Darling Harbour Woodward Water Feature facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Darling Harbour Woodward Water Feature |
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The water feature, pictured in 2006
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| Location | Harbour Promenade, Darling Harbour, City of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia |
| Built | 1986–1988 |
| Architect | Robert Woodward |
| Owner | Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority |
| Official name: Darling Harbour Woodward Water Feature; Water Feature at Cockle Bay; Darling Harbour; Spiral Fountain; Darling Harbour | |
| Type | state heritage (landscape) |
| Designated | 27 June 2014 |
| Reference no. | 1933 |
| Type | Other - Landscape - Cultural |
| Category | Landscape - Cultural |
| Builders | Stone Mason: Melocco Pty Ltd |
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The Darling Harbour Woodward Water Feature is a special water fountain in Darling Harbour, Sydney, Australia. It's listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register, which means it's an important historical site.
This amazing fountain was designed by Robert Woodward. It was built between 1986 and 1988. People also call it the Water Feature at Cockle Bay or the Spiral Fountain. It's owned by the Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority, which is part of the Government of New South Wales.
Contents
Discovering the Fountain's History
The Darling Harbour Water Feature officially opened in 1988. It was created by Robert Woodward, a famous architect and fountain designer.
Who Was Robert Woodward?
Robert Raymond Woodward (1923-2010) was born in Wentworthville, a suburb of Sydney. He wanted to be a manual arts teacher. However, World War II changed his plans, and he joined the army.
Being in the army taught him responsibility and how to give clear instructions. After the war, he got the chance to study architecture at the University of Sydney. He started his degree in 1947 and learned from great teachers like Leslie Wilkinson.
After graduating in 1952, Woodward worked briefly for an architectural firm. Soon after, he traveled to Europe. He spent a year working in Finland with a very famous architect named Alvar Aalto. He learned a lot from Aalto, especially about how buildings and landscapes can work together. Woodward believed that architects needed to truly understand materials.
Woodward's Return to Sydney
Woodward came back to Sydney in 1954. He started his own small architecture firm. They worked on smaller projects, like a fruit shop. They made smart changes that were later copied by many others.
In 1959, Woodward entered a competition to design a fountain for Kings Cross in Sydney. He won! This led to him building the famous El Alamein Fountain. This fountain was a huge success. It slowly changed his career, making him known as a top fountain designer around the world.
By 1968, Woodward focused mainly on designing fountains. He joined the Australian Institute of Landscape Architects in 1989. He designed many of Australia's most well-known and loved fountains.
Why Water?
Robert Woodward loved working with water. He said it was a "fine medium" to use. He found it challenging because you can't shape water like metal. But these challenges made it even more charming.
He saw water as a sculpture material. It has shape, it's clear, it reflects light, and it moves. Water is always changing, but he could still control its general form. He let natural things like wind and light add to its beauty.
The Darling Harbour Water Feature, finished in 1988, was one of Woodward's most important designs. It beautifully combines water, light, and different textures. It's a spiral shape that invites people to interact with the water.
Awards and Recognition
Robert Woodward received many awards during his life. For the Darling Harbour Water Feature, he won:
- The NSW Chapter RAIA Civic Design Merit Award in 1991.
- The National RAIA Walter Burley Griffin Award in 1991.
- The AILA National Civic Design Award in 1992.
In 1987, he was given the title of Member of the Order of Australia. This was for his great work in architecture and fountain design.
Other Works by Robert Woodward
Here are some other famous works by Robert Woodward:
- El Alamein Memorial Fountain, Kings Cross, Sydney (1959)
- Archibald Memorial Fountain, Restoration, Hyde Park, Sydney (1968)
- Chifley Square Fountain, Sydney (1971)
- Wall of Water, Sydney Square Town Hall, Sydney (1976)
- Forecourt Cascades, High Court of Australia, Canberra (1980)
- G.J. Coles Fountain, Parliament Gardens, Melbourne (1981)
- Australian Parliament House Forecourt, Canberra (1988)
What Does the Fountain Look Like?
The Woodward Water Feature is located on the waterfront promenade in Sydney's Darling Harbour. It's near the Sydney Convention Centre and Cockle Bay.
The fountain is a spiral shape. It sits in a shallow, saucer-like dip in the ground. It looks like a clean cut into the pavement. There are ten paths for water to flow and two paths for people to walk. The water flows in a mesmerizing, shallow, rippling way.
How the Water Works
Water flows from the top of each of the ten spirals. It starts smoothly and then speeds up. As it reaches its fastest speed, the water becomes very unstable. This unstable condition means the water can be easily shaped by small forces.
The way the edges of the spiral are made creates waves. These waves travel down the spiral. They move across the spiral at an angle and bounce off the other side. This creates cool crisscross patterns. The waves are always the same size, and they work together to create a continuous pattern down the spiral. This kind of wave action is unique and probably doesn't happen in nature!
The fountain uses only a small amount of water, about 5 liters per second. This is about the same amount of water a home swimming pool filter uses. Yet, it creates a large area of these amazing crisscross waves.
Condition of the Fountain
The fountain is in very good condition. It's a great example of Robert Woodward's unique fountain design. He created a special way for the water to flow. This allows small forces to shape the water into beautiful patterns.
Why is it a Heritage Site?
The Darling Harbour Woodward Water Feature is important enough to be listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register. This means it's recognized for its special value to the state.
It's important because:
- It's beautiful and well-designed: It's a spectacular fountain and a great example of modern design using water and stone. It won several awards for its amazing design in 1991 and 1992.
- It's connected to Robert Woodward: It has a special link to its designer, Robert Raymond Woodward. He was a very important architect and fountain designer, known both in Australia and around the world. He was also a veteran of World War II.
- It's part of history: It's connected to the big 1988 NSW Bicentennial celebrations. These celebrations marked 200 years since the First Fleet arrived in Australia.
The fountain is also special because it's a rare type of water feature in New South Wales. It's a unique design that combines water, light, and texture in a beautiful spiral shape. It's a place where people can interact with the water and enjoy its artistic form.
