Outdoor Living, Fire Features, Amenities & Lighting
British design firm, Splinterworks (Bath, UK) has made a mark in the watershaping world by reimagining waterslides. Taking a truly daring design approach, the company combines form and function into structures that are as much works of sculptural art as they are pieces of poolside play equipment.
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Solus (New Westminster, BC) offers the Water Dome. These water bowls feature polished metal domes that appear to float inside a concrete vessels. Water flows up through the center of each dome to run over the reflective surface of the hand-spun metal and then drops off the edges into the surrounding water creating sound. Each metal dome is handmade and unique. Learn more here.
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Are dark clouds gathering on the economic horizon? Many people think so, and are feeling that way with growing frequency and deepening levels of concern. As Eric Herman points out, based on past experience in periods of looming financial strife, this is the time to plan for a changing business landscape.
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Pentair (Minneapolis, MN) makes MicroBrite Color and White LED Lights. For new pool and spa designs, their compact size adds dynamic lighting in tight places. The 12V LED plastic lights are only 3.5 inches long, fit into narrow walls and tight spaces and require no niche. Learn more here.
Lazy rivers have become a mainstay in countless waterparks and resort pool facilities. As Eric Herman points out here, it is vitally important that when properties advertise the presence of a lazy river, that it actually fits the definition. As he recently discovered, it’s a surprisingly big disappointment when that turns out to be untrue.
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Artificial rock can be used to great effect across a spectrum of watershape settings, especially when the design is inspired directly by nature, explains Bruce Riley. Case in point, this elaborate project is designed to recreate the magic of cenotes, the legendary watery caves of the Yucatan peninsula.
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The benefits and importance of bather cleanliness are well established. From managing water quality to preventing the spread of waterborne diseases, showering stands as one of the frontline swimmer-health measures. As Paolo Benedetti points out here, showers also represent an opportunity to add value to the watershape environment with interesting designs, materials and by enhancing the experience of getting wet.
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For many watershapers, plants are a mere afterthought. That’s a mistake, says “garden artisan” Scott Cohen. He takes the opposite approach by embracing planted areas as one of the primary design elements in all of his company’s projects. Doing so, he explains here, reduces liability, increases project control and opens up myriad design possibilities.
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Pentair offers GloBrite lights, color changing LED fixtures that generate five fixed colors; with seven preprogrammed light shows. The fixtures are compatible with the IntelliTouch and EasyTouch Control Systems, they can also be used with an optional Color Sync Controller for Pentair Color LED Pool Lights. They do not require grounding or bonding and they consume far less energy that halogen or incandescent lights. Read More
Becoming an independent aquatic designer is an aspiration for many watershape professionals looking to leave the rigors of construction behind. Working his way through nearly all aspects of pool design, construction and sales over a nearly three-decade career, Kevin Woodhurst recently made the full design transition, a journey, he says, that was both deliberate and, at times, also unexpected.
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