Artful Endeavors
– watershaping a bit beyond the beaten path
Refurbishing Northern California’s legendary Donnell Ranch pool required technical expertise, historical sensitivity, craftsmanship, restraint, and a sense of responsibility to preserve an American design icon.
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Building adventure, preserving views, and creating a backyard full of experiences were the marching orders for this multifaceted Las Vegas desert oasis. As Terence Thornton explains, the project also came with its own venomous mascot.
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A narrow side yard can easily become an overlooked space, but thoughtful watershape design can transform it into something extraordinary. In this work prosaically titled, “Side Hustle,” The Green Scene turned a challenging passageway into an intimate retreat, combining sculptural water, illuminated crystal spheres, shimmering tile, and soothing sound to create an award-winning outdoor experience.
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While homeowners with views almost always want to make the most of their settings, many don’t fully understand how best to go about it, explains Scott Cohen. Capturing a beautiful vista does not always mean leaving it undressed and undisrupted. Here he describes how framing and even partially concealing a scene can lend context, function and beauty.
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The use of stone in and around pools, spas, and other bodies of water has a long and rocky history, points out Mike Farley. It’s also one of those design elements that moves in and out of fashion with surprising regularity.
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As more and more cities and commercial properties recognize how themed aquatic play and inclusive design encourage interactive fun, one Arizona municipality has invested in a creative and efficient splash pad to help residents stay cool and have fun in the heat.
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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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Inspired by the legendary luxury and lifestyle of Acapulco, and a Ringo Starr song immortalizing the resort mecca, JC Escudero, reflects on the history and legacy that fuels dreams of ocean breezes, frothy drinks and sunshine.
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In the first installment of this two-part project Mario and Sherry Abaldo explained the scope and first stages of the work creating one of the most elaborate residential aquatic spaces of all time. Here they fill in many of the details that made this undertaking so remarkable.
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Seeds of Purpose