Must-See Watershapes

– as media outlets would have you believe

A Journey Through the Paris Sewers
There is no place quite the like the sewers of Paris. Beginning with the very notion that a sewer could be the subject of wonder and fascination is counterintuitive, but when you take the trip below the streets, what watershaping mastery is both surprising and inspiring. ...
Projecting Elegance
Watershape design should respond to the setting and the clients, rather than preconceived ideas, explains Alison Felschow. In this project, that belief system led to a design that was a far departure from the simple rectangles other builders had offered.  ...
Creating Hoover Dam
Few structures in American history embody the scale of ambition, engineering prowess, and transformative impact as Hoover Dam. Rising from Black Canyon on the Colorado River, southeast of Las Vegas, its massive concrete arc, once the tallest and heaviest dam in the world, stands as both a monumental physical achievement and a symbol of the nation's ability to turn bold ideas into lasting progress. ...
From Asphalt to Activation
Urban parks are increasingly being asked to do more than provide green space. They’re expected to restore ecology, reflect local culture, invite participation, and serve as social condensers for entire communities. Gatton Park on the Town Branch in Lexington, KY, is a strong example of how water—when thoughtfully designed and carefully engineered—can do all of that at once. ...
A Simple Treasure
A recent overseas trip took Jim McCloskey to a place he’s wanted to see for more than 20 years – basically ever since he worked on a WaterShapes article by Douglas Roth more than two decades ago on the wonders of the Japanese garden known as Katsura Rikyu. ...
The Fountain of the Palio del Golfo
La Spezia, Italy, is a place rich in history, architectural beauty, religious tradition and maritime heritage. One of its latest modern attractions is the Palio del Golfo Artwork—a work that pays homage to the rich local culture and traditions, while also pointing toward the future. ...
The Shimmering Spires of Jade Mountain
St. Lucia’s Jade Mountain is one of the world’s most unusual and luxurious resorts, a renowned masterwork in the organic architecture tradition opened since 2006. One of its unique finishing touches involved creating sculptural glass-tile spires atop the building, an artistic task David Knox enthusiastically embraced in the spirit of the place, and the man who created this entirely unique resort.   ...
AI Drives Show-Fountain Experiences
Artificial Intelligence (AI-driven displays are drawing thousands of visitors each week to venues with show fountains, reports J. Wickham “Wick” Zimmerman of Outside The Lines, Inc. OTL is a waterfeature design/build and maintenance firm that has installed its own patented AI technology into two high-profile fountains that are capable of responding to and learning from fountain spectators. ...
Tipón Engineering: Masterpiece of the Incas
In September 2024, Watershape University organized a tour of Machu Picchu, the famous ruins nestled high in the Peruvian Andes. It was a dynamic journey of personal discovery with numerous fascinating revelations along the way, including the many ways the Incas controlled and utilized water. Here’s a look at one of the tour’s main highlights – a unique and mysterious place known as Tipón.  ...
Basilica Cistern: Ancient Design & Function
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