Water connections in Architecture

Water has always been essential to the development of communities and the natural world, dating back to the earliest days of animal and plant life. Water was essential to human survival at the beginning of time, but as communities grew, so did its use and significance. Since water is essential to life, it is also considered the equivalent of thermal comfort in sustainable architecture. In hot and dry climates, water is used as a cooling agent to control the interior microclimate of the building, which lessens the negative effects of solar radiation and adds beauty to the area, both of which relieve stress. Water can occasionally take centre stage as a structural component. The true beauty of water, as well as its physical attributes, can be expressed through architecture. People of all times and places can view architecture. (Adkuloo, 2016)

Importance of Water in Human Civilization 

Water has always been a major consideration when deciding where to settle. Some choose to live close to a body of water in order to simplify their lives. Because of its sacredness, a body of water is sometimes chosen as the location for the construction of a religious building, such as a temple, mosque, or church. The water can also be used as a sacred component for the great god, creating an entire settlement around it. The Kashi Vishwanath Temple and the Ganga River made it possible for Varanasi to become the oldest continuously inhabited city in the world. 

Water has been important since the pre-industrial era, when clever ideas like phyto-purification, passive cooling, and permeable paving were used. Water can be used to create thermal comfort, dissolve the distinction between indoor and outdoor spaces, and become an aesthetically pleasing, environmentally friendly, and useful design element. In the presence of architecture, water both shapes and is shaped by building forms.

Introduction to Role of Water in Passive Cooling of Buildings (Kamal, 2012)

The cooling loads that air conditioning requires in buildings have led to an increase in developing countries’ summer energy needs over the last few decades. Future increases in these loads are anticipated as a result of rising living standards and population growth. Around 40% of all energy produced is used by buildings, according to WorldWatch Institute data. The energy required for building and maintenance accounts for 33% of annual carbon dioxide emissions, which increases the amount of this greenhouse gas and causes climate change. A third of India’s energy use is accounted for by the construction industry. 

Before the invention of mechanical refrigeration, there were a number of passive cooling techniques. For instance, damp cloths were used to block drafts caused by the connective stack effect in buildings, and courtyard water features could also be used to reduce the temperature of air entering a building.

Water as means of Passive Cooling in Buildings 

Wind towers  (Kamal, 2012)

The purpose of a water sump or body under a wind tower’s plinth level is to collect moisture and cool the air inside. Room inlets and outlets generate cool air movement. To keep the air cool after it enters the tower, evaporative cooling—which uses water evaporation to cool the air—uses water spray jets. The stale air, or the air inside the tower, gets lighter as the moisture in it evaporates and more moisture is absorbed by the air entering the bottom vent of the tower. This air is then expelled through the top vent.

Roof Sprinkling System (Alibaba, Inusa, 2017)

Buildings receive their summer and winter temperatures through their roofs, which are the most exposed parts of the structure. With this system, spray heads spray water mist onto the roof, causing a layer of mist to evaporate and coat the roof. Some amount of heat is dissipated as water evaporates.   

Roof Pond  (Alibaba, Inusa, 2017)

Shaded water ponds are built over the roof to prevent overheating. Conduction lowers the building’s water temperature. Reduced indoor air temperature and radiant temperature are achieved by raising the humidity level. Up to 20°C of temperature reduction is possible with roof ponds. Nocturnal cooling keeps the pond open at night and helps it stay cool. (During nocturnal cooling, the building radiates heat into the sky; the sky acts as a heat sink because it is colder than the earth and the building acts as the cooled body.) This system can be used in the winter by switching up the roles of the building and the sky, allowing the shaded device to be moved from the water pond in the morning and the pond to be shaded at night to prevent heat loss.

Historical Instances of Passive Cooling using Water

Agra Fort and Fatehpur Sikri, Agra (Hattangadi, 2021)

Situated on the banks of the Yamuna River, Agra Fort served as both the royal family’s home and the Mughals’ combat base. The fort is now recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Encircled by a multipurpose moat on three sides, it served as both the first line of defence and a wastewater treatment plant during the Mughal era. 

The Yamuna River served as the fort’s water supply, and it entered its water channels via the Persian Wheel or rahant system. The water channels consist of water tanks, nalis, baoli, and moats. These water channels were used to maintain geometric gardens with fountains, which served as both a visual haven and a means of evapotranspiration—the process of evaporating moisture from water bodies to cool the surrounding area.

Water, for example, was pumped into the gap or crevice between the two walls of the fort complex to cool it down. This architectural wonder of water flow did not cause any dampness or corrosion on the walls. Similar to this, the fort complex’s passive cooling was facilitated by water inlets. The courtyard’s vegetation and water channels assisted in further controlling the buildings’ internal temperature. 

Amber Fort (Joshi, 2018)

The Amber Fort is situated in the middle of a lake in Jaipur, Rajasthan, so that evaporative cooling can control the fort’s temperature. Evaporative cooling is a technique used in hot, dry climates where water molecules evaporate to regulate temperatures above normal.

Stepwells (Joshi, 2018)

Stepwells were historically built in India to control the temperature during the sweltering summer and the chilly winter. A deep-seated pond that served as a water source for the nearby residents was excavated in order to build stepwells. These were called “stepwells” because they needed to be accessed via a set of steps. Because of its thermal mass, the surrounding stepped walls trap the evaporating water, which acts as a heat sink in stepwells and cools the air.

Red Fort Delhi (Joshi, 2018)

Fountains were installed in Red Fort to enhance evaporation, a process that increases humidity by mixing water droplets with the air. Water tanks were built with the purpose of maintaining water pressure and forcing water to ooze out of the fountainhead. By allowing water to evaporate, this type of water can increase a building’s thermal comfort and lessen the need for air conditioning.

Sacredness of Water in Religious Architecture 

Introduction (Adebayo et al., 2023)

Every person is a drop of the ocean, and when we come together, we form the ocean, symbolising the significance of water in spirituality, place-making, and culture. Being one of the five universal elements that make up the universe—earth, water, air, fire, and space—water is seen as sacred and holds great cultural significance. The Bible states that each of these elements, in addition to their distinct roles, is accountable for the creation of the cosmos.

Now let us look at how architects have interpreted water in the context of creating spiritual spaces. Water is nature’s pure integrity for living, according to architect Frank Lloyd Wright. The five elements of the universe, according to Japanese architect Hiroshi Sambuichi, are the source of inspiration for his designs. The imago mundi, a sacred three-dimensional space that is displayed for the world to see, is created when these components are combined with the universe’s axes. The Taj Mahal in Agra, India, is one example of this, where water symbolises the union of the universe’s axes. The horizontal axis of the building is symbolised by the water pool in front of the main facade, which guides visitors towards it. The facade’s reflection in the water, which shows the monument, accentuates the vertical axis. Water can therefore be seen as a serene mirror pool that forms vertical and horizontal axes.

Christianity  (Adebayo et al.,, 2023)

According to Christian belief, bathing in water purifies a person from sin; this water must then be applied to the skin and clothing. Spiritual as well as physical cleansing occur simultaneously. For Christians, life-giving water is a metaphor for Jesus. Water gains cosmic significance through Jesus, transcending its traditional uses for purification and cross-cultural exchange. A prime example of this is the Loretto Christian Life Centre Chapel in Niagara Falls, Canada. Situated directly across from Niagara Falls, the chapel is known as “living water.”  

Islam  (Adebayo et al.,, 2023)

Given that Islam originated in a desert, gardens with luxuriant greenery and water serve as a metaphor for the importance of water in contrast to the harsh desert environment. Similar to Christianity, Islam observes the custom of cleansing oneself with water before praying; this is known as wudu in Arabic, and it involves cleansing one’s body and mind as well as entering a contemplative state. 

Wudu was offered in traditional mosques at a fountain that was intended to be either partially or fully outside. These fountains ranged in style from straightforward spouts along the mosques’ outer walls to elaborately carved fountains in the courtyards furnished with stools. The area used for wudu was frequently encircled with ornaments, writing, or greenery to emphasise the transient aspect of wudu, which is connected to prayer and visions of paradise. 

One of the earliest mosques to have a wudu area was the Umayyad Great Mosque in Aleppo, built in 715 CE. It serves as an example of this. The mosque’s exterior walls feature mosaics with a botanical theme surrounding the wudu fountain, which is situated in the centre of the courtyard and resembles a waterhole at an oasis.

Buddhism (Dokras, 2017)

Water is a symbol of life, the purest food, and the thing that unites all people in Buddhism. Water serves as a reminder to purify our thoughts and achieve a state of purity because it symbolises purity, clarity, and tranquillity. Water is also associated with with wisdom, stamina and endurance

Hinduism (Dokras, 2017)

Hinduism reveres water because of its cleansing and purifying properties. In Hindu culture, water is also used to perform daily religious rituals or social ceremonies and is the main tool for purifying the body and soul. Water is necessary as a cleaning agent for the vessels used in poojas (rituals) and abhishekams (the bathing of deities). As one of the primary forces of mother nature and a mother to all of humanity, water is also revered in Hinduism. Temples are always designed in the proximity of a water body, or if there is no water body, a water tank or stepwell is designed in the temple complex. 

There are several instances where the temple complex’s water feature turns into a bustling meeting place and the main hub for activity creation. The Ganga River Ghats in Varanasi, where the Holy Ganga Aarti is performed, are one example of this. The river’s ghats were designed as a public space because it is thought that Goddess Ganga has to be worshipped before Lord Shiva in addition to being appreciated and enjoyed by the general public. There is a purpose behind the design of every ghat in Varanasi. Many people all across the world look forward to the Ganga Aarti at the Dashashwamedh Ghat, especially during MahaShivratri, when the city is decorated for the union of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathi. Here, worshipping the sacred river and offering gratitude to it for providing the most basic yet necessary source of life represents the sacredness of Hindu culture.

Water Architecture: Buildings in Water 

Introduction

29% of the Earth is made up of land, and 71% is made up of water. We know that land is limited and that overpopulation will leave future generations with less land, so we are projecting a future with limited resources and high population density. But given that water is a resource that can be easily accessed for building our homes and offices, perhaps we ought to investigate the possibilities of using it as a ground.  

Holistic Living in Water 

Houseboats in Kerala and Srinagar (ExploreBees, 2019; IES College of Architecture, 2015)

Kerala’s houseboats were built with cargo transportation in mind. Around 3000 BC, the first houseboat was constructed, not only to carry passengers but also to transport rice and spices. 

Because water connects all countries in the world, the purpose of these boats’ creation was to transport materials and build movable homes. 

The materials that were readily available locally, like bamboo, wood, coconut leaves or bark, arecanut stems, and many others, were used to build houseboats on the water. This allowed the boats to be lightweight and climate-adaptable at the same time. Evaporative cooling from the water kept the boats cooler in the summer as well. 

Unlike the houseboats in Kerala, which were moored on the shores of the Dal and Nagin lakes, the houseboats in Kashmir were immobile. In the past, the Dogra family, who are the royal descendants of Kashmir, forbade British officials from occupying the royal headquarters and from selling land to outsiders for their sanitoria and offices. Living in the boat houses built by the Mughals for their excursions was the only choice available to the British. 

The majority of Kashmiris lived on water rather than land because the region’s mountains formed the banks of freshwater sources and left no land for development.

Piilokoju Hut: Blending Architecture into Finland’s Wetlands (Barandy, 2023)

The famous Vanhankaupunginlahti Nature Reserve in Finland provides the backdrop for a floating bird-watching hut that Studio Puisto, the architects behind it, named Piilokoju. The floating architecture project is an illustration of that. When creating the hut for birdwatchers, the designers’ main goals were to: (1) use only one material; (2) preserve ecological balance and sustainability; and (3) integrate architecture into the landscape. Instead of highlighting nature’s beauty or drawing attention to it, the architects sought to comprehend it. 

A wooden raft with concrete pontoons underneath is used to build the structure, creating a floating platform. The architects constructed the building off-site, then moved it to the wetlands and positioned it there to preserve the delicate ecosystem. Piilokoju’s roof, floors, and walls are all made of larch that is grown in Finland. The weather-resistant qualities and graceful ageing of larch make it an ideal material for this project. A major objective of the entire nature preserve has been to guarantee everyone’s equal access to the natural world.

Jones Studio creates an educational facility that highlights the “preciousness” of Arizona’s water. (Dreith, 2023)

Architecture firm Jones Studio has designed an educational centre in Arizona with the aim of raising awareness about conserving water. One of the architects made the observation that while many are skilled at capturing the qualities of light, very few are able to engage with the sun and celebrate its preciousness. Here, the architecture serves as a reminder to people of how precious the sun is. People’s disconnection from the source of their water will be broken by having a clear view of the canal and an understanding of the entire water system.

The area’s water consumption is represented by a set of cylinders placed around the canal. By implementing waste and stormwater retention systems and eschewing the use of fountains and superfluous grass, the architecture itself seeks to demonstrate best practices in water conservation.  

This demonstrates how architecture can be site-specific and supports the narrative that the exhibits will attempt to tell in greater detail about the history of water in the area. Additionally, this is a chance to share stories and instruct people on water conservation. 

MAST develops adaptable flat-pack system for building floating homes (Frearson, 2022)

Using modular containers filled with floating elements akin to gabion cages used in construction, Danish architecture studio MAST created the project Land on Water, an approach to building floating structures that aims to be more sustainable and flexible than traditional methods. The reinforced plastic used in the construction of the modules allows for easy global transportation and assembly in a variety of configurations. 

Local suppliers provide the floating materials needed for the design, which include used plastic bottles and containers or repurposed buoys and floats from the fishing industry. Furthermore, adding or adjusting the floating material is a simple process in the event that the building’s weight or its balance changes. Biodiversity is another goal of Land on Water. It is anticipated that the floats’ niches will support the growth of seaweed and mollusks as well as serve as habitats for fish and crustaceans. Land on water allows for the development of biophilic and climate-resilient communities, making floating homes an appealing and adaptable choice for homeowners.  

References:

1. Adkuloo, K. (2016). Aqua Architecture, Masters. Heriot Watt University, Dubai. Retrieved From: https://issuu.com/kundanikaadkuloo/docs/aqua_architecture_-_4th_yr_dissertation_project_fi
2. Kamal, M. (2012). An Overview of Passive Cooling Techniques in Buildings: Design Concepts and Architectural Interventions. Acta Technica Napocensis: Civil Engineering & Architecture, Volume 55 (1), pp. 84-97. Available at: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/312432251_An_overview_of_passive_cooling_techniques_in_buildings_Design_concepts_and_architectural_interventions
3. Alibaba, H., and Inusa, M. (2017).  Application of Passive Cooling Techniques in Residential Buildings: A Case Study of Northern Nigeria. Int. Journal of Engineering Research and Application, Volume 7 (1), pp. 24-30. Available at: https://www.academia.edu/30800399/Application_of_Passive_Cooling_Techniques_in_Residential_Buildings_A_Case_Study_of_Northern_Nigeria
4. Hattangadi, P. (2021). Agra Fort: How the Mughals Kept It Cool with No AC. [online]. Retrieved from: http://greenubuntu.com/agra-fort-how-mughals-kept-it-cool-with-no-ac/
5. Joshi, D.K. (2018).  Passive cooling techniques in ancient Indian Buildings-A study.  Journals Pub, Volume 1 (2), pp. 11-20. Available at: https://architecture.journalspub.info/index.php?journal=ijah&page=article&op=view&path%5B%5D=421#:~:text=Shading%2C%20water%20features%2C%20courtyard%20planning,Ancient%20architecture%20of%20Mughal%20era.
6. Adebayo et al. (2023). Water and sacred architecture. New York: Routledge. Retrieved from:  https://dokumen.pub/qdownload/water-and-sacred-architecture-1nbsped-1032415908-9781032415901.html
7. Dokras, U. (2017). Water as a design element of Angkor. Stockholm: The Indo Swedish Author’s Collective. Retrieved from: https://www.academia.edu/88787214/BOOK_Water_as_a_Design_Element_of_Hindu_Temples_BOOK
8. Team ExploreBees. (2019). History of houseboats in Kerala. [online]. Retrieved from: https://www.explorebees.com/blog/History-of-houseboats-in-Kerala/bl88441
9. IES College of Architecture. (2015). Dhoongas- Kashmir. [online]. Retrieved From: https://www.slideshare.net/Thamanna19/dhoongas-kashmir
10. Barandy, K. (2023, November 8). Studio puisto designs floating ‘piilokoju’ hut forbirdwatchers in Finland. DesignBoom [online]. Retrieved from: https://www.designboom.com/architecture/studio-puisto-floating-birdwatching-hut-piilokoju-finland-11-09-2023/
11. Dreith, B (2023, November 21). Jones Studio designs an education centre to show the “preciousness” of water in Arizona. Dezeen [online]. Retrieved From: https://www.dezeen.com/2023/11/21/jones-studio-water-education-center-arizona/
12. Freason, A (2022, October 14). MAST develops an adaptable flat-pack system for building floating homes. Dezeen [online]. Retrieved From: https://www.dezeen.com/2022/10/14/land-on-water-floating-homes-mast/

Image References:

1. 1_Section showing detail of a wind tower _ Kamal, M.2012)
2. 2_ Roof Sprinkling System_ C.V., S 
3. 3_ Roof Pond Cooling System_ UEDC
4. 4_Fatehpur Sikri, Agra_Kaur, S. (2019)
5. 5 _ Cooling Mechanism- Fatehpur Sikri _Joanna, P. (2016)
6. 6_ Amber Fort, Jaipur. _ Parmar, P (2023)
7. 7_Stepwells: Cooling Mechanism _ Gupta, V (2015)
8. 8_ Red Fort: Cooling Mechanism_ Asif Ali
9. 9_Kerala BoatHouse_Sarvanan, V (2019).
10. 10_Kashmir BoatHouse_Tripadvisor (2021)
11. 11_ Piilokoju Hut_Decopic and Huisman Decopic
12. 12_Educational Facility: Arizona_Dreith, B (2023).
13. 13_ Land on Water: Floating Homes_ Visualisation is by Kvant-1