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Water and Architecture
The book , written by the renowned Postmodern architect Charles W. Moore and featuring photography by Jane Lidz , is a comprehensive study of how water serves as a vital symbolic and physical element in design. Availability and Access
Influence and Legacy
- Water as a Sensory Trigger: Moore argues that water is unique among architectural elements because it engages all five senses. The sight of a still pool, the sound of a fountain, the smell of damp earth, the feel of mist on skin, and even the taste of salt air—water brings spaces to life.
- Reflection and Illusion: Moore was fascinated by water’s ability to double the visual mass of a building. He cites historical examples, from the Taj Mahal’s reflecting pool to the canals of Venice, where water creates a "secondary architecture" of shimmering illusion.
- The Edge Phenomenon: One of Moore’s most cited concepts is the power of the edge between water and land. He posits that human beings are naturally drawn to the liminal zone—the dock, the shore, the fountain’s rim—because it offers both security and mystery.
- Ceremonial and Daily Use: The essay moves from grand Renaissance gardens to humble Japanese tsukubai (stone water basins). Moore demonstrates that water can structure both high ritual and the quiet rhythm of daily life.
Purchase
: Used and new copies are available on ThriftBooks , Amazon , and AbeBooks . Core Content & Themes charles moore water and architecture pdf download
Fountains and Waterfalls
: Examining the kinetic energy of water in public spaces. Water and Architecture The book , written by
- JSTOR (often contains chapters from books)
- ProQuest Dissertations & Theses (many dissertations cite Moore extensively and include full-text PDFs)
- HathiTrust Digital Library (partial views of out-of-copyright materials; some of Moore’s earlier essays may be available)
- Internet Archive (archive.org) — Search for “Charles Moore water architecture”; sometimes scanned copies of out-of-print books appear legally.