Pools & Spas

Fine Points: Consider the Cannonball
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Reworking a Classic
This vintage property in the heights of Bel Air overlooking Los Angeles had seen better days when JC Escudero became involved in a sweeping renovation back in 2019. The work, including remodeling the pool and adding a spa, would redefine much of the property, while at the same time remaining true to its Spanish Colonial roots, all part of the latest chapter in the property’s star-studded history.   ...
Unpacking Non-Disclosure Agreements
There’s nothing secret about the increasing prevalence of non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) on many, if not most, of today’s most elaborate watershaping projects. More and more, designers and builders are being asked, if not forced, to sign these documents that in many cases prohibit sharing any type of information about the project. ...
“My Prettiest Picture . . . Why?”
The visual grace and simplicity of this deceptively nuanced project betray the slew of design details and careful planning required to pull it off. As David Tisherman explains here, the rooftop Los Angeles pool offered a unique opportunity to apply elevated design principles and technical discipline in a dreamlike, yet challenging, setting. ...
Remembering a Leader: Vance Gillette
As the pool industry mourns the passing of renown leader and advocate, Vance Gillette, WaterShapes editor and long-time friend, Eric Herman, offers a reflection on the career and influence of one of the industry’s most charismatic and outspoken proponents. ...
Breaking Ground with Expanding Demolition Grout
There’s more than one way to break apart a rock, or an old retaining wall, or any other dispensable stone or concrete structure. From jackhammers to dynamite, demolitionists have always had options. Here Mike Nantz discusses a lesser known method that is both quieter and more precise than other more dramatic forms of deconstruction. ...
Square Roots & Cross Purposes
Tailoring pool designs that marry the clients’ desires with the setting is always top-of-mind for Joan Roca. Here, he describes a project on the Florida coast that stands as a perfect example of his design approach. In this case, he turned to a basic shape and a host of custom details, to create a watershape that offers function, and a striking centerpiece that unifies house, land and sea.     ...
The Misguided Push to Eliminate Natural Gas from California’s Backyards
Legislative moves to prohibit natural gas from backyards in California is badly misguided, argues Scott Cohen. While reducing carbon emissions is a valid objective, he says, trying to do so by eliminating natural gas-driven amenities does little to help the environment while stabbing at the heart of the state’s renown outdoor lifestyle. ...
WU Launches New Student Experience Portal
Watershapes University is proud to announce a new user portal platform now available for all existing and future WU students. This new user experience consolidates multiple functions and databases into one, easy-to-use portal with a single sign-on that facilitates enrolling in live and online courses, and receiving certifications for course completions. It’s a useful tool that will help WU students access the education they need to reach their full potential. ...
Waterparks From the Start
In 2022, waterpark operations legend, Billy Hamilton, was inducted into the World Waterpark Association Hall of Fame, honored for his pioneering work maintaining water quality on a mass scale. Here he shares his story with an eye toward the innovative spirit and experimentation that put him on the forefront of the industry’s most complex and challenging commercial facilities. ...