ARTICLES Archives - Page 45 of 314

When you work high above the ground, you have to see things from different angles, say high-rise specialists Mark and Zachary Trapani. The rigors and complexity of working with elevated watershape installations requires careful investigation and problem solving at every turn.

Rising High: Part 1

Working on high-rise installations is a specialty that can test even the best in our industry. Rooftop pools are a constant challenge and every project comes with its own list of idiosyncrasies. Odds are what works in one location won't in another. It's work that requires solving problems with close investigation and inventive thinking. We've worked on hundreds of rooftop pools and spas; the vast majority have been in New York City where we're either figuring out what went wrong with an existing watershape or determining how to locate a new vessel in an existing building. In either situation, our goal is to provide a

A Perfect Coda

The conclusion of the pond installation process offers moments to create lasting client impressions. As Dave Garton points in this final entry in his series on client relations, it's a critical juncture where all of the physical work and management of expectations come together.

Bad Exposures

Tying form boards to structural steel is a huge mistake, says Paolo Benedetti: There's no standard or rationale that supports the practice, and as he notes here, that's simply because doing so conjures a host of problems and can result in structurally incompetent walls and shells.

Conservation Works

Looking at water resource issues it's easy to despair. Starting with the fact that over a billion people experience some level of water scarcity is obscure to those of us who have lived our entire lives without having to even consider the availability of water beyond

Charging for Design

Charging a fee for design work is one of the foundations of true professionalism across multiple disciplines. That's why Michael W. Nantz won't give away his watershape ideas, partly because it's a solid revenue stream, but also because it builds up a base of pride and self-esteem.

Achieving Blue Mind: Part II

Not everyone achieves Blue Mind in the same way. It's a concept that is extremely personal - and that's why it's so effective to boosting your mental, emotional, and even physical health. By contrast, Red Mind is your body's stress response gone haywire. It can be activated when you're worried about your

Riding the Lazy River

Animating water in the form of a lazy river inspires many prospective pool owners, explains Mike Farley. But the cost and level of difficulty quickly narrow the opportunities, both for clients concerned with affordability and builders who need an important set of design and technical skills.

Why the Wolf?

We've been asked why Watershape University (WU) chose the wolf as its mascot, and why by extension we refer to our team - of students, faculty and partners -- as the "wolfpack"? The simplest answer is that we're basing our organization on the higher-education model, which is why we're a "University." And, in the collegiate world, everyone has a mascot. From the Razorbacks of the University of Arkansas to the Banana Slugs of

Ready to Return

Watershapes University is ready to resume presenting our unique brand of industry education in front of live audiences. Starting in August WU launches an ambitious calendar of events, strategically scattered throughout the country to provide access to as many industry members as possible. We get started August 7-9 in Hamilton New Jersey at the Northeast Spa & Pool Association's (NESPA) headquarters with our new, three-day course on

Achieving Blue Mind: Part 1

The ability to achieve "Blue Mind" is not dependent on a location - such as an ocean, lake, or river. It is also not dependent on being fully submerged in water. While being able to jump into a cool lake on a hot summer day or stand in the waves at a favorite beach spot helps you