From Blueprint to Reality: How Did Huiqi Fountains Create a Landmark Musical Fountain for the Xi'an Olympic Sports Center?

The fountain project at the Xi'an Olympic Sports Center was one of the most detailed commissions Huiqi had ever undertaken. The client set three requirements: the design had to complement the architectural style of the Olympic Sports Center; it had to become a popular photo spot for residents; and it had to operate reliably without any issues during the intense period of use at the National Games.

Taken together, these three conditions mean that this project cannot follow the conventional approach—we cannot simply apply an off-the-shelf solution; we must design it from scratch.

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I. Design Begins with Understanding the City

Xi'an is no ordinary city; if you go into a meeting with a generic proposal, the client will immediately realize you haven't prepared thoroughly.

Early on, the project team undertook a key task: conducting a comprehensive study of the architectural language surrounding the Olympic Sports Center. The modern steel-structured facades of "One Stadium and Two Arenas" feature bold, angular lines and massive volumes. This dictated that the fountain could not be designed in a gentle, garden-style aesthetic; the water patterns had to be dynamic, the lighting had to be layered, and the overall design had to match the imposing presence of these structures.

The final design concept is as follows: the main fountain will reach a height of 20 meters, with a 3D CNC nozzle system creating dynamic water patterns; nighttime lighting will feature cool white and gold as the primary colors, echoing the steel-structured texture of the Olympic Sports Center building.

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II. Three Technical Challenges—None of Which Can Be Compromised On

Issues with the Precision of Water Patterns Synchronized to Music

Musical fountains may seem simple, but creating one that looks truly impressive is very difficult. Water has inertia, so there is a delay between when a control command is issued and when the water jets actually change. If this delay exceeds 0.2 seconds, the naked eye can perceive a mismatch between the water and the music.

This project utilizes a multimedia control system independently developed by Huiqi, which integrates PLC logic control, audio processing, and lighting control into a single system, with synchronization error kept within 0.1 seconds. In conjunction with the variable-frequency drive’s precise regulation of the pump’s speed, the water jet’s height and intensity can be adjusted continuously to follow the rhythm of the music, rather than switching between a few fixed heights.

Water Pattern Arrangement for 3D CNC Nozzles

The nozzles on standard fountains are fixed and can only spray in one direction. Three-dimensional CNC nozzles can swing freely in the X, Y, and Z directions, creating hundreds of dynamic water patterns, such as arches, spirals, and intersecting streams.

The challenge with this type of nozzle lies not in the hardware, but in the programming. Engineers must design the sequence of water patterns for each segment of music frame by frame, much like creating an animation. The programming for this project took nearly three weeks.

Weather Resistance Issues with Equipment in Xi'an During Winter

In Xi'an, winter temperatures can drop below minus ten degrees Celsius, making freeze protection and corrosion prevention for underwater equipment essential considerations. All underwater lights used in this project are IP68-rated waterproof LEDs, with materials and sealing processes designed to meet standards for long-term outdoor submersion—not indoor pool standards. The piping system also features a drainage and insulation design, allowing any accumulated water to be completely drained from the pipes after each operation to prevent freezing and subsequent expansion-induced cracking.

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III. From the Foshan Factory to the Xi'an Site

All pumps, nozzles, and piping are prefabricated and tested at the Foshan production facility. They are made of 304 stainless steel, and each nozzle undergoes an individual spray test before shipment to ensure that the spray pattern and flow rate meet specifications before being packed.

Once on site, the scope of work proved to be greater than expected. The underground layout of the Olympic Sports Center was complex, and the piping network had to be routed around existing structural columns and utility lines, leading to several instances where the plan had to be temporarily adjusted. The project team worked on-site for three months, positioning hundreds of sprinkler heads one by one and inspecting thousands of lines individually.

The final ignition test was a success on the first try.

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IV. Post-Launch Feedback

Following the project’s completion, the facilities underwent intensive use during the National Games and operated stably, with no unplanned outages due to malfunctions. Once the schedule for nighttime performances was finalized, there was a noticeable increase in nighttime foot traffic in the surrounding commercial districts, and the venue has become one of the go-to destinations for both Xi’an residents and out-of-town visitors.

This is one of Huiqi’s flagship projects in the Northwest region. We have previously completed projects with similar specifications at the Wynn Palace in Macau and the Royal Palace in Saudi Arabia. Our accumulated experience in engineering projects across diverse climates and architectural contexts is the fundamental reason why such projects can be successfully implemented.

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