Vortex Fountains by William Pye

William Pye designs amazing water sculptures, but his vortex fountains are even more incredible.

One of his most spectacular and largest is the Charybdis, located in Seaham Hall, Sunderland, UK. He named it after the siren Charybdis featured in Homer’s tale. She stole Hercules’ oxen so Zeus struck with a thunderbolt and changed her into a ship-swallowing whirlpool.

The design involves pumping water at high pressure through a transparent acrylic cylinder. A sustained air core vortex forms in the centre. The steps around the fountain are viewing platforms for people to see the mesmerising vortex from above. A high quality filtration system is required to maintain the vortex at its maximum visual impact. Also shown here are some of his other fountains.