ARTICLES Archives - Page 182 of 312

Knowing the Risks

These days, it seems natural for people to be reluctant to take risks. We are, after all, still feeling the effects of a severe recession, and lots of folks are hunkered down, saving their pennies and waiting for something good to happen. I completely understand this conservative impulse, especially on the business front, but it’s also obvious to me that if we’re going to take the necessary steps to return to more prosperous times, then we as individuals, as an industry and even as a society will at some point need to start

A Sense of Place

Before attending the American Society of Landscape Architects’ Expo in Chicago last fall, I arrived in town a couple days early to spend some quality time with my great friends and long-time WaterShapes contributors Suzanne and Ron Dirsmith, who live and work in Oak Park, a suburb famous for a number of Prairie-style homes designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. The Dirsmiths, of course, are accomplished artists in their own right, having distinguished themselves with their work on

A Marketing Pro Surveys the Industry

An Interview by Eric Herman A watershaping industry veteran of more than 25 years, publicist Laurie Batter was cited as one of Aquatics International's "Power 25" in 2006; was twice named one of the Top 25 Industry People to Watch by Swimming Pool/Spa Age; was presented with

Keep Weep Screeds Clear

Over the years, many of the mistakes I've seen that result in the most severe consequences can be remedied by very simple fixes. Indeed, the simplest and best "fix" is to avoid

Five Keys to Waterproofing Success

It's a fact: Watershapes built with concrete need to be waterproofed in some way or it is almost certain that the water their shells are supposed to contain will find a way to escape. While some observe that concrete applied by an expert at high levels of compressive strength will

Ripples #2

Readers Throw Cold Water on WSJ Pool Article As if the tanked economy wasn't bad enough for watershapers, The Wall Street Journal recently published an article ("Taking a Bath on Your Pool") that, essentially, calls into question the sanity of any homeowner who

Two Tales of Two Architects

Earlier this year, I attended the Texas Pool & Spa Expo in Fort Worth — and, upon arrival, was treated to an unexpected earful. As soon as I reached the show floor, I walked over to greet my friends at the Genesis 3 booth. Before I could even get in a good round of "hellos," David Tisherman asked me if I'd ever been to the

Maximizing Positive Feelings

Whether we think of them this way or not, watershape and landscape designs have the ability to create emotional responses among our clients. In that sense, we're actually in the business of provoking those feelings. When we do things right, the conjurings are positive and are at their best when we successfully forge links to our clients' treasured experiences. If we miss the mark by not properly considering

On Mastering the Good Life

An Interview by Eric Herman Brian Van Bower's 'Aqua Culture' column has appeared in every WaterShapes issue since the magazine's inception and has become an inspirational touchstone for many along the way. Now in his 12th year of writing for WaterShapes, Brian has covered a vast array of topics, all with a unique

Ripples #1

World's Most Amazing Swimming Pool? Ripples thinks so — not because of the pool itself, but because of where and how it is situated. To fully appreciate this mindboggling installation, you need to see photos, so please