It may go without saying that humans—and all living things—are drawn to water. This attraction goes far beyond its essential role to keep our bodies functioning (see: universal solvent, cell structures, body temperature regulator, joint lubricant, nutrient transport, organ protector, and more) [1]. While staying hydrated is crucial, humans simply have an enduring affinity for being near water. Throughout history, civilizations have flourished along bodies of water, be it an ocean, a river, or a lake. In Dallas, the Trinity River drew indigenous peoples, colonial explorers, and steamboats [2] to the water's edge, playing a central role in shaping the region’s development.
Research has shown that being near water has significant psychological and physiological benefits. Studies in environmental psychology suggest that water environments reduce stress, lower blood pressure, and improve overall mood. The rhythmic sounds of flowing water promote relaxation by activating the parasympathetic nervous system, which helps reduce anxiety and enhance mental clarity. [3]
Additionally, negative ions generated by moving water can improve air quality and increase serotonin levels, contributing to a heightened sense of well-being. Proximity to water has also been linked to improved cognitive function, better sleep quality, and enhanced creativity. [4]
Water features are ubiquitous in landscape architecture projects, often incorporated intuitively for their visual and health benefits. And while they do require a commitment to maintenance, water features activate space with movement, reflection, sparkle, and sound, becoming magnets for play and contemplation, alike.
Water as Sound and Movement at Midcentury Creekside
Turtle Creek flows quietly behind this urban garden.
While Turtle Creek meanders gently along the edge of this Highland Park property, the moving water that eventually makes its way into the Trinity River does not really burble or babble or even really trickle. The challenge? Introducing the soothing sound of moving water into the urban garden.
The solution: a custom-designed water feature made from board form concrete and constructed over a vault. As water flows over the surface of the concrete and into the vault, the echoing of water falling into the basin creates a sound of rushing water, mimicking the trickle of a flowing creek.
The feature also serves as a spatial divider within the terraced landscape, helping to define distinct outdoor rooms. “You can sit right by the water feature and up a few steps is a fire feature” says principal and designer, Amy Bartell.
Most sophisticated gardens feature water elements. While they require maintenance, their ever-changing movement makes them an enduring focal point.
For this feature, maintenance is kept to a minimum. Water continuously flows over the edge of the concrete, ensuring leaves or debris don't collect. Gravel around the base of the concrete collects the detritus, with water flowing through down to the vault below. And because the water is moving all the time, there is no concern about mosquitoes.
The custom water feature was formed and poured on-site.
Water as Art and Light in North Dallas
Historically, water features have been designed to inspire tranquility. At this North Dallas residence, water not only fosters a sense of calm but also enhances the client’s extensive art collection, integrating seamlessly with sculptures and architectural elements.
In one terrace, a cascading water wall transforms a once-static space into a multisensory experience. The roar of the water, amplified by courtyard walls, fills the air while a Buddha statue and a Japanese maple create a vignette for contemplation. A discreet spotlight illuminates the falling droplets, casting a mesmerizing play of shadows and movement.
The mechanics behind this feature are as thoughtfully designed as its aesthetic impact. Water is piped up through a freestanding wall faced in textured tile, with a shelf at the top to distribute the water.The result is a continuous, dynamic surface that enhances both sight and sound.
The Buddha statue came from the client’s personal art collections and travels through Asia.
Just across an interior hallway, another sculpture is showcased in a still reflecting pool. Elevated on a floating pedestal, the piece is framed by a Shoji screen behind it. Subtle lighting installed within the reflecting pool casts a soft glow onto the sculpture, giving movement and refraction on the screen and art piece.
water as connection to nature in san antonio
The existing creek bed was little more than stacked rocks below a silt pond.
While some water features are designed to bring movement and tranquility to intimate garden spaces, others serve a greater ecological purpose—while also carrying deep personal significance. At this northern San Antonio residence, water is both a dynamic force in the landscape and a bridge to memory. During heavy Central Texas rains, an ephemeral creek bed channels rushing water across the property, separating the house from the road. When the pond at the north end of the site overflows, a rocky channel directs stormwater downstream. Yet, challenges with the existing pond led the owners to seek a more permanent body of water—one that would not only function within the landscape but also create a meaningful connection for their family.
Water is often intertwinded with memory. For many Texans, the spring-fed creeks and streams symbolize salvation from scorching Texas summers. For this client, water holds the nostalgia of growing up on a ranch, where a low-water crossing meant a flooded driveway— and a day when he didn't have to go to school.
A low water crossing. A rocky, flowing stream. A gravel driveway. These elements create a sequence of experiences that evoke a sense of place. The feeling of being in the Hill Country, driving down a dirt road, crossing a creek that sometimes trickles and sometimes roars, and finally, arriving home.
Now, this memory of place is being passed on to future generations. For a family living in the Texas Hill Country, water is more than a feature—it is a fundamental, year-round connection to nature. The clients wanted their kids to spend their days outdoors, playing in the water and exploring the natural world.
The gravel used gives the water a turquoise cast.
To create a meandering, creek-like feel, the design repurposed an existing pond and piping, then replaced stonework and added a lining to the channel so it could reliably hold water.
Water flows in from two sources at the top of the creek: stormwater runoff and a well. These feed into a silt pond that filters debris before cascading through a series of terraces, passing under a low-water crossing, and emptying into the main pond. A dam at the bottom of the pond regulates overflow and maintains water flowing through the naturally existing creek bed. The liner and gravel lend a greenish cast to the water, mimicking the shade of water in Hill Country creeks.
Surrounding the creek, mature oaks provide cooling shade over the water and are strung with firefly lights that twinkle at night. Native Hill Country plants integrate seamlessly into the landscape, reinforcing the naturalistic feel of the water feature. In every season, this thoughtfully designed waterway enriches the land, deepens the family’s bond with nature, and keeps a cherished Texas tradition alive.
Whether designed for movement, sound, or reflection, water features elevate residential landscapes, offering both aesthetic and sensory rewards. With thoughtful design and strategic placement, they become more than decorative elements—they shape space, enhance experiences, and deepen our connection to the natural world.
