WaterWorks, Arizona Falls

PROJECT OVERVIEW

Title: WaterWorks, Arizona Falls
Photo Credit:
Lead Artist(s):

Description:

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.

PROJECT LOCATION

Park
G.R. Herberger Park
56th Street and Indian School Rd.
Phoenix, AZ 85018
United States

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PROJECT TEAM

Phoenix Office of Arts and Culture
Greg Esser
Phoenix Arts Commission
Steve Martino and Associates
PROJECT DETAILS

Permanent
2,000,000
Site integrated architectural work
Concrete/Masonry, Stone
Stone, concrete, steel, water, riparian plants
2003
2004
VIDEOS

Embedded thumbnail for 2004 Public Art Network Year in Review: WaterWorks-Arizona Falls