WaterWorks, Arizona Falls
PROJECT OVERVIEW
This project addresses the re-use of an old hydropower station on the Arizona Canal. The canals of Phoenix are public utilities providing essential water supply and irrigation. The Generator Room was the site of the generator for the power plant. A new exterior room with 15 cubic feet per second of water is diverted from the canal into two new aqueducts framing each side of the new Water Room. The aqueducts release the water back into the canal on both sides of the Room creating a pair of waterfalls. At the rear of the Room, a water curtain veils the remaining industrial artifacts and water cascades down into a pool, which drains back into the canal. The path leading into the Room takes visitors directly under the waterfalls, and then continues across the island, ramping up among the riparian terraces to a new pedestrian bridge that crosses to the north bank. The Room is a magical space, lined with stonewalls and water, a Generator Room for water sensations, ideas and community energy. Additionally, the project includes the powerhouse with the power platform/dance floor an outdoor classroom, pedestrian walk and shade structures, seating and planting, all designed by the artist.