2017/10.2, October 18 — Mansion Memories, Lighting Dynamics, Fountain Miscue and more

THE ESSENTIAL E-NEWSLETTER FOR WATERSHAPE DESIGNERS, ENGINEERS AND BUILDERS

October 18, 2017 www.watershapes.com

IN MEMORIAM

The Birth of a Dream

The recent passing of Hugh Hefner leads us to revisit a project so remarkable for its time that it’s difficult to imagine the existence of whole classes of modern pools without its abundant innovations.

It also offers us the opportunity to remember the pool’s designers,RonandSuzanne Dirsmith. They’ve both passed away, too, Ron in September 2016 and Suzanne, his partner of 62 years, last January. But they live on through their work for Mr. Hefner and for numerous other clients who benefited from their talent, insight, creativity and dedication to Frank Lloyd Wright’s principles of organic architecture.

May they rest in peace. For now, however, let’s celebrate their legacy by taking another look at the Dirsmiths’ account of their Playboy Mansion project by clickinghere.

POOLS AFTER DARK

Looking at Lighting

Recent advances in light-emitting-diode technology have changed the nature of the pool-lighting task, notesGraham Orme. To explore this expanding range of illuminating possibilities, he begins here by defining the dynamics of lighting some familiar contours in all-new ways. [more]

TRAVELOGUE

The Unheard Music

A chance encounter with a fountain he spotted on his way out of New Orleans last year ledJim McCloskeyto consider the importance of what seemed to be missing from an otherwise impressive celebration of parades, Mardi Gras and the Crescent City’s unique cultural heritage. [more]

ESSENTIAL

Wings on the Water

There’s much more to a birdbath than one might think, saysBill Fintel, an expert in the art of setting up small bodies of water to attract our feathered friends. For many years, in fact, he has studied the way birds act around water and has made a career of applying what he knows to creating avian watershapes that have what it takes to satisfy a winged clientele — and delight homeowners who are passionate about their backyard ornithology.

This article, originally published inWaterShapesin July 2003, has been digitized for all readers. Clickhereto see the full text and enlarge the images to study them in detail.

TECHNICAL BRIEFING

Mastering Outdoor Fire Features

The popularity ofoutdoor fireplaces has increased dramatically in recent years. Here,Scott Cohencovers key issues related to producing them successfully and safely, discussing materials, heat transmission, smoke direction and proper oxygen draw along the way. [more]

WATERSHAPES WORLD

Please Stop By!

It’s nearly time for the International Pool|Spa|Patio Expo —Jim McCloskey‘s annual opportunity to get your feedback at first hand while completing a couple of crucial missions for WaterShapes.com. As always, that includes talking with you about a very important topic! [more]

WE BROWSE SO YOU DON’T HAVE TO . . .

Top-Down Fun Dept.:An overly enthusiastic Brit carpets an old BMW and turns it into a rolling hot tub.[more]

Sloshing is a fun factor, as is drowning the barbecue.

Non-Fair Weather Dept.:A waterspout touches down on a Greek pool, turning umbrellas into flying saucers.[more]

The wispy funnel was scary enough — but look out below!

WATERSHAPES CLASSIC

Learning to Say ‘No’

Back in the glory days of 2007,Bruce Zaretskyexpressed the need for watershapers and other design professionals to have the gumption to turn away projects. Ten years later, is that again a possibility? [more]

THE SHOPPING CART

W.R. Meadows Offers Dual-Layer Waterproofing

W.R. Meadows(Hampshire, IL) offers Clay-Tite, a dual-layer waterproofing system consisting of virgin HDPE (20 mil), sodium bentonite and a protective layer consisting of a non-woven polypropylene. The polypropylene protects the bentonite during shotcrete application; bentonite’s self-sealing capabilities ensure puncture protection. For details, clickhere.

Stone Forest’s Ribbed Sphere Fountains

Stone Forest(Santa Fe, NM) produces ribbed sphere fountains in three diameters: 20, 24 and 36 inches. As water flows over the irregular, saw-cut granite surfaces, they create wavy, mesmerizing flow patterns. Installation kits in square and round formats are available for the smaller sizes; the large one requires a custom base. For details, clickhere.

WPN UPDATE

Checking in

on Opportunity

TheWaterShapes Professional Networkwill be on hand in Orlando from November 1-3 at the International Pool|Spa|Patio Expo. Please do stop by Booth 857 — right in the heart of the Genesis Pavilion — to learn more about theNetworkand discuss its future plans.

Participants in the program have shared their listings with thousands of the consumer-oriented site’s visitors in the past year — and those encounters have resulted in significant traffic from theNetworkto the listed companies’ own web sites. It’s a marvelous marketing opportunity — inexpensive and ‘consumer-friendly’ in the richest sense of the term.

TheNetworkis working just the way we’d hoped: Time toclickaboard?