Aquatic Culture | Watershapes

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PHOTO COURTESY J. BROWNLEE DESIGN, NASHVILLE, TENN.
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A Hit on the High Seas

One of the most unusual watershape systems ever built, the AquaTheater on the recently launched Oasis of the Seas is the first theatrical waterfeature ever installed on a cruise ship. In this special two-in-one article, Fluidity’s Jim Garland and Tom Yankelitis begin with a description of the ideas and the design process that led to creation of this shipboard super-fountain, then Crystal Fountains’ Ritesh Khetia discusses the engineering and systems-integration solutions that make it all work.

Charging for Design

Charging a fee for design work is one of the foundations of true professionalism across multiple disciplines. That's why Michael W. Nantz won't give away his watershape ideas, partly because it's a solid revenue stream, but also because it builds up a base of pride and self-esteem.

Riding the Lazy River

Animating water in the form of a lazy river inspires many prospective pool owners, explains Mike Farley. But the cost and level of difficulty quickly narrow the opportunities, both for clients concerned with affordability and builders who need an important set of design and technical skills.

Bad Exposures

Tying form boards to structural steel is a huge mistake, says Paolo Benedetti: There's no standard or rationale that supports the practice, and as he notes here, that's simply because doing so conjures a host of problems and can result in structurally incompetent walls and shells.

Tasteful Extravagance

Patience, creativity and adaptability defined the design and installation process for this unique and beautiful project in Plantation, Fla. Along the way, explains Andrew Kaner, the project team navigated multiple challenges while easing the way for clients who expected nothing but the best.

Imagine a World

Steve Kenny believes it's time for aquatic professionals to add a new specialty -- one devoted entirely to elevating water quality in both commercial and residential settings. The first step, he says, is imagining a world in which excellence in water quality is simply the norm.

Hot-Weather Shotcrete

Placing shotcrete in hot weather can be a risky proposition if you don't follow basic guidelines. Success under these conditions, reports William Drakeley, calls for controlling concrete temperature and mix design while also managing details of the installation and curing processes.

Tile Lines

Tile specialist Jimmy Reed has spent a long career perfecting his approach to installing beautiful materials on the surfaces of high-end watershapes. Through the years, as he has guided countless clients through the tile-selection process and compiled a portfolio filled with visually stunning work, he’s always taken pride in the fact that he is much more than a subcontractor and has indeed become a full participant on a broad range of creative teams.

Building toward Clarity

Having begun his career decades ago as a residential pool/spa service technician on Long Island, N.Y., watershaper Steve Kenny has a profound appreciation of superior water quality – one he developed, he says, despite a near vacuum when it came to high-caliber industry education on the subject. Today, this self-taught expert applies what he’s learned in building pools that combine unusual hydraulic designs with sophisticated water treatments.

The Eastern Way

The Huntington Botanical Gardens are a must for any watershaper or landscape designer who visits Los Angeles. While you're there, writes Jim McCloskey, you should make time to stroll through and enjoy the show-stopping magnificence of its Japanese garden.

Night Vision

Surveying the art of lighting design. 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

Aquaview Makes Frameless Glass Fences

Landscape/Hardscape Materials & Equipment
Product information from Aquaview Glass on its line of frameless fence and railing systems made from clear glass.

Landscape/Hardscape Materials & Equipment
Product information from Iron Age Design of its Acanthus grates, made of cast metal using 80 percent recycled materials

J&J Electronics Offers Nicheless Light Fixtures

Pool/Spa Systems & Equipment
Product information from J&J Electronics on the ColorSplash VU RGB-W nicheless LED light fixtures for pool and spa applications.

Fountain People Improves Fountain-In-A-Can

Fountain Systems & Equipment
Product information from Fountain People on improvements to flow adjusting for its Fountain-In-A-Can line.

Outdoor Living Systems & Accessories
Product information from Maluna on its Unhinged Coolers for keeping beverages cold in a range of outdoor settings.

Palapa Structures Makes Palapa and Tiki Huts

Outdoor Living Systems & Accessories
Product information from Palapa Structures on its lines of palapas and tiki huts for use as shade structures in outdoor settings.

Conservation Works

WaterShapes World (blog)
At a time when good news seems hard to come by, Eric Herman bucks the norm by sharing some facts and figures about water conservation over the last 40 years that give us all genuine cause for hope. Indeed, we may have more control over water use than most people think.