ARTICLES Archives - Page 44 of 315

Learning by Adventure

Editor's note: Welcome back to Open Waters, the space where we explore the wide world of water in a series of blogs, book reviews, charitable profiles, and travelogues. The topic of this 2nd edition profile was brought to our attention by Wallace "J" Nichols, author of "Blue Mind" and co-founder (with Watershape University) of the Live Blue Foundation.

Hydraulic Harmony

Editor's note: Welcome to 'Direct Connections,' a new department that is now part of the WaterShapes feature array. What you'll find here are videos and multi-media presentations on technical and business topics -- including this podcast by Dave Penton about a key factor in system engineering.

Moving from backyard ponds to commercial fountains is a big leap, says Tim Krzeminski, one that requires diligence, expanded skill sets and organizational discipline -- not to mention the raw courage needed to tackle bigger, more complex systems with huge public profiles.

Finding Fountains

Back in the 1960s there was a sign on a road entering Alaska that read, "Choose your rut carefully - you will be in it for the next 200 miles." Changing lanes in business can be stressful and risky, but sometimes it's the wisest choice because the road you're on could be leading nowhere. That's what happened to our company, Laughing Waters. I started out in the pond business as a teenager and for years we were full-speed ahead installing naturalistic water features, including ponds, streams

Fire-Fighting Pools

Every year during fire season, we see aerial news footage of houses that have burned down next to swimming pools full of water. It always makes me despair and wonder, had there been a way to use that water to stave off the fires, would those houses have been saved? And, are there scenarios where an available water source might even save lives? Growing up in Southern California where wild fires are part of life, I've seen the destructive power up close. I've been evacuated three times, have had friends lose their homes and have witnessed what it's like to live in a community that's been devastated by the flames. It's a sudden tragedy that often unfolds in a few terrifying minutes

Constructive Engagement

At Watershape University, our sponsors, which we call our Corporate Engagement Team (CET), is a critical part of our program development and the benefits we provide our students. We actively pursue relationships with industry-related businesses as a way to further our mission to bring quality education for students at all levels of the pool, spa and aquatics industries.

While true perfection is an elusive goal, Grant Smith believes in pursuing it by exceeding engineering and construction standards and paying attention to fine aesthetic details. And as he reports here, sometimes he ends up chasing it for clients who like to change their minds.

Patient Perfection

When you target the high-end custom pool market, you have to be prepared to work with clients who like to change things along the way. It can be a real challenge because it causes delays, re-engineering and sometimes removing work you've just installed. More than anything, you have to remain patient, constantly listening and explaining the ramifications of changing things to the client. It helps when you have a good rapport from the start. All of that was true and then some for the project pictured here. It's located in an upscale neighborhood in Sherman Oaks, Calif. The property is about a third of an acre on a relatively flat corner lot completely surrounded by tall fichus hedges for privacy.

Installing a pond for basketball legend Shaquille O'Neal was a personal thrill, notes Greg Wittstock. But even if he and the all-star project team were a little bit starstruck, they stayed focused and approached the work as an expression of aquatic art at the highest level.

The Shaq Pond

It was the kind of opportunity that doesn't come along very often. This past Memorial Day weekend, members of the Aquascape family had the pleasure of installing a sprawling stream and pond system for none other than NBA Hall of Famer and four-time NBA champion, Shaquille O'Neal. A team of Aquascape Inc. employees and "Artists of the Year" came together to create a bucolic 22-by-50-foot ecosystem pond with a 70-foot stream for "the big man" on his sprawling 80-acre Atlanta-area home. Our talented project team collaborated on the installation of the pond with all sorts of input on a variety of our signature details.

Creating swimming pools that go sparingly on energy is a consuming passion for designer/builder Douglas Cook. Here he explains how combining energy-smart solutions, such as solar heating and power generation, can lead to dramatic savings.

Pathways to Efficiency

Creating swimming pools that save on energy costs is a consuming passion for Douglas Cook. As he explains here, he achieves best results with combinations of energy-smart solutions -- often including solar heating and power generation -- that can lead to dramatic savings.

A Cautionary Note

There is no question that watershaping industry is on fire right now. Over the past two-plus months, every single builder I've talked to, without exception, has said that they are busier than they've ever been with a constant stream of homeowners looking to either install a new pool or upgrade an existing one. I've heard the same thing from pool and spa retailers and pond builders. As I previously described in this space, the current surge in

New Talent Comes Aboard

Watershape University is pleased to announce the newest edition to the Wolfpack, Brett Herman, who will join our team effective July 27. Brett is an experienced writer and editor with a long work history in online education as a tutor and academic advisor.