Ghanaian Local Aluminum Cast Utensil Forms for Fountain Production

Abstract

In Ghana, movable fountain production has not been industry friendly especially to our local material producing industries in Ghana. Materials like Resin, silicon and fine marble stone which are not traditionally produced materials in Ghana are what most fountains used in Ghana are made of. This has made fountain production and repairs very difficult and expensive. The local material producing industries equally produce strong and good materials and forms that can be effectively employed in fountain production. Applying and repairing fountains produced in these local materials and forms are less costly and easier. For this reason, this study focuses on the forms of locally cast aluminium utensils for the production of fountains. In spite using these utensils for cooking purposes, it was also observed that, they have form that elated to some elemental forms in the production movable fountains. This study aimed at identifying the forms of the Ghanaian aluminum cast utensils suitable for the different parts of a movable water fountain. In this regard, data was collected through observation and interviews of selected stakeholders of the foundries in Tamale and Kumasi which formed the population for the study. In relation to existing fountains the forms were subjected to conceptual analyses which resulted in three concepts. these concepts were further subjected to matrix evaluation based on affordability, attractiveness, sustainability, strength, functionability, lightness of weight, and size. This arrived at a more efficient design. This was further subject to fabrication experimentations in line with the design. The result of this study is a locally cast aluminum utensil water fountain. it is called ‘water fall and cascading’ fountain based on the design and water flow. The study has proven that the forms and functions of these utensils make an ideal fountain that is ecofriendly, safe, less costly and easy to maintain.