Steel cylinder may be answer to fountain dilemma

Photo courtesy of Ben Holmes NO FENCES HERE: The mock-up of the proposed cylinder sitting in the middle of the Class of 1939 Water Sculpture. The cylinder is designed to prevent people from being injured in the fountain as well as maintain the aesthetic qualities.

By Kurt Esposito
Summer Editor

In late May Ben Holmes was walking through the Purdue Mall when he came upon a 10 foot cylinder being placed in the center of the Class of 1939 Water Sculpture.

"It was huge, looked like a giant muffler or something out of 'Dr. Who'," said Holmes, a site operator for the Purdue University Computing Center.

Holmes saw one of the mock-ups being used by the fountain advisory committee, which was assigned to come up with a solution to the issue brought upon by the administration's announcement to place fences around the sculpture and the Loeb Fountain, located in Founders Park.

Photo Courtesy of Ben Holmes SAFETY MEASURE: A mock-up of the cylinder proposed by the fountain advisory committee. If passed the cylinder would be 10 feet 6 inches tall and 32 inches in diameter. It would be covered with a mirrored-finish, that would reflect different images such the clouds and the buildings in the Purdue Mall.

The committee has proposed to install a 10 foot, six inch stainless steel cylinder on top of the water jet located in the middle of the sculpture. The height matches the height of the outer fins on the fountain. The proposed structure would be covered with a mirror-finish polish that would allow for a constantly changing reflection as people walked by.

"I think it provided the best balance of safety and aesthetic qualities as well as allowing everyone to interact with the fountain," said Andy Philipps, head of the committee.

He said the cylinder prevents anyone from being hit by water as it comes up through the water jet located underneath, which was the cause of most of the injuries. He said people would still be able to interact with the fountain, because water would shoot out from the top of the object.

The water pressure of the fountain would be modified so that the level of the water would always remain above the 10 feet six inches.

He said students may still try to climb over the object but "safety was going to be a concern, no matter what the solution was."

A grate would be placed on top of the cylinder to ensure that no one could climb inside it.

Holmes said, "It looks ridiculous, and I don't think it's a good solution to the dispute."

The cylinder is based on the design by Robert Youngman, who proposed the design as an alternative to building fences around the fountain. Philipps said the only difference is the proposed cylinder is thinner at 32 inches in diameter.

Philipps said when deciding on a solution the committee looked at accident reports and legal issues surrounding the fountain. He said the committee considered other options such as installing the fences, using monitors or leaving the fountains the way they are.

Holmes said it seemed to him that the committee simply chose from several bad ideas.

"The fountains were designed to invite people into the water. Anything, which obstructs that, will look ludicrous," he said.

The proposal still has to be voted upon by the Architecture, Landscape and Development Committee. If passed, it is expected to take three months before the cylinder is in place.

The committee is still in discussions for plans for the Loeb Fountain.

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