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By Lara Moffat, MLA, marketing manager, Lambert’s

Incorporating integral lighting into the basin, the water feature beckons residents of the town and inhabitants of the city while remaining architecturally appropriate and respectful of its namesake.

As one of the oldest landscape architectural design/build firms in the nation, Lambert Landscape Company is fortunate to have maintained long-lasting relationships with the communities we work within and our clients. So when our director of design, Paul N. Fields, ASLA, was approached by the donors for a memorial fountain, plaza redesign in the heart of an established urban setting minutes from downtown Dallas, he happily accepted. The challenge included the design, which was provided gratis, and construction as well as the coordination with the town’s council and citizens.

Privately funded yet very public in its location and visibility, many opinions were expressed during the design process; however, the resultant fountain was not compromised. Viewed by the council and residents as the portal to their town, the original fountain was not in keeping with the quality of Highland Park, due in part to inferior porous stone that necessitated constant repair.

Concerns

A major area of concern was the budget. By reusing sections of the original foundation, redirected funds were used for superior stone and tile, which was the main reason for the original fountain’s demise. Another major constraint was time, which we were able to overcome by having built good relationships with artisans and subcontractors.

Architectural Relevance

Acting as a gateway to the Ashley Priddy Memorial Fountain at the Margaret Crow Plaza, contextually unites urban to residential and the design reflects the surrounding architecture, mostly Italian and Romanesque. Consequently, the redesign was based on classical design elements of late Italian Renaissance fountains. It is constructed of Istrian stone with subtle glass tile detailing in similar hue giving it a simple and elegantly cohesive appearance. The stone was selected for endurance as well as color and ability to hold detail when carved.

Like many found in the tight spaces of Italy, this memorial water feature takes advantage of the site’s promontory location. Center stage structurally is a quatrefoil-shaped tiered fountain with lion’s head spouts, and a single crowning jet. The scalloped mid-tier basin with water jets surrounds the simple glass-tiled upper basin. In order to give the 40’ diameter by 18’ tall structure the scale needed, classical urns broaden the base offsetting the height of the central fountain. These urns perched on plinths and filled with seasonal flowers encompass the mid level and provide a nice interplay between architecture, plants and water. The lower basin with its neoclassical panels spills water into the lunette shaped vessels. The juxtaposition of the classical piece to an urban setting brings context to this median plaza. An Italian visitor summed up all our feelings when he drove by, leaned out of his car window and proudly exclaimed to our project manager, “It’s bellisima!”