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THE ESSENTIAL E-NEWSLETTER FOR WATERSHAPE DESIGNERS, ENGINEERS AND BUILDERS
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| June 10, 2015 www.watershapes.com |
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DIGITAL DESIGN
Client Tech
In transitioning from hand drawing to digital design, writes Bobby Thomas, it’s essential that you don’t get so caught up in the speed, power, bells and whistles of the technology that you forget why you’re there — that is, to meet the needs of the site and your clients. [more] |
 CASCADE CREATION
Working with massive boulders on steep slopes can be dangerous, says Eric Triplett, which is why he spends so much time managing his staff and, as this video demonstrates, communicating with them in clear terms about job-site safety — first, last and always. [more]
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FEATURE ARTICLE
Doing Our Best, Sustainably
On his job sites, Bruce Zaretsky is always on the lookout for ways he can be a responsible steward of the planet. Thoughtful demolition, recycling, local sourcing, water conservation — they’re now all built into his daily routines as a professional designer and builder. [more]
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ESSENTIAL
Gaining an Edge
Among the most critical considerations in watershape design, says Skip Phillips, is establishing the relationship between the water and the structure that surrounds it. In other words, it’s all about edges — edges that vanish, edges on angles, recessed edges and more. And whether his purpose is to accentuate the edge or make it disappear, the effects he strives for at these boundaries are the true hallmark of his recent work.
This article, originally published in WaterShapes in June 1999, has been digitized for all readers. Click here to see the full text and enlarge the images to study the craftsmanship in detail.
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TRAVELOGUE
Sea of Tranquility
Tucked into a canyon above the Pacific Ocean, the Self-Realization Fellowship Lake Shrine in Los Angeles is an oasis of water, plants and spiritual imagery. For Stephanie Rose, it’s also a favorite place to visit to observe the fine points of plant selection and placement. [more]
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WATERSHAPES WORLD
Media Mastery
Not all that long ago, writes Jim McCloskey, watershapes were utterly starved for media attention and had to pay plenty to get it. Now, however, pools, spas and ponds are all making significant broadcast splashes, offering a once- marginalized industry direct access to consumers. [more]
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WE BROWSE SO YOU DON’T HAVE TO . . .
Wish-Fulfillment Dept.: Heavy rains conjure a waterfall fantasy a bit too real for a few gullible Australians. [more]
It’s a photo prank — but a splendid vision just the same.
Can-Do Dept.: Whatever happened to this sense of style when it came to building public swimming pools? [more] Detroit’s pre-war facilities recall a different world.
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WATERSHAPES CLASSIC
Turkey Revisited
Ten years ago this month, David Tisherman wrote passionately about the value of breaking away from day-to-day routines and, as you’ll see by clicking here, seeking out compelling forms of inspiration.
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Zodiac Pool Systems Releases AquaLink Z4 Controller
Zodiac Pool Systems (Vista, CA) has launched the new Aqualink Z4, a pool/spa control system that brings convenient, easy-to-use automation to up to four circuits and three valve actuators. Easy to install and set up, the units are also iAquaLink compatible, so they can be operated using any smart phone, tablet or web-linked device — or by a wireless remote. For details, click here. LED040 Underwater Lights from Crystal Fountains
Crystal Fountains (Toronto, Ontario, Canada) manufactures the LED040 mid-sized underwater light for use in fountains and other small watershapes. The compact units are available in warm white, cool white and RGB formats, are made with rugged polycarbonate ABS and stainless steel and have internal temperature controls to prevent overheating. For details, click here.
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THE AQUATIC QUIZ
1965 Harvard Swimmers Defeat
2015 Swim Team in Relay Race
Many water-related stories have been in the news of late — including reports connected to the three questions below.
1. When members of the 1965 Harvard men’s swim team recently returned to the prestigious Ivy League school for a 50th reunion, they were pleased to meet with members of the 2015 swim team. In fact, they challenged the current team to a 200-meter relay race — and although the race ended in a “photo finish,” notes gocrimson.com, the oldsters reportedly were victorious! (After watching the video of the event four times, however, your quizmaster can’t see how anyone arrived at that conclusion.) Of course, the young swimmers graciously gave their senior counterparts a head start. How long was it?
| a. 55 seconds |
b. 75 seconds |
c. 95 seconds |
d. 115 seconds |
2. Last month, a brazen prankster named Dan Jarvis disrupted the World Diving Series competition in London when he “ripped off his clothes to reveal skimpy Speedos before taking the plunge from a 10-meter board.” The delay in the event, observes huffingtonpost.co.uk, took even longer because Jarvis accidentally dropped something into the pool. What did he drop?
| a. His jockstrap |
b. His orthodontic retainer |
c. His house keys |
d. His swim goggles |
3. President Jacob Zuma has been found not liable to repay $24 million in public funds used for improvements on a private home he owns. Included in the upgrades were a swimming pool, cattle kraal and chicken run. As nation.com.pk reports, the minister of police — a Zuma appointee — “concluded that the swimming pool was . . . needed to fight any blaze at the mainly thatched compound, while the cattle kraal and chicken run were necessary to prevent the animals tripping motion detectors as they roamed about.” In which country is Jacob Zuma president?
| a. Kenya |
b. Republic of the Congo |
c. Zambia |
d. South Africa |
To find out how many you got right, click here.“
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