the threaded cap finish. The clear acrylic pipe is also threaded at the end.

The next issue with the previous design of the cap screwed into the acrylic pipes is we need to find a way to attach it to the sphere. For this, the sphere will have a small tube on the opposite side of the acrylic pipe hole built into it to support this fitting. It will not be threaded, but will tolerate a tight insert and ensure a good hold.

4.4. Dimensioning

Dimensioning is the process of measuring the cubic space that a package or object occupies. It is the method of calculating dimensional weight for the storage, handling, transporting and invoicing of goods. Vehicles and storage units have both volume and weight capacity limits and can easily become full in terms of volume before they reach their capacity in weight. By dimensioning objects, parcels and pallets, shipping companies and warehouses can make optimal use of space and charge for services accordingly.

Geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T) is a system for defining and communicating engineering tolerances. It uses a symbolic language on engineering drawings and computer-generated three-dimensional solid models that explicitly describes nominal geometry and its allowable variation. It tells the manufacturing staff and machines what degree of accuracy and precision is needed on each controlled feature of the part. GD&T is used to define the nominal (theoretically perfect) geometry of parts and assemblies, to define the allowable variation in form and possible size of individual features, and to define the allowable variation between features.

Dimensioning specifications define the nominal, as-modeled or as-intended geometry. One example is a basic dimension.

Tolerancing specifications define the allowable variation for the form and possibly the size of individual features, and the allowable variation in orientation and location between features. Two examples are linear dimensions and feature control frames using a datum reference (both shown above).

Below, we can see some of the general dimensioning of the main components. For a detailed perspective of dimensions, please consult the drawings present in the appendix at the end of this project.

AISI 316 Stainless Steel Pipe

Dimensions and weights of seamless tubes according to standard ANSI/ASME B36.10M

4.5. Human factors and ergonomics

Human factors and ergonomics (HF&E), also known as comfort design, functional design, and user-friendly systems, is the practice of designing products, systems or processes to take proper account of the interaction between them and the people who use them.

The field has seen contributions from numerous disciplines, such as psychology, engineering, biomechanics, industrial design, physiology and anthropometry. In essence, it is the study of designing equipment and devices that fit the human body and its cognitive abilities. The two terms "human factors" and "ergonomics" are essentially synonymous.

Anthropometry is the branch of ergonomics that deals with body shape and size. People come in all shapes and sizes so you need to take these physical characteristics into account whenever you design anything that someone will use, from something as simple as a pencil to something as complex as a car.

When studying anthropometry, we need to take into consideration some design rules:

Decide who you are designing for

Anthropometry tables give measurements of different body parts for men and women, and split into different nationalities, and age groups, from babies to the elderly. So first of all you need to know exactly who you are designing for. The group of people you are designing for is called the user population.

If you were designing an office chair, you would need to consider dimensions for adults of working age and not those for children or the elderly. If you were designing a product for the home, such as a kettle, your user group would include everyone except young children (hopefully!).

Decide which body measurements are relevant

You need to know which parts of the body are relevant to your design. For example, if you were designing a mobile phone, you would need to consider the width and length of the hand, the size of the fingers, as well as grip diameter. You wouldn't be too interested in the height or weight of the user (although the weight of the phone might be important!)

Decide whether you are designing for the 'average' or extremes

The variation in the size and shape of people also tells us that if you design to suit yourself, it will only be suitable for people who are the same size and shape as you, and you might 'design out' everyone else! Below is an example of measurements for British people and are in millimeters.

Percentiles

Percentiles are shown in anthropometry tables and they tell you whether the measurement given in the tables relates to the 'average' person, or someone who is above or below average in a certain dimension.

If you look at the heights of a group of adults, you'll probably notice that most of them look about the same height. A few may be noticeably taller and a few may be noticeably shorter. This 'same height' will be near the average (called the 'mean' in statistics) and is shown in anthropometry tables as the fiftieth percentile, often written as '50th %ile'. This means that it is the most likely height in a group of people. If we plotted a graph of the heights (or most other dimensions) of our group of people, it would look similar to this:

Usually, you will find that if you pick the right percentile, 95% of people will be able to use your design. For instance, if you were choosing a door height, you would choose the dimension of people's height (often called 'stature' in anthropometry tables) and pick the 95th percentile value – in other words, you would design for the taller people. You wouldn't need to worry about the average height people or the 5th percentile ones – they would be able to fit through the door anyway.

With the anthropometric and ergonomic studies done throughout the project we can design the drinking fountain to meet the needs of as many people as possible, be it adults, children or disabled people.

The overall height of the fountain is of 2.335m (2335mm). The drinking fountain has two drinking nozzles that accommodate people of different ages and heights. The higher drinking nozzle is located at a height of 1.4m (1400mm) and serves for adults, and the other drinking nozzle is located at a lower height of 0.76m (760mm) to be used by children and disabled people.

Support for disabled people is mandatory. Anthropometrics for an adult male who uses a wheelchair provided the technical basis for many of the requirements. Adult dimensions do not always work for children. Unique criteria for children have been provided for the listed elements. Designing for children is a choice, but once that choice has been made, the requirements for the element must be followed.

4.6. Eco-Design

Eco-design is an approach to designing product with special consideration for the environmental impacts of the product during its whole lifecycle. In a life cycle assessment, the life cycle of a product is usually divided into procurement, manufacture, use, and disposal.

Eco-design is a growing responsibility and understanding of our ecological footprint on the planet. Green awareness, overpopulation, industrialization and an increased environmental population have led to the questioning of consumer values. It is imperative to search for new building solutions that are environmentally friendly and lead to a reduction in the consumption of materials and energy.

Below is a table of the main components, their weight, count and environmental impact:

4.7. 3D Renders

Below are some 3D renders with the drinking fountain placed in a sample environment.

5. Prototype Development

The prototype is created to give a good feel of the drinking fountain’s general appearance and looks, but also to prove its functionality by actually pumping water through its pipes and to the nozzles.

Prototype Scale: 1:3 Prototype Height: 820mm

List of necessary materials and components:

The first step to creating the prototype model is to create hand sketches of various views of the drinking fountain. Because the angles are irregular, it was also helpful to create a small model made of toothpicks to have a 3D view of the spheres’ angles.

The toothpicks were glued with hot glue (using a glue gun) with a good estimation from the 3D models on the computer. This is done “by eye” as it wasn’t possible to use precise grading due to the skewing of each axis.

Then I start cutting the copper pipe at different lengths to accommodate the drinking fountain’s height. Bending the pipe was also necessary to achieve the desired shape. The first pipe was bended and then another hole was drilled into it to insert another pipe. The pipe was welded using tin.

After the main skeleton of copper pipes is built, it is spray painted with a chrome-like spray.

The toilet floats are carefully inserted through the pipes. The hose is also placed over the copper pipes

After mounting the last cosmetic spheres, it was time to deal with the drinking nozzles.

For the drinking nozzles, I used gas nozzles for ovens, but enlarged the holes using a drill.

After the final mountings, I carefully spray painted the spheres in the desired colors, and applied the final waterproof glue around the holes of the sphere.

A small electric powered water pump is inserted into the lower copper pipe and water is being pumped up to the nozzles. The water is then driven down by the transparent hoses, recirculating it.

6. Conclusions.

Today, with a new set of health challenges, drinking fountains are still a crucial element of any healthy space. Water is the healthiest substance people can put into their bodies; free, clean drinking water provided in public places provides an alternative to sugary sodas. They also reduce dependence on the environmentally degrading plastic bottles for water and sodas (millions of which are thrown away every year), and save people money.

Sources of water are inherently valuable. Especially in a city, sealed in concrete, water connects us with nature, engages our senses, and physically connects us with place. Free water sources in public spaces, historically provided by philanthropists or cities themselves, were one of the major progressive steps forward for civilization.

7. Bibliography

Beautification of Your Community Matters

http://www.useful-community-development.org/beautification.html

The Importance of Drinking Fountains | IDEAS

http://www.ideas.swagroup.com/the-importance-of-drinking-fountains/

Fountain Design Concepts and Basic Design Rules

http://royalfountains.com/fountain-design/fountain-design-rules.htm

Drinking water fountains

http://www.hevacheritage.org/items_of_interest/public_health/ drinking_fountains.htm

The importance of drinking fountains

http://www.supporttheroyalparks.org/new_drinking_fountain/the_importance_of_drinking_fountains

London's First Drinking Fountain

http://www.historic-uk.com/HistoryMagazine/DestinationsUK/Londons-First-Drinking-Fountain/

Guidance on the Safe and Hygienic Use of Drinking Water Coolers and Fountains – sc-sep1036030a.pdf

http://www.devon.gov.uk/sc-sep1036030a.pdf

Where Have All the (Public Water) Fountains Gone?

http://www.waterandhealth.org/public-water-fountains-gone/

Why Choose a Drinking Water Fountain

https://www.watercoolersdirect.com/why-choose-a-drinking-water-fountain

Drinking Fountains and Their Advantages

Drinking Fountains and Their Advantages

Drinking fountain – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drinking_fountain

Drinking Water Fountain

http://www.drinking-water-fountain.com/drinking-fountains.htm

Semiotics for Beginners by Daniel Chandler

http://visual-memory.co.uk/daniel/Documents/S4B/

Semiotics – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Semiotics

Symbolism of Water

Symbolism of Water

Symbols and Signs: Tree of Life and its Meaning

http://artof4elements.com/entry/43/tree-of-life

H2O – The Mystery, Art, and Science of Water: The Chemistry of Water: Structure

http://witcombe.sbc.edu/water/chemistrystructure.html

Meaning of Colors in Color Psychology

http://www.empower-yourself-with-color-psychology.com/meaning-of-colors.html

The Role of Hypothesis in Constructive Design Research

http://aarch.dk/publications/9557cf57-d3bc-44b5-ae08-ba7daae30704/

Choosing between different materials

http://www-materials.eng.cam.ac.uk/mpsite/tutorial/non_IE/selchart.html

Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acrylonitrile_butadiene_styrene

ABS Material Data Sheet

Microsoft Word – mso26B – ABS_Data_sheet.pdf

ASM Material Data Sheet

http://asm.matweb.com/search/SpecificMaterial.asp?bassnum=MQ316A

Acrylic Plastic Properties

http://acrylicplastic.net/acrylic-plastic-properties/

Acrylic Data Sheet

http://www.curbellplastics.com/technical-resources/pdf/acrylic-pop-datasheet-curbell.pdf

Dimensioning – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dimensioning

Geometric dimensioning and tolerancing – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geometric_dimensioning_and_tolerancing

Human factors and ergonomics – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_factors_and_ergonomics

ergonomics4schools – anthropometry

http://www.ergonomics4schools.com/lzone/anthropometry.htm

Application and Administration

http://publicecodes.cyberregs.com/icc/ansi/2003cc/a117p1/icc_ansi_2003cc_a117p1_1_sec002.htm

Ecodesign – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ecodesign

8. Appendix

Appendix