One hundred years after the first Australian Parliament met in Melbourne, the University of Technology Sydney has celebrated the occasion with the inauguration of a specially designed fountain.

The Federation Fountain's unusual design - two sheets of frosted glass etched with words from the Australian Constitution and sprayed by a water jet ­ is the creation of leading architect Luigi Rosselli.

The fountain, located in the courtyard of the Haymarket Campus at UTS, was "switched on" 100 years to the day of the first sitting of Federal Parliament on 9 May 2001.

Dean of the Faculty of Law, Professor David Barker, said it was important for students to have an outside area that is inviting and relaxing ­ a retreat in the city.

And that was exactly the aim of the fountain’s designer.

Mr Rosselli was one of the project team who designed Parliament House in Canberra and was also responsible for the fountain in the forecourt at Parliament House.

"Originally I wanted to use an impact water sprinkler for the water jet ­ it's a popular object in Australian backyards ­ the type that goes flop flop flop. I wanted a familiar sound, which would put students at ease in contrast to the seriousness of the words on the fountain’s 'pages'," he said.

"But when we tested it was a bit noisy so we opted for a non-impact sprinkler."

The idea for the words came from Associate Professor of Law, Rob Watt, and the Director of the UTS 1901 Centre, Dr Helen Irving. The University's Property Development Unit coordinated the construction of the fountain.