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.

Acting on Vision

Watershaper and landscape designer John Cohen is an artist of unique passion. Fiercely dedicated to his craft, an uncompromising idealist and a self-described rebel, he has the uncanny ability to use his energy to unlock the creative spirit in his clients and sees water as a medium that can be used to transform both environments and lives for the better. Along the way, he satisfies a deep-seated urge to express himself in fresh and compelling ways.

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?

A Steep Achievement

The unique, Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired home had a lot going for it, but it needed a truly daring addition to reach its full potential. William Drakeley was more than ready to meet the need -- despite a steep slope, a tricky stone ledge and a bold, multi-phase approach to construction.

Seeking Engagement

Getting down to cases, Robert Mikula and Simon Gardiner conclude a two-part series by highlighting three great fountains and discussing how planning for multiple layers of community involvement have resulted in their emergence as indispensable urban resou

Shaping with Light

Lighting the various planes, elevations and contours of today's swimming pools is a challenge: It takes familiarity with the capabilities of modern LEDs, notes Graham Orme, but it's also important to think about safety, angles, intensity and the goal of

Native Vision

The watershapes for the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of the American Indian came with a high-minded design mission as well as a significant set of technical challenges. Here, design-team member Dominic Shaw surveys the history of the project, discussing the many details that make the watercourse and wetland area surrounding the newest facility on the Capitol Mall a fitting tribute to those the facility seeks to honor. (Photo by David Lloyd, courtesy EDAW, San Francisco)

Inside Out

A beautiful landscape will always appeal to those privileged enough to walk into and through the exterior space, says Mary Donovan, but from her perspective as both landscape and interior designer, true and full success is achieved only when the views from inside the house and out to the landscape are just as compelling as is the outdoor experience.

Identifying the Issue

Back in April 2008, university-level instructor Mark Holden noted that watershapes are underrepresented on the curriculum for future landscape architects. Is this a gap that still needs addressing?

A Walk in the Park

I first visited Balboa Park when I was eight or nine years old, writes Jim McCloskey. It was part of a family outing to see the famous San Diego Zoo. After a long, hot day among the animals, we unwound a bit in the cooler confines of Balboa Park. I clearly remember the big lily pads in the pond, mainly because they compared so favorably with the stunted, tangled mess of aquatic plants I regularly saw in my next-door neighbor’s small backyard pond.

Seeking Inspiration

Focusing on excellence in uncertain times. 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

A Long, Strange Trip

WaterShapes World (blog)
The occasion of the 20th anniversary of Genesis put Jim McCloskey in mind of the origins of WaterShapes those same 20 years ago -- and prompted meditations on the practical and philosophical links that have kept the two organizations in close contact from