Cloward H2O, an expert in aquatic design, has created interactive splash pads for the cities of Bountiful and Millcreek in Utah, US.
Both projects deploy a 'Faux DMX (Digital Multiplex)' approach to provide an accessible, cost-effective alternative to the traditional DMX systems often used in premium light and water shows.
DMX systems control numerous show features, such as the movement, timing, and intensity of water jets and lights, enabling precise synchronisation across music and other sensory experiences. However, professional DMX systems can be cost-prohibitive for many operators to install and maintain.
In contrast, Faux DMX, a term coined by Cloward H2O, delivers variable, show-like fountain effects better suited to smaller-scale installations. For example, simpler technologies such as timers and basic control systems can create similar, random sequences and movements of water jets.
Cloward H2O has successfully delivered four splash pads in Utah, USImage courtesy of Cloward H2O
The company used this approach to build a dynamic splash pad for Bountiful’s new outdoor recreation development, alongside a parallel interactive feature in Millcreek.
Dan Aldred, project manager at Cloward H2O, says of the Millcreek project: "It's always a pleasure to do work close to home. This is the fourth splash pad Cloward H2O has completed in Utah, and seeing families enjoy these spaces makes all the hard work worthwhile."
Ambitious water features
When planning an interactive splash pad fountain for its new outdoor recreation development, Bountiful wanted to commission a feature that looked and functioned like a high-end DMX fountain but fit within budget.
To meet this need, Cloward H2O developed a Faux DMX solution that randomly activates the water jets using a series of timers connected to individual valves. This reproduced the dynamic, choreographed effects seen in DMX systems without the associated costs.
The Cloward H2O designed splash pad and water feature at Bountiful in UtahImage courtesy of Cloward H2O
For Millcreek, Cloward H2O contributed to the creation of the City Center Master Plan and resulting Millcreek Common development.
The plan, approved in early 2019, outlined the need for a walkable hub in the centre of the city, including municipally owned properties for public use, with a unique design and a cultural and artistic emphasis.
Dubbed Millcreek Common, it features a plaza with the new Millcreek City Hall site, retail spaces, Utah's largest skating rink, and a splash pad with an interactive water feature.
The plaza was followed by mixed-use developments, an outdoor amphitheatre, and landscaping, totalling approximately 100 acres.
Engineering & integration
Aquatic engineering spans hydraulic design, filtration, water quality control, and mechanical systems, and supports the control systems that bring Faux DMX installations to life.
The hydraulic system manages water flow, pressure, and direction and must account for factors such as wind resistance and evaporation rates to deliver the desired jet height, speed, and pattern. It is key to Faux DMX designs, where precise control is crucial for synchronising jets.
Water quality is also crucial for splash pads, where visitors are in direct contact with the water. Filtration systems and techniques, such as UV sterilisation, ozone treatment, and automated chemical dosing, remove debris and contaminants, ensuring safe, clean water while preserving the design aesthetic.
Additionally, mechanical components, including pumps, valves, and actuators, control water movement. To meet the needs of Faux DMX systems, these must be reliable and responsive, with close synchronisation between mechanical and digital components requiring careful calibration, testing, and maintenance.
Faux DMX design enables the integration of LED lighting and sounds systemsImage courtesy of Cloward H2O
Another facet of Faux DMX design is the integration of lighting and sound systems, which transforms fountains and splash pads into multimedia spectacles.
RGB LED lighting is often used to create a broad range of colours that can change in sync with the water jets, enhancing the visual experience with effects such as cascading rainbows or thematic lighting.
Sound systems can also be synchronised, enabling water jets to move in time with the music for visually stunning, multisensory performances.
Beyond integration options, Faux DMX technology offers opportunities for interactivity, particularly in splash pads where water can respond to guests' presence and actions. Sensors, such as motion detectors or infrared beams, can trigger water jets based on movement, creating a captivating, fun environment.
Smartphone apps can let guests control various aspects of the water display, such as choosing water patterns, adjusting jet heights, or changing light colours. This personalisation makes each visit to the fountain or splash pad a unique experience.
Making high-end spectacle accessible
Faux DMX design is a cutting-edge approach to creating water features that offers a cost-effective alternative to traditional DMX systems and gives developers greater flexibility.
By simulating advanced effects with simple timers and mechanical controls, it allows communities to enjoy interactive, visually appealing water features that might otherwise be unachievable.
"Through the integration of art, engineering, and community engagement, these projects are more than just infrastructure—they are investments in the social fabric of their communities, enhancing quality of life and fostering a sense of place," says Cloward H2O.
"As technology and design continue to evolve, the possibilities for Faux DMX and other innovative water feature designs will only expand, offering ever more imaginative ways to enrich public spaces with the beauty and wonder of water."
Recently, Cloward H2O provided an in-depth analysis of the key ozone system components, equipment specifications, and controls needed to deliver optimised, efficient, low-maintenance performance.
