Watersongs

Located on the south side of the new laboratory building, the work runs 200' from east to west, 45' from north to south, and descends 16' from the upper to lower level of the entrance plaza.

The Source Pool is at the center of the overall work.  It is a 7' x 7' x 5' high cube clad in black granite standing at the top of the stairway leading to the main laboratory entrance.  A rock-filled pool slowly swells with water, which overflows and sheets down the sides of the cube. On the pool's north face, the water flows over its side feeding the Stream bed, the primary element of "Watersongs".  The Stream Bed is a 7' wide structure clad in rough granite that follows the entry stair from the upper plaza to the ground floor entry of the laboratory, descending 16' along its 40' length.  The Stream Bed is composed of a field of natural boulders and stones ranging between 8" and 14" in size, and arranged in groups that are both a natural and intentional configuration with the primary purpose of creating individual "songs" as the water flows over them.  These groups of larger rocks are surrounded by a field of smaller 1" to 3" water rounded pebbles carefully edge-set in a shingled, swirling pattern that causes the water to froth and chatter, and giving the stream an overall collection of tonalities.  Through a series of timers and control values, the velocity of the stream changes, further orchestrating the sound from a vigorous, quickly moving laugh, to a gentle warble.  Back at the Source Pool, the water flows down the south face of the cube in a moving pattern of small, scale-like waves and disappears in a narrow slot at the base.  On the east side, the water flows down a slot, supplying a 6" wide Runnel that runs 85' to the Vortex Pool.  This Runnel is contained by a seatwall and backrest screen composed of two layers of stainless steel that creates a changing moiré pattern as one passes by.  The Vortex is a 5' diameter pool with a tangential stream of water that forces the pool of water to spin.  As it spins it forms a perpetual whirlpool: one of the most beautiful and mesmerizing phenomena in nature.

To the west of the water elements stands a beautiful old Live Oak tree that was carefully protected during the construction of the facility.  A 26' radius curved screen, similar to the screen along the Runnel, forms a semicircular frame on the north side of the tree.  This screen supports 24 perforated stainless steel high-backed chairs.  The shadow of the tree moves across the screen during the course of the day, providing optional places to sit in the sun or shade.  This area provides casual seating as a place where outdoor meetings or lectures can take place.