WaterShapes

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

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PHOTO OF CHAND BAORI COURTESY VICTORIA LAUTMAN, LOS ANGELES
PHOTO COURTESY JULIET WOOD DESIGN, ATLANTA, GA.
PHOTO COURTESY OUTSIDE THE LINES, ANAHEIM, CALIF.
PHOTO COURTESY RYAN HUGHES DESIGN|BUILD, TAMPA, FLA.
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PHOTO COURTESY LIQUID DESIGNZ, WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP, N.J.
PHOTO COURTESY STUDIO JUNGLES, MIAMI, FLA.

Graceful Reflections

Graceful Reflections: The potency of water’s reflective nature is a component of watershaping that all too often is ignored or left to chance, says renowned environmental artist Anthony Archer Wills. By considering reflectivity from the outset of a project, he is able to use its brilliance and subtlety to make the experience of viewing water a never-ending source of fascination for his clients.

Art of the Angle

This beautiful, ultra-contemporary southern California project featured a number of shapely features designed to harmonize with the home’s architecture. For Kevin Cobabe, it was an opportunity to apply his skills as a design-facing builder who can handle complicated equipment sets as well as the fine artistic touches.

The Grass Menagerie

Despite water usage concerns, grass remains a mainstay in both commercial and residential landscapes. Working with grass, explains Mike Logsdon, usually requires some level of moderation and a knack for knowing how to ply the multitudinous types of grasses for the greatest effect, based on client expectations and anticipated grassy needs.

Detail: A825

Tectonics is defined as the science or art of assembling, shaping, or ornamenting materials in construction; the constructive arts in general. David Peterson often uses the term tectonics while discussing the numerous finish details he and his team have created over the years. Detail A825 is one tectonic solution for a stainless steel vanishing edge.

Diving into a Dream

There’s something liberating about jumping from a high perch then plunging into pristine waters below, a thrill that’s as old as humankind, says Anthony Archer Wills. That’s the dream a recent client wanted for herself and family, a sensation he was all too happy to create in the form of a unique “diving pond.”

Detail: A171 (One Step Closer)

Vertical dimensions in floating steps can be critical to walking safety. In our last Beneath the Surface Detail, we coordinated the human stride to basic step geometry in a plan view, now Dave Peterson takes it one step further and looks at this detail from a different angle: an elevation view.

Battle for the Grandkids

While fun has always been a big part of watershaping, there’s a relatively recent generational twist to it, explains Scott Cohen, it’s one being driven by grandparents who are taking a competitive approach to motivating their kids’ kids to spend time with the old folks.

Fins of the Father

Unbeknownst to many, one of our nation’s Founding Fathers, Benjamin Franklin, was arguably also our “founding” swimming enthusiast. Along with helping us win our freedom and establish the nation’s system of government, Franklin had quite a lot to say about the value of swimming – along the way, he even invented swim fins.

Eyes on Sites

Watershape University launched its 2021 online educational offerings with a detailed primer on site evaluation and surveying in a January Wolfpack Webinar Wednesdays presentation. Taught by Rob Warren, a member of the International Watershaping Institute, the presentation covered what watershapers should keep in mind when gathering key site-based information.

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Pool Design as Art Form

‘It’s unlikely anyone back in 1992 would have imagined that the daughter of fashion designer Calvin Klein would change the way we think of swimming pools,’ writes WaterShapes book reviewer Mike Farley. Still, Farley insists that the book Pools by Kelly Klein, first published nearly two decades ago, truly was a game-changer.

Mountain's Majesty

A detour on a long road trip through the western United States carried Jim McCloskey to Colorado Springs, Colo. -- just the place to see a watershape that had been on his bucket list for years. It's a bold, spectacular fountain, well worth a visit if you find yourself in the vicinity.

New Products at Watershapes.com

Pentair Offers BioShield UV

Pool/Spa Systems & Equipment
Product information from Pentair about its BioShield UV system.

Pool/Spa Systems & Equipment
Description of Thursday Pools' shallow lounging area.

Fontana Forni Makes Countertop Pizza Ovens

Outdoor Living Systems & Accessories
Information about Fontana Forni's countertop pizza ovens.

Fountain Systems & Equipment
Product information from Hayward about its ColorLogic Bubbler.

Landscape Glass from American Specialty Glass

Landscape/Hardscape Materials & Equipment
A look at American Specialty Glass' colorful landscape glass.

Outdoor Living Systems & Accessories
Information about Grand Effects' Fire Candeleres

I am NOT the Walrus

WaterShapes World (blog)
During the chill of winter, when most pools are closed and covered, and many natural bodies of water iced over, some intrepid souls brave the cold and take the plunge anyway. It’s a form of discomfort, they say, that comes with significant benefits not found in warmer temps.