Design Review Report: Metallic Shi-shi Odoshi Fountain

Coming up with an idea for the main project presented quite a challenge for me in the beginning. Due to the fact that there were so many options and possibilities out there, it was hard to narrow it down to something that was realistic yet interesting. A couple of preliminary ideas that I came up with was to make some sort of fixture that allows water to flow in a consistent and artistic manner. The image below shows some of the ideas I drew inspiration from.

The image above shows another water fixture design we looked at with a Japanese water fountain aesthetic. [1]
Image result for japanese water fountain metal
The image above shows a different type of Japanese water fountain. [2]

Having always been a fan of the simple and natural design of Japanese gardens, I made the final decision to base my project off the Japanese water fountains known as Shi-shi Odoshi or “Deer Scarer.” Growing up, my mom would always have miniature models of these around the house and being able to create one of my own felt very fitting for not only the project but also for myself. Anyways, these fountains are relatively simple because all you need is a water source and a frame to hold a water container. The main function of these fountains is that the container will fill up and tip over when it is full, but then once it empties out again the container will return to its original position. The image below is an example of a Shi-shi Odoshi fountain.

The image shows a Shi-shi Odoshi in a Japanese Garden [3]

In terms of aesthetic that I plan to apply to this project, I found many examples of metal fountains while I was performing research. I really enjoyed the cold, metal look that they had so I decided that rather than using the traditional bamboo, I would use PVC, acrylic, and metallic spray paint to create this metal aesthetic. The main idea here is to maintain the functionality of the fountain while changing the material. The image below is what inspired me to pursue this aesthetic.

The image above shows a fountain made out of metal. The shimmery and cold texture of the metal is what really inspired me to pursue a metallic aesthetic. [4]

As I started the design process for this project I noticed a number of constraints that needed to acknowledged in order for the project to be successful. These included:

First Constraint: Size
The overall size of the project should be fairly small in my opinion. The classic, bamboo water fixture is often associated with a petite and compact size, therefore, in order to fit the aesthetic it should be the same.

Second Constraint: Material/ Resource
Although I plan to make a Shi-shi Odoshi water fountain, I will be using PVC, acrylic and spray paint to create a metallic aesthetic for the project. These may not be difficult materials to obtain, but it is important to find the right sizes and colors for my specific project.

Third Constraint: Location of Setup
This project deals heavily with the flow of water and will therefore need a water source to be properly setup. Creating a built-in water tank is an idea, but in order to keep the project simple we may need to be located close to a sink or some other water source in order for it to function properly

Fourth Constraint: Functionality
I feel that a big part of this aesthetic or more particularly, this Japanese water fountain is the sound of container hitting the ground. The design of the fountain must calculated corrected so that the container will be able to tip over and empty out. For this reason, one of the constraints is that the final project must work. It has to channel water from a source and be able to recycle it so the water can flow constantly.

Fifth Constraint: Aesthetic
As previously stated, the main aesthetic of this project is the style behind Japanese water fountains. The key here is to use minimal but tasteful cuts in plastic and PVC to create a working fountain. The minimalistic approach to the design is then exemplified by the flow of the water and the rhythmic sound that the container will make.

Citation:
[1] https://www.wayfair.com/decor-pillows/sb1/bamboo-fountains-c1869792-a6888~266189.html
[2] https://www.bambooaccents.com
[3] http://ciencies.info/japanese-water-fountain/water-fountain-made-from-metal-pipes-stock-photo-japanese-womans-head/
[4] https://www.alamy.com/japanese-water-fountain-image282329982.html

Presentation Video:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1yFLlo-EeKqV8XrY1_Likjn9i9syOBpFd/view?usp=sharing

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8 Comments. Leave new

  • Abdulaziz Alrashed
    March 18, 2019 1:52 pm

    it’s a fascinating idea. you have a solid outline of what you need to do and what obsticles you will be facing. if you are using PVC and acrylic then the mass difference compared to a traditional bamboo might effect the dynamics.

    Reply
  • Jordan Nahabetian
    March 15, 2019 1:48 pm

    I really like this idea. Consider the placement of your product. Will you put it outside?

    Reply
  • Alexis Nibbelink
    March 15, 2019 1:36 pm

    I like the modern aesthetic. I really hope the functionality turns out well. Well done on your prototype, I can really see what what your going for in this project.

    Reply
  • Hey Evan, I like that you drew upon a different culture for your project! It seems like this project has a great deal to do with the aesthetic portion of design. Perhaps it has more to do with aesthetics than functionality, however it is certainly still dynamic! You found a project that really requires both, so good work.

    Reply
  • Andrew Oliver
    March 15, 2019 1:15 pm

    Hello Evan, I really like your project. You could probably laser cut or 3D print some of your materials to apply your aesthetic more easily. Great job!

    Reply
  • Tanner Wismer
    March 15, 2019 1:13 pm

    This is a pretty interesting idea. It seems like you have a good idea and sense of this project and what you need to do for it. Do you have an idea for how big you want the final product to be?

    Reply
  • Abdulrahman Alnoaim
    March 15, 2019 1:13 pm

    Evan,
    You did a really nice job on presenting your project idea. I am wondering if using acrylic will have any effects on the functionality of the fountain.

    Reply
  • Chris Mcfadden
    March 15, 2019 1:13 pm

    Really interesting to learn that they are meant to be scare crows/deer. Wouldn’t have guessed that. I also like that you are going for more of a modern aesthetic.

    Reply

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