Musical fountain sings again

by jason_cramp | October 17, 2016 12:00 pm

By Joanna Lewandowska

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Considered the oldest living city in Europe, and the sixth oldest city in the world, Plovdiv, Bulgaria, is a city steeped in rich history and culture dating back to 5000 BC and contains remnants of ancient Greek, Roman, Turkish, and Byzantine civilizations. Since the end of the 18^th century, the city’s landscape has revolved around a central community hub.

Named in honour of one of Bulgaria’s most celebrated rulers, Tsar Simeon Garden was originally designed and implemented in 1892 by Swiss landscape gardener Lucien Chevallaz for the inaugural Bulgarian Agricultural Exhibition.

Chevallaz had become Plovdiv’s official gardener in 1879, and was sometimes referred to as the ‘minister of flowers.’ After the exhibition, Tsar Simeon Garden was transitioned into Bulgaria’s first city garden and primary greenspace.

Almost ancient history

The garden was intended to embody the artistic spirit of the host city, with shade trees, flowers, and winding walkways interspaced between the structures of the bygone fair. As the gardens evolved over the years, a selection of sculptures and fountains where added as a tribute to Plovdiv’s colourful history. Chief among these was an expansive Singing Fountain (musical fountain), a large water feature at the park’s west end, constructed within a shallow, man-made lake which was also used for canoeing and recreation.

Secondary to the Singing Fountain, the Angler and Bear Fountains, in addition to numerous monuments of Bulgarian cultural leaders, modern sculptural compositions, and plastic arts were added during later developments.

Unfortunately, like many historic sites and monuments, Tsar Simeon Garden was a victim of time and neglect. The ancient trees were overcome with disease, the gardens were choked with ivy and the formally wondrous Singing Fountain was rendered silent due to disrepair. Even the Fountain of Demeter, a tribute to the Greek goddess of the harvest, and the last remaining relic from the exhibition, held more than 120 years ago, sat empty and damaged by corrosion.

Singing a different tune

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Fortunately, the city of Plovdiv came to the rescue of the venerable park, greenlighting a comprehensive renovation plan intended to help Tsar Simeon Garden recapture its former glory—starting with the complete revitalization of the beloved Singing Fountain centrepiece.

At the outset of the renovation, the fountain was only an empty concrete basin, fully drained and considered by many to be an eyesore in the park territory. While changing this status and preserving the fountain was a top priority, it was also equally imperative the project team update the fountain with a more present-day look and feel. This ambitious transformation would help maximize the water feature’s visual appeal to nearby pedestrians, helping draw foot traffic into the surrounding
park space.

In preparation for the revamped fountain design, the entire lake basin was completely refurbished, with care being taken to preserve its historical outline detailed in archived site plans. The new basin features a graduated slope design, allowing the edges to remain shallow for minimal interactive play while maintaining enough depth in the centre for the fountain infrastructure.

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To complement the renovated basin, and to add a touch of modernity to the gardens, the original fountain equipment (which sat tarnished and broken) was completely removed and replaced with new fountain technology. The new contemporary design was conceived by project architect Petco Prokopiev and installed by local fountain contractor Aquapools Ltd., while the fountain components themselves were manufactured by Toronto-based water feature specialist Crystal Fountains Inc.

Arranged roughly in the shape of a giant question mark, the new Singing Fountain comprises five distinct jet effects, including alternating cascades, fan jets, finger jets, and plume jets that jump and sway in sync to a selection of handpicked musical compositions, reaching up to a height of 12 m (39.3 ft). Of particular note is a unique hydraulic nozzle that is capable of manipulating bursts of water in a 360-degree axis.

Steal the show

In addition to the ability to create captivating fountain shows, these jet effects launch a high volume of water into the air. The resulting mist helps generate a measure of evaporative cooling for the surrounding area, providing guests a source of thermal comfort that can lead to enjoyment and extended outdoor visits on hot summer days.

The Singing Fountain’s numerous plumes and cascades also produce a significant amount of ambient noise while in operation. While park visitors can often find the aural sensation of tumbling water to be soothing, the ambient noise from the running jets also serves to effectively mask traffic noise from nearby roadways. This creates a sound insulating barrier that enhances the comfort of the Tsar Simeon Garden environment.

After the sun sets, the Singing Fountain is illuminated with countless light-emitting diode (LED) lights, incorporating an array of bright and exciting colours into the programmed water shows. Their addition illuminates the surrounding garden space and encourages guests to use the community park late into the evening.

The brains behind the water feature

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To help facilitate the sequenced water feature shows, physics-based fountain simulation software was used to create a behaviourally realistic representation of the choreography required for each chosen song.

By employing a simulation before any on-site commissioning took place, the on-site programming time for the water feature was significantly reduced, as the programmer was able to base the sequencing required for each show directly on the simulations provided, eliminating any creative guesswork. Further, the use of simulation software also increased the satisfaction on the part of the Plovdiv municipality, as they could see their fountain in action rather than simply imagining the end result and hoping for a positive outcome.

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To accommodate the addition of the high-tech fountain equipment, and control the various lighting and jet effects, a mechanical room had to be built under the artificial lake. Besides the pumps and purification systems for the fountain above, a sizeable surge tank was constructed that is fed by a large, esthetically pleasing circular overflow on the fountain’s surface. The alcove above the maintenance room is completely accessible to visitors by way of a wooden bridge. Visitors are invited to overlook the Singing Fountain from the shelter of a wood and metal pavilion that co-ordinates well with the other surrounding park structures.

Additional recreational opportunities

Situated adjacent to the Singing Fountain, an interactive dry-deck water feature was constructed to provide further recreational opportunities for park visitors. Consisting of slab-hung column jets, this feature is an exquisite attraction for all visitors and is a natural continuation of the surrounding pedestrian access to the larger fountain. Surrounding the dry deck is a small set of wooden amphitheater-style benches to provide an area for rest, relaxation, and supervision of children. Much like its famous singing companion, LED lights illuminate the dry-deck fountain at night to encourage further evening activity.

Classified as an architectural-construction monument of culture by the Plovdiv municipality, the historical Demeter Fountain, by Italian sculptor Arnoldo Zocchi, was also completely refurbished. A pump and filter system was installed for water purification and an LED light was integrated to provide artistic illumination. The degraded concrete basin was replaced with a new one of the same size comprising a reinforced bottom and waterproofing. The actual Demeter sculpture, made of cast iron, was artfully conserved and restored, with the process being overseen by an expert council at the Ministry of Culture.

A historic urban centre is revived

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To complement the reinvigorated fountains, the surrounding amenities within Tsar Simeon Garden were renovated as well. In addition to the installation of new benches, waste bins, and efficient lighting, all of the park’s trees and gardens were evaluated, cleaned up, and replaced with new plantings if decay necessitated their removal. Two children’s playgrounds within the gardens were also completely updated with new equipment, making the amenity safer and more accessible.

Sometimes referred to by Plovdiv citizens as the ‘Lungs of the City,’ Tsar Simeon Garden is now once again considered a vibrant component of the city. The renovations to the Singing Fountain and the surrounding greenspace have breathed new life into the surrounding area and helped revive the geographically and culturally significant landmark while adding a new layer of functionality and social activity to the urban park.

Once declared a monument of park art, Tsar Simeon Garden is now well-armed to recapture its position as Plovdiv’s rightful centrepiece, while preserving the history contained within it for generations to come.

Fittingly, Plovdiv has since been named one of Europe’s Capitals of Culture for 2019[7]. A designation that acts as a catalyst for economic growth and raises the city’s profile on an international stage, while highlighting the common history and values between European nations.

The rejuvenation of Tsar Simeon Garden will continue to encourage Plovdiv’s dedication to culture and community as a shared beacon of pride and entertainment for its citizens.

Tsar Simeon Garden Revitalization Project
Team members involved on this project included: • Petco Prokopiev, architect • ORAK Studio EOOD, landscape contractor • Nikolay Klenski, mechanical engineer • Aquapools Ltd., Marian Nikolov, fountain contractor • Systemy Automatyki Budynkow, audio system and fountain programming • Dorota Nowicka, fountain choreography • Crystal Fountains, water feature product manufacturer

[8]Joanna Lewandowska is the manager of eastern central Europe operations for Crystal Fountains. She has been involved in a number of the company’s wide-array of high-profile projects in Poland and eastern Europe and has contributed to a variety of industry publications. Lewandowska’s expertise is derived from more than 15 years in the water feature industry. She can be reached via e-mail at jlewandowska@crystalfountains.com[9].

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