A useful fountain brief tells the designer what the place must do, who will use it, what is known about the site and which decisions remain open. You can start with a marked-up sketch; clearly identified unknowns are more useful than guessed technical figures.
Define the intended use before choosing jets
Describe a normal operating day. Is the fountain a quiet entrance feature, a scheduled musical show, an interactive play area, or a plaza that must be clear for events? State whether people are expected to enter the water. A dry deck does not by itself establish that a feature is suitable for public water play.
Identify the principal audience and viewing locations. For a show, describe the preferred duration, programme changes and nearby noise-sensitive uses. For a multi-use plaza, identify the routes and activities that must remain available when the jets stop.
Collect the site information that changes the design
| Input | Useful form | If it is unknown |
|---|---|---|
| Location and geometry | Country, site address, scaled plan, dimensions and photographs. | Provide a sketch and state that dimensions require verification. |
| Water environment | Basin depth, water-level variation or proposed deck levels. | Identify who will survey levels and investigate the existing structure. |
| Services | Available electrical supply, water source, drainage routes and equipment-space location. | Request a utility coordination schedule rather than guessing capacities. |
| Outdoor conditions | Known wind exposure, dust, saline exposure, flooding or seasonal closure. | Assign collection of site and climate information. |
Specify what a proposal must deliver
Separate concept-stage material from construction-stage documentation. At concept stage, ask for a plan, effects description, preliminary equipment allowance, utility assumptions and major exclusions. Before construction, require the coordinated drawings, design checks and approvals appropriate to the actual project.
Agree who owns the civil structure, waterproofing, treatment system, electrical installation, audio, show content and local approvals. Request a revision register so that the contractor is not building from a superseded drawing.
Copy this project enquiry template
Project name and location: Site owner / project contact: Intended use and expected public access: Approximate footprint and existing basin or deck: Available drawings and photographs: Preferred water effects / show examples: Operating hours and seasonal closure: Known power, water and drainage information: Equipment-room location and access constraints: Budget currency and included work packages: Target opening date and approval milestones: Local designer / contractor / operator: Unconfirmed information and who will verify it:
A reference video communicates a visual preference, not a complete specification. Mark the effects you want, the ones you do not need and any audience or site differences from that example.
What should happen after the first quotation?
- Resolve the most important unknowns through survey and design coordination.
- Compare proposals using the budget and quotation method.
- Confirm site readiness and acceptance responsibilities.
- Identify the operator and allocate maintenance resources before handover.
Planning reference: Georgia Fountain Company: musical/show fountain planning questions. Local approvals and requirements must be established for your location, not copied from an overseas example.