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Combine

The Combine cards suggest thinking of the subject in different ways, thinking of it as multiple units, thinking of different packaging, forms, etc.  These elements and ideas can then be combined.  So what is flood?  It’s a lot of water but we could also call a lot of water a pond or lake.  What other uses do these have?  They could be used for recreation, i.e. boating, canoeing, for transport or for food production (rice, cranberries). Also good spaces for biodiversity, migratory bird species, bird-watching, etc.

Oxford’s development grew around the historic water meadows.  When these flood and freeze in winter people go ice skating, although it’s not so common anymore.  The flood/freeze was looked forward to with anticipation, it was a treat.  At the Peterhof, a summer palace outside St Petersburg, natural water pressure is used to drive a whole range of water features and fountains, many of which are designed with fun in mind.  They have hidden switches which cause water to spurt out at the unsuspecting.  An innocent looking shaded seat suddenly becomes an umbrella fountain, hiding (trapping?) the seated occupant behind a cascade of water.  The gardens are famous for channelling water, storing it and then using the natural resource to create a pleasure garden.  Can water in public spaces be used in the same way?  Design with water to have cascading pools or natural fountains that only fill/operate during times of high flow or water volume.  Flood waters then generate fun; flood alleviation becomes a treat, a transitory feature that is appreciated while it’s there.

Water is part of our national psyche.  We’re an island nation and are drawn to rivers, the sea, lakes and ponds.  Do we see water as connecting us to nature?  Is water therefore perceived to be part of a healthy lifestyle, trying to live in balance with nature?  Does this mean that we need to get water into public spaces but in a way that works with nature rather than using hard engineering/concrete solutions?

Almost everyone likes to play in water.  Are there any new built offices which incorporate a ‘street’ and stream which haven’t had the staff playing pooh-sticks, having duck races or similar?  Whenever there is a flood we get pictures of kids playing in the water (no matter now dirty or contaminated it might be).  Use this association but make it clean and safe. 

One of the ‘Combine’ cards says imagine you are the subject.  If I try to think like a flood, it becomes about a journey.  All I want to do is head down the hill to somewhere quiet, following the path of least resistance.  If I flow though man made hard engineering like drainage pipes I feel constrained and become more chaotic/destructive.  I’d rather be flowing through channels that mimic rivers in their gentle banks and curves, moving through pond systems.  Being calm rather than chaotic.  Not wasting energy.

Use flood water as an asset.  We already live in a cycle of flood and drought.  Celebrate when we have plenty of water.  This goes back to making it a transitory feature of public space.  Use water in interesting ways. Art installations?  Use an installation which is a flow gauge, using colour to indicate higher flow rates and increased flooding risk.  It’s a communication and awareness tool as well as making increased water flow something positive.

Big idea – use water flow as a communication tool, using art installations, innovative creative water features to engage the public and make them aware of variation in water levels using fun as the attraction.  Example, water pressure fed fountain/arc of water – height is indicative of flood risk.  Features in ponds that respond to changing water levels.  Channels which modify the behaviour of water as flow rates change in an art work rather than purely functional engineering piece.