A fountain, as an architectural element of an urban or domestic space, is a hydraulic device composed of pipes, taps or water fountains, and one or more pylons, basins or ponds. It can have a utilitarian, environmental or decorative use.[1]​ They are common in patios, gardens, squares, or in unique places in the city, beautifying them and highlighting their importance.[2]​.

The fountain originally comes from the use of the pilón (water fall). In the beginning, the fountains were found in the squares or central places of the towns to supply water to the inhabitants and quench the thirst of their animals. They used to be meeting places that fostered social relations in the community.

The first reference to one of them is found in an Italian krater from the middle of the century BC. C. in which a woman can be seen next to a fountain basin, shaped like a concave plate supported by a fluted column with a double circular base. Another of the first sources is recorded carved in stone in Tello (Babylon) 300 years BC. C.[3]​.

In the Middle Ages, Islamic culture created beautiful examples of fountains in private buildings and public areas, such as palaces, patios, gardens, squares and mosques, combining utility with beauty, these also serving to acclimatize the aforementioned spaces.

In Europe, Renaissance artists and architects showed their ingenuity and skill in beautiful fountain designs, both public and private, culminating in the motley sculptural ensembles of Baroque fountains.

With the advancement of technology, the sources included closed water circuits, which are propelled by pressure pumps; Lighting effects were also designed to make the appearance of the water even more attractive at night.

A modern type of fountain is water screens, which offer a projection surface in places where traditional screens cannot be installed. These water screens are used as a projection support for different media such as "high power video", laser and others. They can only be used for outdoor events in a floating system or in an existing reservoir or set up by specialized companies. Made up of millions of drops of water, the water screen offers a unique spectacle with no apparent structure. An example of this is the artificial Lake of Concordia, next to the Ignacio Zaragoza Olympic Stadium in Puebla, Mexico.