Project Category: Water Features

Project Overview:
Taikoo Place, a prestigious development in Hong Kong, is home to more than 300 multinational companies and is recognised for its strong emphasis on sustainability, connectivity, and efficiency. A standout feature of the project is its two expansive gardens, offering nearly 70,000 square feet of open space and greenery—an exceptional rarity in Hong Kong’s dense commercial areas. The development has recently been awarded the 2024 ULI Asia Pacific Award for Excellence, reflecting its innovative and sustainable design.

Our Role:
Ocmis was honoured to be approached as the water feature consultant for this project, tasked with designing several stunning water elements that would enhance the visual and sensory experience of the space. Our team designed four unique pools, varying in size, each featuring dynamic water effects to complement the tranquil garden setting. These water features include graceful arching jets that reach heights of up to 4 metres, as well as intricate cascades flowing over custom-designed stone patterns.

Design and Development Process:
To ensure that the final design met the client’s high expectations, Ocmis utilised an on-site mock-up facility to trial and test various design options. This allowed us to refine the cascade effect and perfect the visual appeal of the water flow, ensuring that the final product was both visually striking and seamlessly integrated into the overall garden landscape. The water features were designed to provide a peaceful and serene backdrop to the bustling commercial hub, offering spaces for relaxation, reflection, and community events.

A Space for All to Enjoy:
The water features we designed have become a focal point within the gardens, inviting visitors to gather and unwind amidst the calming sounds of flowing water. The intention was to create a natural yet visually captivating environment, balancing the vibrant energy of the city with moments of tranquillity. From intimate gatherings by the water to larger public events, the water features contribute to making Taikoo Place a welcoming space for all.

Award-Winning Excellence:
The recognition of Two Taikoo Place with the 2024 ULI Asia Pacific Award for Excellence further underscores the success of this project. We are proud that our contribution to the water features played a part in achieving this accolade, and that our designs have helped to create a space that is not only environmentally sustainable but also enriches the daily experiences of the community.

Project Credits:
Client: Swire Properties
Architect: Wong & Ouyang (HK) Ltd
Local Landscape Architects: URBIS Limited
Landscape Architects: Gustafson Porter + Bowman
Engineers: Arup (Structure) and J. Roger Preston Ltd. (M+E)
Architects for the elevated walkway: Hugh Dutton Associés
Water Feature Consultant: Ocmis Ltd.
Lighting Consultant: Speirs Major Light Architecture

Photography credits: Swire Properties

As part of the £250m Southwater regeneration project in Telford, Ocmis were approached to design and install a highly requested 25-jet fountain feature to amplify the heart of the town, as a celebration of Telford’s 50th anniversary in 2018.This feature now stands prominently in the popular public square for all to enjoy, nestled close to the new Travelodge hotel, 11-Screen Cineworld, restaurants, bars, coffee shops and leisure facilities with interactive art and atmospheric lighting throughout the Southwater Square. 

The fountain comprises 25 individually controllable Oase jets and LEDs, creating a mesmerising display of water and light. Subtle fogging emits from each nozzle at set intervals pays homage to Telford’s rich history in steam railways, adding a unique touch to the visual experience. The innovative Oase technology allows for dynamic patterns and choreographed movements, offering endless possibilities for programmed shows throughout the day. 

Since its installation, the fountain has significantly boosted the area’s popularity, becoming a major draw for both locals and visitors. With millions of possible colour combinations, the feature captivates the eye, especially in the evening when the surrounding building lights sync with the fountain’s programmed shows. This synchronization brings the entire square to life, providing a unique and vibrant experience. 

The plant room, located in the nearby hotel, ensures that all water used in the display is safe for public interaction. The water is recirculated to minimise wastage, and an automatic filtration removes any suspended debris from the system water. An automatic chemical dosing system continuously monitors and treats the system water to maintain disinfection levels, guaranteeing the safety of everyone interacting with the feature. The display pumps are managed through a bespoke Ocmis control panel, located in the plantroom where it is easily accessible for maintenance but out of sight to the public, ensuring smooth and efficient operation. 

The Telford & Wrekin Council Destination Tourism Officer, Sally Coated remarked, “The fountains have been a major spectacle and success with both visitors and the community, a fantastic installation with great impact for all”. 

Once home to one of Dorchester’s most historic landmarks, Eldridge Pope Brewery which ceased production in the early 2000s, the heart of the town centre is now a vibrant and bustling urban quarter known as Brewery Square.

Redeveloped in the early 2010s, Brewery Square has become a leisure hub that combines a dynamic shopping environment, hotel accommodations, residential spaces, offices, and numerous activities for the community. 

A key element enhancing the aesthetic appeal of Brewery Square is its prominent water feature located in the centre of the square, a dry plaza feature consisting of 37 Oase jets and RGB LEDs. Thanks to the innovative technology from Oase these jets can be individually programmed to create dynamic water displays, with the water dancing up to 2 metres vertically, leaving endless possibilities for shows with over millions of different colour combinations available. 

Set to a scheduler, the water feature performs different shows throughout the day, captivating the public with its mesmerising displays. As night falls, the RGB LEDs create an enchanting visual spectacle that captivates passersby, making them stop and marvel at the vibrant light and water choreography.

Since the installation of this feature it has been a massive success with locals and visitors from a far, keeping the children entertained on hot days whilst parents enjoy the visual water choreography having a coffee nearby. 

The feature is designed with safety and sustainability in mind. Water returns to the storage reservoir below through subtle open paving slots surrounding the feature ready for the system to automatically circulate, filter, and chemically dose the water. This ensures it remains operational by removing suspended debris and safe for public interaction, as well as visually pleasing at all times in such a prominent location.

The Middlesbrough Institute of Modern Art (MIMA), a renowned cultural hub, opened in 2007, with the intention to enrich the community with modern and contemporary art and has been pivotal in changing perceptions of Middlesbrough’s arts landscape. Ocmis were approached to design and install a plaza fountain to celebrate the launch, a significant project that enhances both the aesthetic and environmental value of the gallery, aligning with MIMA’s commitment to sustainability and community involvement.

The feature consists of 120 No. aerated water switches covered by stainless steel laser cut grilles, illuminated by 136 No. submersible lights installed within the paving slabs of the pool. Each water switch is installed 50mm beneath the water level and rises to 1.2m high, with a programmable controller individually adjusting the speed of the display pumps thus allowing different jet heights to be scheduled throughout the day. The system also includes a wind anemometer, which is linked into the controller, to reduce jet height during periods of high wind therefore reducing water wastage by over spray. When this feature isn’t running it remains as a gorgeous, serene pool and to this day remains to be extremely popular and beloved by the community, even being used by the council to create awareness for different causes by changing the colour of the water. 

The plant room, located within the Town Hall building 35 metres from the fountain, houses a sophisticated filtration system that removes debris and treats the water to ensure safety and cleanliness. An automatic water monitoring system continuously checks pH levels, chemical balance, and overall quality, making real-time adjustments to maintain hygiene standards for public interaction. This ensures the fountain remains safe, clean, and visually appealing.

The Glass Works was the second phase of BMBC’s ‘Better Barnsley’ programme, developing a new social hub consisting of a public square with flexible space for events, a 13-screen cinema, a multi-storey car park, and restaurant, retail, and leisure destinations.

As part of this ambitious project, Ocmis were approached to design and install several water features; including a dry plaza, a cascade falling into a large pool, then running into a rill complete with white linear lighting. 

The dry plaza jet feature consists of 10 Oase jets and LEDs, all individually controllable to allow endless possibilities in programmable shows for the public to enjoy with dynamic water patterns and choreographed movements thanks to the innovative technology from Oase. Each jet is set with a maximum height of 2 meters, equipped with RGB LEDs allowing the clear water to be illuminated in both the daytime and evenings, with over 16 million possible colour combinations. Although not designed to be an interactive feature, children will be found playing in the dancing jets as the water treatment filtration system continuously filters, monitors and treats the fountain water to ensure it is clean, safe and visually pleasing for all to enjoy without concern. 

Located by the dry plaza, the cascade stands out boldly as a visually striking feature to complement the reimagined public square. Water is pumped into the top pool through a slotted inlet manifold allowing the water to diffuse creating a clear flow over a series of steps into the bottom pool illuminated by subtle LED strips. Once the water has entered the bottom pool it is pumped back into the top pool via a dedicated submersible pump creating a seamless flow, adding to the effect of the cascade. Using our in-house mock-up facility, Ocmis were able to create a mock-up of the cascade to test and demonstrate different water effects to the client to be sure the final product met expectations.  

Several rills are installed along the public pathway leading up to the features, illuminated by LED strips like the lower cascade pool. The water is directly supplied from the bottom pool of the cascade, flowing through the various rills before collecting in a paddling pool at the end which overflows water back to the water storage tank to be filtered and reused.

The entire system is operated by a user-friendly touch screen operator interface, controlled by an Ocmis design and built control panel within the plantroom.

What was once the site of old gas works, used as a car park for two decades, Millennium Town Park in Jersey’s capital – St Helier – underwent a major transformation in 2011 to bring new life to the town. After receiving over 16,400 handwritten signatures from the locals in favour of the idea to regenerate the area, the process began to achieve this beautiful park with distinctive character and facilities. Ocmis were approached to design and install two water features: a captivating 24-jet dry plaza alongside an ambitious rain curtain display.   

Standing out as one of the most unique water features we have had the privilege of designing, the rain curtain display is sure to catch the eye of anyone passing by as well as create a fun, interactive feature for all to enjoy. Spanning 8m and 3.5m high, the top of the feature is supplied by a submersible pump in an underground chamber, filling a hidden channel above before cascading down to create a stunning rainfall display. Water is then collected in a channel below before traveling back to the plantroom creating a seamless and mesmerizing effect. 

The dry plaza consists of 24 individually controllable jets, enhanced with RGB LED lighting making the streams of water stand out bold throughout both daytime and when the evenings begin to draw in with vibrant colour. With a maximum height of 2m the jets can perform a variety of different shows, programmed to change sequence throughout the day on a scheduler, giving endless possibilities. Though not labelled as an interactive feature, all water passed through the feature is filtered and treated to make sure that the public can safely enjoy, as these features are extremely popular for children to play in, as well as remain visually pleasing and fully operational. 

Ocmis also installed an irrigation system to ensure the establishment and ongoing vitality of the high-quality planted areas, shrubs, and meadows. The rainwater harvesting system was implemented to enhance sustainability, resulting in a cost-effective and environmentally friendly water supply. The water distribution spans over 5,000m of underground pipe work and over 7,200m of drip irrigation tube, electronically timed throughout the day, providing each area with the precise amount of water needed through driplines, sprinklers, and tree necklaces throughout the dry summer months. 

The developers encountered several challenges when installing this feature due to the site’s history of heavy contamination. To address this, an impermeable geosynthetic clay liner was laid to isolate the contaminated soil. Above this liner, a drainage layer was installed, followed by clean soil at varying depths. This design ensured that all rainwater was collected by the drainage layer before it could cross-contaminate with the polluted ground below. The collected rainwater was then channelled to an underground storage tank, constructed within the relined former tar tank of the well works. 

St. Helier has greatly benefited from the area’s regeneration. The park has become a focal point for celebrations and community events, while the water features attract both locals and tourists seeking fun and relaxation. 

The Horlicks Quarter, located in Slough in the Royal County of Berkshire, about 20 miles from London, has been redeveloped into a new selection of stylish apartments, penthouses and houses.

The redevelopment of the Horlicks Quarter includes the modern icon – the Horlicks Factory. Open since 1908, the factory has dominated the Slough Skyline and is the town’s most recognised and loved landmark, now imaginatively redefined to provide luxury living spaces.

As part of the redevelopment, Ocmis working with the Berkeley Group have developed a variety of different water features, including elegant rills, striking corten steel pools, captivating memorial cascades and a stunning dry plaza fountain to bring visually pleasing enjoyment for all the new residents and public.

When walking through the Horlicks Quarter, you will walk alongside two corten steel pools, reflecting the sky and the newly developed apartment buildings. The custom fabricated corten steel brings a unique visual to the pools, whilst covering the waters entry and exit point, allowing for a seamless effect to match the redeveloped areas aesthetic.

Three rills meander through the picturesque landscape, each carving their own unique path to follow, a simple yet effective feature complimented by eye-catching stone work. Similar to the pool, these rills are a fantastic addition as unlike the dry plaza feature, they produce little to no noise, ensuring minimal disturbance to residents during the earlier and later hours of the day.  

One of the main attractions to the Horlicks Quarter area is their bronze memorial statue, standing directly across from the entrance of the factory. Two cascades were installed either side of the memorial, enhancing what was once overgrown land to highlight where the statue stands. Both cascades create a relaxing flow of water, complimenting the stone work giving a reflective effect before water intentionally flows over the curved edge creating the monuments tranquil scenery. Water is then collected in a channel with the overflow depth allowing for minimal splash or spillage onto the pathway.

The dry plaza fountain, located in front of the brand new Factory Cafe, means members of the public and local residents will be able to enjoy dancing jet shows whilst enjoying their morning coffee or walking through the redeveloped area whilst children can enjoy playing in the jets. As the evenings begin to draw in, each jet is equipped with RGB LED lights allowing the feature to come to life with colour, having over 16 million colour combinations leaving endless possibilities when programming shows for all to enjoy. Each jet is individually controllable, allowing unique shows to be created with a maximum jet height of two metres; meaning this feature is sure to stand out prominently.

All of the features are serviced by a single plant room and control system, conveniently located near the installations. This system incorporates the latest innovations in water filtration and treatment. Having a centralised control system simplifies system monitoring and allows Ocmis engineers to make quick adjustments to the displays and light shows without sacrificing significant space on site.

The Fellowship Square fountain stands as a testament to the rejuvenation efforts in the London borough of Waltham Forest. Installed in 2020/21 as a pivotal part of the renovation and revitalisation project centred around Waltham Forest Town Hall, the fountain has become a symbol of community gathering and beauty.

The project itself was a collaborative effort between ISG and Ocmis Ltd. ISG, known for their expertise in construction and renovation, were awarded the task of revamping Waltham Forest Town Hall, while Ocmis Ltd took on the responsibility to design, supply, and install the fountain that now graces Fellowship Square. This took place during COVID restrictions which posed many challenges, these were overcome safely and effectively following all government guidance.

One of the central objectives of the regeneration project was to create a vibrant and inviting community space. This vision materialised thanks to Churchman Thornhill Finch, the minds behind the design of the pedestrian area adjacent to the fountain. This new pedestrian area replaced the previous entrance road and an existing water fountain, making way for a more pedestrian-friendly and aesthetically pleasing environment.

The heart of the fountain’s allure lies in its sophisticated construction. Comprising 145 individually controlled Oase jets and LEDs, the fountain becomes a mesmerising display of water and light, captivating the senses of all who come across it. The innovative technology of the Oase jets allows for dynamic water patterns and choreographed movements, creating a spectacle that delights visitors of all ages.

The efforts of the designers, construction team and Ocmis Ltd bore fruit when the renovation project was completed in early summer 2021. From the moment the fountain made its grand debut, it quickly became a landmark for both locals and visitors alike. The Fellowship Square fountain soon established itself as a gathering spot for the community, drawing people from all walks of life to witness the dance of water and light.

With the success of the fountain and the renewed charm of Waltham Forest Town Hall’s surroundings, the borough has seen a resurgence of community spirit and pride. Residents now have a place where they can come together, celebrate, and create memories. The combination of design, technology, and urban planning has breathed new life into the heart of Waltham Forest, leaving a legacy to be cherished for generations.

Post handover, Ocmis have continued to work alongside the client with a supportive and comprehensive maintenance regime, in addition to new programming of the fountain for various community events, showcasing the spectacular lights and jets.

The grand opening of the fountain in 2022 marked a momentous occasion in Gloucester’s history as it celebrated the 50th anniversary of the iconic Kings Square. This new addition to the city’s landscape became the centrepiece of a major urban development project in the bustling city centre, further enhancing its appeal and charm. Ocmis worked alongside Reef Group and Gloucester City Council during the concept design, with Ocmis then being contracted to E.G. Carter for installation.

With its remarkable design and captivating features, the fountain quickly became a beloved attraction among locals and tourists alike. The 29 arching jets of water complete with lighting creates a mesmerizing display that perfectly complements the surrounding environment. As water gracefully dances through the air, blending harmoniously with the surrounding environment which has been designed based on the Severn Bore, a tidal surge along the river.

The fountain’s popularity has soared since its inauguration, drawing a continuous stream of visitors to the heart of Gloucester. Families, couples, and friends gather around the fountain, finding joy in watching the water dance and playfully interacting with the whimsical jets. The rhythmic sounds of water splashing created a soothing ambiance that provided respite from the hustle and bustle of urban life.

Furthermore, the fountain’s presence played a significant role in revitalizing the city centre. The square has become a vibrant gathering place where people could come together to appreciate the arts, engage in cultural events, or simply relax and enjoy the serene surroundings.

Ocmis were proud to attend the opening event in 2022, commissioning a unique fountain show for the day, with the celebration featuring lighting displays, dance performances, live music and a dramatic high-wire walk. The event proved hugely successful bringing many people to the new city centre.

The plantroom for the system is installed underground in old public toilets. The water recirculates to reduce the need for additional water. A below ground tank allows the features to drain down when not in use without wasting the water. There is an automatic filtration and treatment system that ensures the water is safe, and the display pumps are controlled through a bespoke control centre allowing simple control and the ability to run shows, written by Ocmis.

As part of the prestigious Lillie Square development in London’s Earls Court, Ocmis were awarded the contract for the installation of the water feature and the site wide landscape irrigation system. Ocmis were contracted to Sir Robert McAlpine for the works and worked closely with them to install the systems. The water feature, contemporary garden-square landscape and river walk were designed by Andy Sturgeon, who have created a wonderful park for the residents to wander through and relax in.

Reflective Pool Water Feature

The water table is constructed from four different types of granite in a variety of finishes. The infinity edge around the perimeter of the raised feature together with the wetted granite sides, makes the whole installation a highly reflective piece during the day, and is particularly attractive under the ambient lighting at night.

Ocmis installed an automatic filtration and treatment system to keep the water clean and clear, to enhance the reflective qualities. The water feature equipment and controls necessary to operate the feature are housed in a basement plant room where it is easily accessible for maintenance but out of sight of residents.

Garden Irrigation

The landscape is on a podium deck above the car park. The automatic irrigation maintains the trees, shrubs and lawns to ensure a healthy green space. Rain Bird equipment was used throughout the installation, including Xeri-Bug drip emitters to irrigate the trees, 1800 series sprinklers to irrigate the lawn areas, and 17mm XF Series Dripline to irrigate the shrubs.

The control of the irrigation system is handled by a PC based Rain Bird Site Control LT control system, which individually controls each solenoid valve. The irrigation plant room is located out of view of the residents. The irrigation system operates within a 6-hour time window over night to reduce water loss through evaporation and avoid any inconvenience to the residents. A remote access system is installed to enable maintenance teams to operate the irrigation system through a Smartphone app, which helps to ensure residents don’t get wet when the system is being operated manually.

The Client commented that “…the Ocmis team were very professional and provided a scheme that has met our expectations to the full”

Ocmis are proud to have worked as the specialist water feature M&E design and Installation Engineers for the “Forgotten Streams” art work outside the Norman Foster Stirling prize winning Bloomberg office in The City.

Concept behind the Sculpture

The City’s lost river, the Walbrook, once flowed across the Bloomberg site. The water feature is in three parts, two pools on the west Square and one pool on the East Square, recreates the sense of a tidal river flowing under the building, so visiting public can imagine a London from a distant Pre-Roman time.

Creating the vision

Cristina Iglesias took inspiration for the Forgotten Streams artwork from the Walbrook River. The riverbed effect is composed of sheets of bronze that are moulded into a riverbed of intertwined tree roots, leaves, mud and vegetation.

Ocmis worked closely on site with Cristina Inglesias, the works renowned Spanish artist, as she sculptured the flowing water effects over the exposed river beds in the pools.

Over 40 individual sources of water are introduced into each pool at differing levels. During commissioning, an Ocmis Engineer could make the fine adjustments to each of the trickling streams into the pool from a tablet computer web-linked to the main control panel in the basement. Cristina Inglesias was then able to create her inspiration of a tidal water effect draining through the network of roots and vegetation.

There are three modes of operation for the Water Feature.

Stream Mode

The feature water appears as a small stream running through the artwork and across the feature. Most of the artwork is uncovered and the features will operate at a relatively low flow.

Tributary Mode

Additional water issues from the perimeter of the sculptural reliefs and flows over the artwork into the central streams. The water outlets are programmable and regulated, creating the mysterious and gentle effects that are central to the Forgotten Streams installation. The flow rate of the system is highest in tributary mode.

Flood Mode

The pools are able to reach their flood levels in 20 minutes, can be maintained at the flood level and drain down again, returning to one of the other operating modes.

Water Treatment

The Water Feature has a state of the art treatment system with water continually recycled, filtered and cleaned. Captured rainwater within the pools is used in part to top up the system.

Reference

Tim Hare, Project Director, with Main Contractor Sir Robert MCAlpine said, “Ocmis have completed a complex (by any standards) design, working closely with a high profile artist and her Spanish “Artisan Contractor”. They have executed the build and commissioning in a patient and cooperative manner, working closely with Mechanical, Waterproofing and Stonework contractors to produce a first class installation. They have done everything that has been asked of them”

When standing on the platform of one of London’s busiest tube stations, many people are unaware of what is happening above their heads, beyond the concrete amidst the hustle and bustle of the modern day city.

Ocmis designed and installed an automatic irrigation system, with inclusive PH level monitoring and fertiliser input amongst a number of other features. to the inner city park area being developed above the Jubilee line station in Canary Wharf. The enormous variety of plants are all irrigated using a variety of spray, mist and drip watering techniques, all centrally controlled by a PC based system located within the Canary Wharf Management building.

Experience Barnsley – Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council

Located at the heart of Barnsley in South Yorkshire, Ocmis have installed a new water feature commissioned by Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council and designed in collaboration with in-house Highways and Engineering Department. Situated next the town hall, and as part of the £1.9 million Experience Barnsley Museum and Cultural Project, the dancing jets are a permanent addition to the town that have already been enjoyed by thousands of residents and tourists.

The feature consists of 30 custom made nozzles in three banks of 10. The nozzles are integrated into channels with stainless steel grilles to provide an uninterrupted pedestrian area. The arching jets of water provide a sense of drama when viewed from street level. The jets are controlled by a bespoke control panel, designed and built by Ocmis, which contains a menu of programmes that can be selected from the touch screen. Each programme is designed specifically for the Experience Barnsley scheme, making this a unique feature that cannot be experienced anywhere else. The water is housed in a 50,000 litre underground water storage tank and pumped at 30,000 litres per hour, passing through a filtration and a chlorine dosing system to combat water based bacteria, creating a safe and fun environment for visitors of all ages to enjoy.

The central control panel can be accessed remotely using a secure internet based remote access system. This allows Ocmis engineers to fault find and make changes to the displays and light shows quickly. It also gives the BMBC operators the ability to control the system remotely.

As twilight falls the feature comes to life, 90 RGBW LED lights throw beams of light through the water jets creating a spectacle on a grand scale. The naturally fading LED’s intertwine and synchronise with the display, creating enchanting coloured streams of water. With the possibility of choosing 16 million colours, there is never the risk of the feature becoming mundane.

With the feature being a place of fun and entertainment during the day, by night it turns into a beautiful center-piece at the heart of a town.

Heathrow T5 Water Feature Hyland Edgar Driver

Ocmis worked closely with Hyland Edgar Driver to develop a water feature to suit the scale of the new Heathrow Terminal 5. The 39 meter high glass façade conveys power and modernity. Positioned in between the terminal and car park, the Interchange Plaza is an intimate space with mature trees and planting that allows visitors to spend time relaxing. Positioned adjacent to the main pedestrian routes between the car park and the terminal the dry plaza fountain provides animation, light and sound.

The 55 Choreoswitch™ waterswitches are linked to 11 pumps located in a purpose built basement plant room beneath the Plaza. The combination of individual nozzle switching and control of the pumps enables Ocmis to programme displays to suit any occasion. The switches are linked to a DMX unit that also controls the 110 colour changing LED lights integrated into the nozzle housings. Displays can be fast and energetic with dramatic colours or subdued and gentle.

The scheme took three years to develop from the design concept to the start of construction. Ocmis were contracted to Laing O’Rourke and worked closely with them to deliver the project safely, on programme and on budget. Building standards at Heathrow Terminal 5 were exacting and it was an exciting challenge for the Ocmis design team and engineers to work to the rigorous standards.

Sheaf Square Sheffield Regeneration Projects Design Team

Sheaf Square, located on the subterranean confluence of the river Sheaf and the Porter Brook, has been redeveloped into a new public space outside Sheffield Railway Station and stands as the new gateway into Sheffield.

Forming part of the ‘Gold Route’, extending from the station into the heart of the city, the redevelopment of Sheffield Station and Sheaf Square has provided Sheffield with a world class entrance into the city.

As part of this redevelopment, Ocmis working with Sheffield Regeneration Projects Design Team (RPDT) and Jordan’s Engineering, have developed the initial designs into a world class water feature.

Essentially comprising of two separate elements the fountains consist of a cascade feature with seven cascading pools of water, adjacent to the 80m long stainless steel water covered ‘Cutting Edge’ sculpture.

Concealed along the foot of the lowest cascade a custom designed and manufactured ‘cold mist’ system produces clouds of virtual steam at pre-set intervals during the evening.

During the design phase of this project Ocmis constructed various full size mock-ups, developing and approving the concepts as work progressed ensuring the final result exceeded expectations.

In a high profile feature such as this a large quantity of plant is required in order to both operate the various systems and maintain the water clarity and safety, concealing all this equipment whilst maintaining accessibility can be problematic. At Sheaf Square the entire fountain mechanics are concealed in plantrooms located below the cascade pools, allowing operators straightforward efficient access to all items of equipment. Additionally, being in Sheffield, Ocmis utilised stainless steel pipework throughout the plantrooms, all fabricated within our own fabrication department, and assembled on site.

Water quality is crucial for all water features such as this, and as such the water is constantly filtered, treated and monitored with an automatic system in the plant room, utilizing chlorination, UV and Ozone sterilisation systems to ensure it is clean and safe.

The entire system is operated by a user friendly touch screen operator interface and controlled by an Ocmis design and built control panel.

The history and popularity of Old Market Square in the hearts of the people of Nottingham needed a very special, versatile and inclusive design. Since completion in 2007 the Gustafson Porter designed scheme has proved its worth, a thriving centre to the City and a home to civic events, fairs, concerts, markets and the summer Beach Party. The scheme was commissioned by Nottingham City Council and Ocmis implemented the water features with Balfour Beatty Ltd as the main contractor.

The water features at the western end of the square are huge, complex and enormously popular. There are three main elements, a 30 metre long reflective water table, a jet terrace with arching jets that are fun to all age groups and also a reflective and interactive water scrim.

The sky and surrounding buildings are reflected in the water table and scrim, enlivening the space and adding to the appreciation of the surroundings. The water table at the southern end of the water fall is cleverly animated by the dynamic water effects on the sides as the water flows over the edges into the rills. The design of the water fall at the southern end creates strings of water that break up and catch the light, enhancing the effect using a minimum water flow. The different widths and ranges of the bespoke arching jets give height and a random feel to the central terrace, allowing people to interact and walk close to the jets without having to get wet. The adjacent scrim has a few millimetres of water flowing over it, again to allow children and adults to walk over it and interact with the water without getting wet.

At night the feature is subtly lit with lighting under the water fall and in the two rills. The fibre optic lights in the jet terrace highlight the movement and form of the arches of water and draw people towards it. The light from the surrounding buildings and street lighting reflects in the wet surfaces, making a magnificent spectacle of the Town Hall when viewed across the feature from the western end of the square.

The mechanics of the system are installed underground in the old public toilets. The water recirculates so minimal additional water is needed. A large below ground tank allows the features to drain down when not in use without wasting the water. There is an automatic filtration and treatment system that ensures the water is safe, and the display pumps are controlled through a bespoke control centre to allow features to be operated to suit the activities in the Square.

Buxton Crescent is a stunning Georgian Grade 1 listed curved terrace in the heart of Buxton, with the backdrop of the Derbyshire Peak District. It has recently reopened as a luxurious spa hotel after a long and sympathetic restoration.

To add a beautiful finishing touch to the Spa Hotel entrance, Ocmis were asked to design, supply, and install a new fountain. The 500mm high fountains are equally spaced along the 18-metre-long curved pool; these are up-lit with LED lighting.

The water in the fountain is continually recycled back to the plant room in the hotel cellar. The filtration and treatment system continuously filters, monitors and treats the fountain water to ensure it is clean and safe. The automatic system reduces the maintenance necessary and, through the programming functions, can be used to reduce operating costs.

Ocmis worked collaboratively with the architect and main contractor to overcome the many challenges of working in the fabric of a Grade 1 listed building. The new fountain enhances customers arrival at the hotel and complements the fine historic building.