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WaterWorks at Arizona Falls
Permanent Installation |
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| Water Room |
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| Location: |
Arizona Canal, Phoenix, AZ completed June 2003 |
| Client: | Phoenix Arts Commission |
| Size: | Generator Room; 40' x 40' Site: 200' x 300' |
| Materials: | Water, land, sandstone, planting, metal |
| Budget: | $6 Million including
SRP construction
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| Landscape Architect: | Steve Martino Associates
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| This project addresses the re-use of an old hydropower station on the Arizona Canal. The Canals of Phoenix are a public utility managed by SRP providing essential water supply and irrigation. The Generator Room was the site of the generator for the power plant. The Art Commision and SRP have engaged in a first joint venture to generate both energy and public open space. | 
Aerial View |
A new exterior Water room has been created. Some of the water is diverted from the canal into two new aqueducts framing each side of the Water Room. The aqueducts release the water back into the canal on both sides of the Room creating a pair of waterfalls.
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| The Arizona Canal |
Front View of Water Room and Generator House | Night View at the Falls |
Entering the Water Room Concept Sketch |
At the rear of the room a curtain of water falls over the remaining gears and shafts from the old generator. At the sides of the room a concrete and stone wall releases small trickles of water that flow down the wall, run into a pool and drain back into the canal.The path leading into the Water Room takes visitors directly under the waterfalls, then continues across the island, ramping up among the riparian terraces to a new pedestrian bridge that crosses to the north bank.
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Entering the WaterRoom - Reality
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| The Water Room is a magical space, lined with desert stone walls and water, a Generator Room for water sensations, ideas and community energy. | 
Seating stones in the water Room |
Eye on the Canal | 
Main Entry |
The details of the project create a dance among water, electricity and the people who use the place. The entry is through a 10' water pipe flanked by pillars topped by a water scupper and an electric insulator. Along Indian School Road a series of entrances to the canal bank are marked by the Eyes on the Canal to announce the water that cannot be seen directly.
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| A Drinking Fountain serves a practical need as well as a visceral connection to the bigger waters around. | 
Drinking Fountain |
Dance floor with shadows
| The shadows cast by the dance floor roof include a light bulb. |
Stoa Floor with reed pattern
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 5 Rocks from the 5 Salt River Dams
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The floor of the Stoa is patterned with reeds and includes 5 rocks, one from each of the Salt River Dams.
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2,230 KB QuickTime
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All Photos by |
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5 Rocks from the 5 Salt River Dams