Case Studies

Water Feature

This cascade water feature has been installed in the garden square at the new Galliard Homes Harbour Central development in London’s Docklands, and perfectly sets the mood for tranquillity and reflection. The sound of the falling water in the background is relaxing for residents while they enjoy the garden space.
The feature is a cascade of water, which overspills over the castellated weir edge on two sides from the top pool to a lower pool. In the basement plantroom, the water is recirculated from the lower pool and is passed through a sand filter to filter out any dirt, and an automatic disinfection dosing system to remove any microorganisms that may develop into algae. The treated water is then returned to the upper pool in a way that leaves the surface calm and in contrast to the lower pool.

Automatic Irrigation

To ensure that the garden planting receives sufficient water to thrive, three separate methods of irrigation is used. Pop-up sprinklers automatically controlled by solenoid valves are used for the turf areas, spraying 4mm per square metre, per night. Drip irrigation has been laid in the beds at 330mm spacings for the shrubs, emitting 4mm of water per square metre, per night. Drip necklaces are used around the trees.  The Rain Bird ESP-LXD controller, in conjunction with soil moisture sensors, efficiently schedules the required water for all the plants, trees and turf growth depending on the rate of rainfall etc.

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.

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”

 

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”

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.

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 centre piece at the heart of a town.

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.

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 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.