Custom architectural water features.
Water walls, spillways, bowls, fountains, rills, reflecting basins, and entry monuments — integrated into hardscape, glass, structures, and planting.
Image is design inspiration.
Feature types we design
- Water walls and sheer descents
- Scuppers and spillways
- Water bowls and fire-and-water bowls
- Fountains and jets
- Rills and reflecting basins
- Entry monuments and courtyard focal features
- Commercial-style focal features within AE's verified scope
Materials & detailing
Concrete, stone, tile, copper, steel, glass — paired to the architecture, not pulled from a catalog page. Detailing is where these features succeed or fail visually.
Scale, splash, wind, sound, and water loss
Every architectural water feature is a balance of geometry and physics. We model splash and wind exposure, tune flow for the sound you want, and plan basin sizing and autofill so water loss stays manageable.
Lighting
Submersible, grazing, and downlit options. Lighting is a primary design lever after dark, not a finishing touch.
Mechanical access & maintenance
Pumps, prefilters, valves, and electrical sit in a planned location with cover access. No 'open up the patio to change a pump' scenarios.
Integration with hardscape, glass, structures, and planting
These features work because they are designed with the surrounding pavers, glass railings, ramadas, and planting — not dropped in afterward.
Honest answers.
What counts as an architectural water feature?
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Water walls, sheer descents, scuppers, bowls, fountains, jets, rills, reflecting basins, and entry monuments. The common thread is hardscape integration.
Do these add a lot of water use?
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Less than a full pool or pond, but not zero. Exposed surface and splash matter. We design for control — basin sizing, shielding, and autofill provisions.
Can a water wall go inside a courtyard?
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Yes. Many of these features are designed specifically for entry courtyards and intimate spaces where a full pool or pond would not fit.
How are they serviced?
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Every architectural feature has accessible mechanical and an inspection point. Service access is part of the design, not an afterthought.
Ready to talk it through?
Start with a fit call — or call AE directly at (623) 300-2589.