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THE ESSENTIAL E-NEWSLETTER FOR WATERSHAPE DESIGNERS, ENGINEERS AND BUILDERS
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| February 22, 2017 www.watershapes.com |
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SUSTAINABLE TRENDS
Water’s Place
We’re all naturally attracted to water, writes Robert Mikula, but with perceptions of its preciousness and scarcity on the rise, it has become increasingly difficult to ensure its inclusion in built environments. Here’s the first of three articles about pathways through the obstacles. [more] |
 FEATURE ARTICLE
Ponds and Ice
Ponds can be gorgeous year ’round, even in winter. But keeping them attractive in truly cold weather involves some preparation, writes Mike Gannon, and a willingness to get active outdoors to keep things on track at a time when being indoors might seem a far better idea! [more]
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TRAVELOGUE
A Tale of Two Admirals
Unexpected encounters with two naval eminences highlighted a trip Jim McCloskey made to Washington, D.C., many years ago — a visit during which he accidentally discovered the calming, mind-clearing potential of the memorial fountain at the heart of Dupont Circle. [more]
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ESSENTIAL
Pond Perfection
There’s no doubt that the ‘pond craze’ spells opportunity for watershapers. But a hot market can be a two-edged sword, observes pond/stream/cascade specialist Rick Anderson, because it draws in many who lack the technical, artistic and philosophical foundations needed to deliver high-quality work. What he suggests here is that it’s time to step back, consider what’s at stake — and take a long look at fundamentals that will help the market flourish.
This article, originally published in WaterShapes in May 2002, has been digitized for all readers. Click here to see the full text and enlarge the images to study them in detail.
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TECHNICAL BRIEFING
Tuning the Sound of Falling Water
Scott Cohen recalls a project in which he created two stone waterfalls flanking a fireplace — visually gorgeous but sounding more or less like a two giants relieving themselves into oversized toilets. He learned a lesson — and found a way to devise a tuneful solution. [more]
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WATERSHAPES WORLD
Trend Tracking
To introduce a series of three significant articles on sustainable water and energy use that begins with this newsletter, Jim McCloskey places all of them in the context of a handful of trends that started emerging more than 40 years ago — and won’t fade anytime soon. [more]
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WE BROWSE SO YOU DON’T HAVE TO . . .
Oddly Damp Dept.: A hot tub-themed amusement park is set to open, complete with water-filled rides. [more]
There’s just one reasonable comment: Only in Japan!
All Wet Dept.: Creative Belgian opens an underwater restaurant you need scuba gear to reach. [more]
Maybe he should open a franchise beneath Hot Tub Land.
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WATERSHAPES CLASSIC
Too Little, Too Late?
Back in 2007, Stephanie Rose wrote passionately about the problem of too many watershape and hardscape designs leaving way too little room for planting areas. Why is it so difficult to plan for plants? [more]
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Hayward Introduces TriStar VS 950 Pump
Hayward Pool Products (Elizabeth, NJ) has unveiled the TriStar VS 950 variable-speed pump as part of its Expert Line. Designed for residential applications in which they replace high-performance pumps rated up to three horsepower, the energy-efficient units feature chemical-resistant Viton seals, extra-large leaf/debris baskets and programmable controls. For details, click here.
Thermo-Polymer Pool Surfaces from EcoFinishes
EcoFinish (Warminster, PA) produces AquaBright, a thermo-polymer interior finish for swimming pools. Designed for quick curing, easy fill-water balancing, long-term chemical resistance (even to acid washing) and complete color uniformity as the pool ages, the material is available in 18 colors and comes pre-mixed, ready for application. For details, click here.
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WPN UPDATE
May We Be
of Assistance?
Those of you who design and build pools, spas, fountains, ponds, streams, waterfalls and other forms of contained, controlled water have an amazing ability to produce works of great beauty. But you also face real challenges when it comes to conveying messages about your skills and talents to consumers and prospective clients who might be interested in having you help them make water part of their daily lives.
That’s where the WaterShapes Professional Network can help: We’ve built a web presence in which dozens of designers and builders of watershapes of all types participate as an Internet colossus — a grouped entity large and interconnected enough that the search engines have to treat it with respect. So if it’s a strong (or even just a stronger) web presence you’re after, please do take a look and get involved.
The Network is working just the way we’d hoped: Time to click aboard?
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