Monumental “Arlenia” marble fountain with precious metals
The project “Arlenia” is an extraordinary artistic marble waterfall fountain on 6 levels with exclusive light and water games realized for the main entrance of a private villa in Caesarea in Israel. In order to obtain the best technical, structural and artistic result, we have carefully supervised the project for many months. The most representative element is the sculpture of the mythological Atlas that hides inside the supporting structure and the electrical and hydraulic system.
Arlenia fountain with light and water games
Arlenia marble fountain – Arte 2000 work
Marble: Rosso Imperiale, Grigio Carnico, Bianco Carrara, Bianco Thassos, Breccia Medicea
Additional materials: galvanized steel structure, gold and bronze sculptures
Dimensions: diameter 8 meters and height 7 meters
Customer: Impresa Marshanski Group
Artistic project: Architect Armando Albeldas
Location: private residence in Caesarea – Israele
Arlenia fountain with light and water games
Challenges and relevant phases
Atlante
Atlante sculpture for the Arlenia marble fountain – Arte 2000 work
Atlante has a height of 2,5 meters and it has been the most complex challenge of the whole project. ( case-history).
Environmental conditions
The particular environmental conditions of Caesarea, situated close to the sea, have been an extraordinary aspect to manage in the planning phase. After a careful analysis, we have solved several problems to preserve the functionality and quality of the work over time:
- the scarcity of rain makes the natural supply of water difficult. In order to have the quantity necessary to realize the various games, we have prepared a large underground compartment to use as a tank for collection;
Underground tank for the water, Arlenia marble fountain
- the soil is sandy in nature so any above buildings cause important settlements. It was necessary to lighten as much as possible the central body of the fountain. The intermediate tank has a diameter of 2 meters and was created with an internal steel structure covered with marble. The same tank entirely made of marble, would have had a weight of several tons;
- the aggression of the atmospheric agents due to the salt and the sand carried by the wind causes very high risks of corrosion and abrasion. We have applied special protective products on the surface of the bronze elements and in order to hood the complete fountain during periods of non-use, we have created a protective cloth of about 80 square meters, made of ultra-resistant fabric.
Light and water games
Arlenia marble fountain – Arte 2000 work
Arlenia fountain with light and water games
The fountain has spectacular, exclusive and unique light and water games. In order to guarantee an amazing and harmonious scenic result, we designed a sophisticated hydraulic and electrical system. Beyond the difficulty of getting everything through Atlante, it was crucial:
- to accurately calculate the dimensions and inclinations of the holes for the outlet of the exact volume of water;
- to arrange and point the lights correctly.
The structure is controlled by a computerized system that varies the water games and the colours of the lights to the rhythm of music, according to the song chosen.
Arlenia fountain with light and water games
Combination of veined and precious marbles
Arlenia marble fountain project
The complete fountain is made by the combination of a large quantity of different marble elements, materials and functions. The floor tank, for example, is composed of a structure, in waterproofed reinforced concrete, covered with 6 types of marble; we have then worked by hand 400 customized elements in order to achieve a harmonious result with a strong contrast of shapes and colours.
Arlenia fountain
Bronze sculptures
Arlenia marble fountain – Arte 2000 work
For the first time in thirty years of activity we have also take the risk to combine marble sculptures and bronze artifacts. We have commissioned the latter to artisan workshops of our territory, in order to personally follow the progress of the work. We have also known this world. Because of the delivery time constraint of the complete fountain, it was necessary to optimize each phase in order to fit in our manufacturing times to the delivery times of the bronzes. Some elements were covered with a very fine layer of gold with the “gold leaf” technique, while others were hot-dip galvanised. During the melting, the size reduction factor is not precisely calculable, so many marble elements were finished and adapted after the bronzes were given to us, trying to handle as little as possible so not to ruin them. For example, the panels for the bas-reliefs of the “4 prisons” that hold the tank up, were adjustable in site.
Installation
The quality of assembly and installation are important to ensure the best result.
Atlante sculpture on the top of Arlenia marble fountain – Arte 2000 work
In order to avoid the risk of compromising the entire work, we have minimized the operations to be carried out on site, making the partial assembly and the pre-testing in our workshop. Our experienced technician has then directed the installation work and personally intervened in the most delicate phases.
This monumental fountain was a great challenge in every aspect, but with great satisfaction we won!
For an American customer we have created the prestigious fountain “Priddy Fountain” which was installed in the public square of Highland Park in Dallas, Texas. It is a monumental work dedicated to Ashley Horne Priddy who won the landscape award “Planet Grand Award“. (case-history)
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