WaterShapes

The web site for all professionals and consumers who've made or want to make water a part of their lives

Gold Sponsors

Photo courtesy Selective Designs, Atlanta, Ga.
Photo courtesy Crystal Fountains, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Photo courtesy Laughing Waters, Palos Heights, Ill.
Photo courtesy Aquatic Consultants, Miami, Fla.
Photo courtesy Colorado Hardscapes, Denver, Colo.
Photo courtesy New Leaf Landscape, Agoura Hills, Calif.
Photo courtesy Drakeley Pool Co., Bethlehem, Conn.
Photo courtesy Mystic Water Gardens, Encino, Calif.

Aquamatic Most Durable Covers 728 x 90 2015

Forms of Fun

As the popularity of interactive watershapes continues to grow, more and more architects, aquatic designers, home and resort developers, city officials and others are recognizing their value to communities. Indeed, says Stephen Hamelin, founder of Vortex Aquatic Structures, working with these exciting manifestations of aquatic fun is a positive experience at every level, especially given the opportunities they offer to help children learn through play.

Peninsular Charm

Working atop a rocky prominence through a harsh winter on a short schedule? It was enough to make Kurt Kraisinger take a unique approach to the project, drawing support from near and far to get things done -- from extensive site preparation through t

Progress Report

The old pond had been around for years, but it had never been anything special. Revising it with a jolt of visual energy was a big job, reports Mike Gannon -- and as this video demonstrates, reflects today's practices while showing how far he and pondcra

Flowing in Light

It's a challenge designers and builders face every time they work with raised spas, waterfalls, grottoes or vanishing edges: Saving the best for last, Graham Orme completes his four-part series on underwater-lighting techniques by focusing here on variou

Public Pursuits

Adding three big waterfeatures to a prominent Philadelphia streetscape was a logistical challenge, reports Robert Nonemaker, as was being among the smallest players in a high-stakes project. Handling the pressure took patience -- and a self-reliant appro

Assessing a Masterpiece

Just visiting Hearst Castle's Neptune Pool is awe-inspiring. But being asked to evaluate its condition and make recommendations toward its rehabilitation? That, says William Rowley, was like a waking dream -- and a major recent milestone in his long, di

Koi Courtyard

Lined with shimmering Travertine, the formal courtyard needed some softening. What could be better, thought Colleen Holmes, than adding a sonorous waterfall along with a crisp, rectilinear pond -- and then livening it all up with the flashing colors of mood-altering fish?

Mastering the Greens

Creating watershapes and landscapes that are natural in appearance is always a challenge, says Ken Alperstein of Pinnacle Design, a firm that specializes in high-end projects related to top-flight golf courses. For this project in Shady Canyon, however, the ante was upped considerably by the site’s location in an environmentally sensitive coastal canyon in southern California – a design challenge intensified by regulatory scrutiny every step of the way.

On the Dry Side

As water resources become more and more precious, xeriscaping is regaining popularity in many parts of the country, says landscape designer Rick Laughlin of Salt Lake City. In fact, his practice is increasingly about water-wise plantings and finding ways to create unique, beautiful and ecologically friendly landscapes arrayed with drought-tolerant plants.

We Can Do Better

Back in May 2003, Brian Van Bower went off on a behavior that particularly bothered him in some of his industry colleagues -- and pointed out that there were (and still are!) simple ways to get things right.

Encircled Perfection

Philadelphia's Logan Circle boasts a spectacular fountain with a storied pedigree -- a fitting addition, says Jim McCloskey, to a promenade of museums.

When It Rains

Putting rainwater to the best possible use. Book Notes includes reviews of a wide variety of publications hand-selected by a professional watershaper/landscape designer who sees their relevance in his life and work.

CRYSTAL FOUNTAINS VIDEO SHOWCASE

Click 'play' to watch the current showcase video

New Products at Watershapes.com

Prozone’s Compressor-Driven Ozonators

Pool/Spa Systems & Equipment
Product information from Prozone on its PZ2-1 and PZ2-2 compressor-driven ozone generators for commercial pools and spas.

Focus Industries Debuts SL-11-LEDM Lights

Fountain Systems & Equipment
Product information from Focus Industries on its Model SL-11-LEDM submersible lighting fixtures for fountain and pond applications.

Intermatic Introduces Electronic Valve Actuator

Pool/Spa Systems & Equipment
Product information from Intermatic on its ReadySet Electronic Valve Actuators for pool/spa applications.

D&D Technologies Offers Self-Closing Hinges

Outdoor Living Systems & Accessories
Product information from D&D Technologies on TruClose Regular -- Standard self-closing gate hinges.

Outdoor Living/Fire Features/Amenities/Lighting
Information on its digital catalog from Fesfoc Disseny, a manufacturer of outdoor kitchen fixtures and accessories

Fountain Systems & Equipment
Product information from Water Tech on the Volt FX-2, a vacuum system scaled to clean fountains and small waterfeatures

Water Wonders

WaterShapes World (blog)
His eyes light up when he sees cool articles having to do with watershapes or water in general. In recent weeks, Jim McCloskey was inspired enough by two such items -- one on a commercial pool complex, the other on water itself -- that he felt obliged to