Overview | 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 courtesy Questar Pools & Spas, Escondido, Calif.
Photo courtesy H2Oarts, Santa Paula, Calif.
Photo courtesy Hess Landscape Architects, Lansdale, Pa.
Photo courtesy Design Ecology, Austin, Texas
Photo courtesy Longwood Gardens, Kennett Square, Pa.
Photo courtesy Huntington Library, San Marino, Calif.
Photo courtesy Rock Solid Tile, Calabasas, Calif.
Photo courtesy Hughes Water Gardens, Wilsonville, Ore.

Winter Delights

Fountains have long been purposeful testimonials to the beauty of moving water and the effect it has on associated sculpture and landscaping. Less deliberate and controllable but still beautiful, say landscape architects and environmental artists Suzanne Roe Dirsmith and Ron Dirsmith, is what occurs when a fountain and its patterns of mist and overspray freeze – effects that open a fresh, unique set of options to watershapers.

Shaping Relationships

In his work as a watershape consultant, Andrew Kaner has forged bonds with numerous architects. Here, he explores the nature of a solidly productive relationship he's forged with one of them, conversing with Paul Fischman about how their collaboration has grown and evolved.

Split Personalities

There was definitely something familiar about this project: All of the principals involved knew each other well, notes Ken Alperstein, and now they'd been asked to rework almost every detail of two golf courses on which they've all labored repeatedly for nearly a quarter century.

Working the Views

As soon as he arrived on site, Jason Brownlee knew the project would be all about the amazing views. But his clients had more on their minds, asking him focus just as much on entertainment and distinctive gathering spaces as on maximizing the home's obvious visual assets.

Begin Again

When these clients originally made contact, they were after a renovation. But once Ryan Hughes saw the site and the plan and considered what the homeowners really wanted, he persuaded them to start from scratch and work with him in creating the bayfront poolscape of their dreams.

Life Lessons

With the many questions he's asked in classrooms and in conversations with fellow watershapers, Paolo Benedetti is constantly reminded of things he wishes he'd known when he started his business. In the first of two articles, he begins by discussing ten of these key observations.

Big Ideas, Small Space

The yard was quite long and narrow, and so was the tightly confined access path. But Scott Cohen has enough experience in dealing with compact backyards that he's always ready, as he demonstrates here, to deliver a design that suits the space -- and his client's expectations.

Civic Celebrations

For years, Montréal’s arts district has been the venue for music and theater performances, art exhibitions, festivals and all manner of cultural events. As part of a revitalization process in the area, notes David L’Heureux, the city recently unveiled the Place des Festivals and a spectacular watershape he and a distinguished design team built at its heart as a gathering place for residents and visitors of all ages and a civic focus for fun, relaxation and visual joy.

Subterranean Energy

Although heating water by using energy found beneath the earth’s surface is far from a new idea, watershape designer/builder Douglas Cook reports that only recently has this geothermal bounty become available for use with pools and spas. Here, he offers a primer on this emerging technology, discussing ways in which the benefits of a fully renewable energy supply are starting to turn clients’ heads – and transform the way watershapes are heated or cooled.

Inquiring Minds

Early in 2010, Brian Van Bower covered a topic of importance to any watershaping professional -- then as now -- who wants to experience success in working with an affluent, demanding clientele.

Provincial Splendor

Not even the staging for Bastille Day fireworks could completely hide the fountain at the heart of this French city from Jim McCloskey's curious eyes. When he returned the next day, he found a magnificent watershape that spoke volumes about local history and commerce.

Making Spectacles

Making a spectacle of splashing water. 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.

New Products at Watershapes.com

CMP Releases Its 2020 Pool-Product Catalog

Pool/Spa Systems & Equipment
Information from CMP on its 2020 catalog for pool and spa features, sanitizing systems, LED lighting, new products and more.

EcoSmart Fire Offers Camp-Style Fire Feature

Outdoor Living Systems & Accessories
Product information from EcoSmart Fire on Stix, a campfire-style, easily portable, bioethanol-fueled fire feature.

Improved Under-Track from Automated Pool Covers

Construction Systems & Materials
Product information from Auomatic Pool Covers on its improved under-track system for its AutoGuard safety covers for pools.

Zodiac Introduces Quattro Sport Pool Cleaners

Pool/Spa Systems & Equipment
Product information from Zodiac Pool Systems on the Polaris Quattro Sport pressure-side swimming pool cleaner.

Pond/Stream Systems & Equipment
Product information from Aquascape on its faux-log fish caves, which protect pond fish from predators -- including herons.

Fountain Systems & Equipment
Product information from Fountain People on its LED lights for underwater applications with fountains and splash pads.

Just Amazing

WaterShapes World (blog)
There's even more major news from Watershape University: As Jim McCloskey reports, Eric Herman has joined the team and will soon take charge of WaterShapes, while Ask the Masters has agreed to add its videos and podcasts to WaterShapes.com's home page!