2011/1.2, January 26 — Painting with Stone, Ozone’s Capabilities, Mark Urban and more

January 26, 2011

WATERSHAPES.COM

PONDCRAFT

The Artistry of ‘Painting’ with Stone

Stone comes in many varieties of color, texture and durability. ‘For the pond-building artist,’ writes Ed Beaulieu of Aquascape, ‘stone is the paint.’ Here, Beaulieu offers practical tips on how to use stone more effectively. He also provides a region-by-region breakdown of what’s available across the United States. [more]

FEATURE ARTICLE

Ozone: Expanding Its Range

In the second installment of this two-part, in-depth article, Beth Hamil of Del Ozone looks at the many new aquatic uses the ozone industry is exploring for its products. ‘As ozone technology has become familiar in various fields,’ she reports, ‘we keep finding ourselves being drawn to applications we never anticipated.’ [more]

SEXY AIR FRANCE COMMERCIAL
SPOTLIGHTS SWIMMING POOL
AS SYMBOL OF THE GOOD LIFE [more]

PERSPECTIVES

Remembering Mark Urban

In December, Mark Urban — a well-known presence in the watershaping industry for decades — passed away from bone cancer at the age of 70. Here, WaterShapes editor Eric Herman, who knew Urban for more than 20 years, fondly recalls him as an irrepressible, eccentric character who was innovative, independent, curious, opinionated and generous. [more]

JOIN THE DIALOGUE

Share Your Memories of Mark

Many people in the watershaping industry knew Mark Urban – and if you were one of them, we invite you to share your personal recollections of this unique individual. Both general observations and specific anecdotes are welcome. To share your memories, click the article just above and comment as you wish.

BOOK NOTES

Art Appreciation, Day by Day

Mike Farley reviews The Daily Book of Art: 365 Readings That Teach, Inspire and Entertain by Colin Gilbert, Dylan Gilbert, Elizabeth T Gilbert, and Gabriel Guzman. ‘What I love about this book,’ Farley observes, ‘is how it takes a subject as huge as “art” and breaks it down into easily consumable pieces.’ [more]

EBAC INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTS

(Newport News, VA) offers the Model WM80 dehumidifier for use with indoor pools and spas in residential or commercial applications. Equipped with a high-efficiency rotary compressor for low amp draw and high capacity, the 360-cfm airflow unit can be wall-mounted or freestanding and also features an inlet air filter, a cross-flow fan and an internal humidistat. [more]

HYDRO DRAMATICS

(St. Louis, MO) offers assistance in the mechanical and electrical design and post-installation service of fountains. Working with architects, designers, engineers, contractors and others who need technical support for fountains small or large and from simple to one-of-a-kind complex, its projects range from public parks and gardens to corporate sites and high-end residences. [more]

PENTAIR WATER COMMERCIAL POOL & AQUATICS

(Sanford, NC) offers the Acu Drive XS, a variable-frequency-drive pump designed for increased performance and savings of energy, cost and space in commercial applications. Featuring automatic energy optimization, the unit protects itself against system overloads, motor overheating, voltage disturbances and power surges. [more]

LIGHTSTREAMS GLASS TILE

(Santa Clara, CA) offers the Renaissance Collection of glass tile. Designed for use at the waterline or on the interiors of pools, spas and fountains, the tiles can be used in hot or freezing climates; are thick and substantial; feature permanent, transparent color within the glass; and have edges and corners that are finished, shiny and smooth to the touch. [more]

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2011/1.1, January 12 — Ozone’s Green Side, Stone Erosion, Color and more

January 12, 2011

WATERSHAPES.COM

FEATURE ARTICLE

Ozone: Understanding Its Green Side

In the first installment of this two-part, in-depth article, Beth Hamil — Vice President, Corporate Compliance, for manufacturer Del Ozone — explores ozone’s environmental benefits for energy consumption, water usage and general healthfulness. ‘[The] lack of widespread awareness of ozone’s positive role,’ Hamil writes, ‘stems partly from the fact that many ozone applications are relatively new and unfamiliar.’ [more]

LESSONS LEARNED

The Case of the Vanishing Stone

A homeowner hires a company to build a backyard swimming pool that includes a large waterfall made with natural stone. Only one problem: “Once installation was complete,” reports Scott Cohen, “…every time the waterfall ran, chunks of rock material would slough off and fall into the pool.” Another important lesson to be learned! [more]

FRANCIS FORD COPPOLA
WINERY FEATURES
TWO SWIMMING POOLS [more]

INTERVIEW

The Importance of Watershaping’s Color Palette

Judith Corona leads a colorful life: Among other things, she teaches color theory and application for UCLA Extension, as well as a 20-hour course on the subject for the Genesis 3 Design Group. Here Corona discusses the importance of color in pool design, and factors to consider when creating a color palette for a backyard watershape. [more]

TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE

Ancient Swimming Pool Found

An ancient swimming pool was recently discovered during an archeological dig under a sewing factory — a find that was widely reported by the news media. Do you know where the discovery was made and when the swimming pool was built?

In China; during the Qin Dynasty, approximately 2,200 years ago
In India; during the Gupta Empire, around 1,600 years ago
In Israel; during the Roman period, some 2,000 years ago
In Egypt; during the reign of Amenhotep IV, around 3,300 years ago

To see the correct answer and learn more about this archeological find, click here.

BOOK NOTES

Meeting and Fooling the Eye

‘Although we might not commonly think of watershaping and exterior design in this way, a great many of the details we shape are designed to fool the eye or somehow create illusions,’ writes Mike Farley in his review of the book Masters of Deception: Escher, Dali & the Artists of Optical Illusion, by Al Seckel. [more]

AQUASALT

(Houston, TX) offers salt for use in all saltwater chlorination systems. The salt is made through evaporation in a food-grade salt production facility rather than relying on outdoor solar processing and the contaminants it includes. The material has a crystal size designed to produce the fastest dissolution rate available for pool and spa applications and a level of purity that minimizes any concerns about staining. [more]

BIONOVA NATURAL POOLS

(Hackettstown, NJ) offers consulting services to professional watershapers interested in designing natural pool systems. Once the design’s aesthetic parameters are set, the organization provides the planning required to complete the project and also will provide either construction or project-management services to make certain the program is implemented to specification. [more]

AQUAMATIC COVER SYSTEMS

(Gilroy, CA) offers the Hydramatic line of pool covers. Installed with a reliable, maintenance-free, all-fluid drive mechanism designed to last the lifetime of the pool, the system also includes walk-on lid components that blend into the hardscape while completely hiding the retracted cover. Several options for tracks and covers allow for use with pools of almost any configuration. [more]

WATERWAY PLASTICS

(Oxnard, CA) offers 32-inch Ultra Strip Drains. Compliant with provisions of the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool & Spa Safety Act, these units can be used with concrete, vinyl or fiberglass pools and have been NSF-certified for floor and wall applications using either a center port or two side ports. With their length ensuring unblockability, the units come in a wide variety of colors. [more]