Aquatic Technology
– some things useful, others not so much
The “floating faucet” sculpture pictured here has become a popular type of feature with numerous iterations around the globe. In this case, Chris Trevathan and his team from Underwater Glazing International discovered that making the slight-of-hand watershape effect stand up and function was deceptively tricky.
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Did you know bears love hot tub covers, specifically the smell and taste of vinyl? For hot tub owners in rural settings, it’s true that bears will sometimes steal covers and take a dip in the war water while they’re at it.
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Bill Drakeley is passionate about shotcrete, and has spent his professional life becoming a leading authority on its proper use—a pursuit that has led him into a world of concrete that goes far beyond the comfortable confines of swimming pool construction.
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Although completed in 2003 and outlandishly opulent, the story behind this project by designer/builder Mario Abaldo has never been told out of respect for the client’s privacy concerns. More than two decades later, he’s finally ready to share arguably his most magnificent work.
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Equipment-pad design often requires making the most of the available space, which in many situations is far too small. Kevin Cobabe faces tight confines in at least half of his projects, he says, which leads to the use of tables and shelves to fit in the needed equipment without compromising efficiency or serviceability.
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Stainless-steel vessels have dramatically increased in popularity over the past 20 years, observes Mark Holden and Jeff Freemen. That increase necessitates a greater understanding of the material, its advantages and, as important, the potential problems associated with the manufacturing process that can lead to catastrophic failures, litigation and expensive remediations.
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Natare manufacturers swimming pool windows that provide a clear view into the swimming or diving pool below the water’s surface, an invaluable aid for underwater photography, education, or the ultimate view of competition swimming. These strong rectangular windows are suitable for installation in any concrete or stainless-steel pool. The window installs flush with the interior pool wall, eliminating projections and sharp edges that can interfere with equipment or competition.
Learn more here.
Convention and common practice often exist to be challenged, says Steve Kenny. In his quest to understand how to consistently achieve superior water quality, he has come to what he views as a watershed opinion – one that will directly challenge the industry’s assumptions about filtration technology.
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Tailoring pool designs that marry the clients’ desires with the setting is always top-of-mind for Joan Roca. Here, he describes a project on the Florida coast that stands as a perfect example of his design approach. In this case, he turned to a basic shape and a host of custom details, to create a watershape that offers function, and a striking centerpiece that unifies house, land and sea.
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The Language of Plaster