— comment by
nils
on
June 12th, 2008
at
10:24amJST(16 years, 4 months ago)
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I kind of agree with Sean Phillips . Looks like it should seperate water fom a heavier solid. The small vertical pipes drain the water and suspended particules while heavy stuff slide along the main drain.
— comment by
Richard in Montreal
on
June 12th, 2008
at
3:57pmJST(16 years, 4 months ago)
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I have to disagree with your hint. Now that you’ve revealed the answer, I do believe that thing is a lot more ornamental than it is practical! I mean, it does provide a service. But, at what cost? It’s not the least bit practical. But it is pretty. And, very cool.
No one says that something practical can’t be ornamental, but it serves its practical purpose to a much wider audience – anyone that can see it – than for those that it’s the least bit ornamental (those within spitting distance who can see how it’s made). Once you get close, though, it’s more interesting than ornamental. It’s not really very ornamental, frankly. Interesting, yes, but not so ornamental. —Jeffrey
— comment by
Joanna
on
June 13th, 2008
at
3:23pmJST(16 years, 4 months ago)
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It looks like a downcomer on a clarifier at a water treatment plant. Or something like that.
Solar powered heater system for water… 😀
A fountain. But “practical” ,so it’s a sprinkler.
Since some of the pipes have lost their shape, indicating hot water flow,
I guess it is something to do with hot water spring
Can I guess? I’m guessing a purifier or something for a fish tank?
Some sort of radiator (s)
The heating element from a coffee pot?
I kind of agree with Sean Phillips . Looks like it should seperate water fom a heavier solid. The small vertical pipes drain the water and suspended particules while heavy stuff slide along the main drain.
The answer is given on this post about the main train station in Kanazawa, Japan —Jeffrey
I have to disagree with your hint. Now that you’ve revealed the answer, I do believe that thing is a lot more ornamental than it is practical! I mean, it does provide a service. But, at what cost? It’s not the least bit practical. But it is pretty. And, very cool.
No one says that something practical can’t be ornamental, but it serves its practical purpose to a much wider audience – anyone that can see it – than for those that it’s the least bit ornamental (those within spitting distance who can see how it’s made). Once you get close, though, it’s more interesting than ornamental. It’s not really very ornamental, frankly. Interesting, yes, but not so ornamental. —Jeffrey