2014 Editions (July-December) Archives - Page 2 of 2

THE ESSENTIAL E-NEWSLETTER FOR WATERSHAPE DESIGNERS, ENGINEERS AND BUILDERS

July 23, 2014 www.watershapes.com

PROJECT PROFILE

Reflective Glory

Working on a major art installation quickly and with a need for secrecy: That was the challenge the client presented to Bryan Weber and his staff in designing and building two reflecting pools that now elevate ‘Sky Mirror’ to a position of prominence in front of a major sports stadium. [more]

VIDEO GALLERY

Pipe Diameter ABCs

Once upon a time, builders saw pipes as pipes — their size made no difference as long as they moved water along its way and didn’t leak. But all that has changed, says Lew Akins — and as he discusses in this brief video, watershape owners are much the better off for it. [more]

TRAVELOGUE

On the Beach

In the course of a day in the sun with good friends, Jim McCloskey was introduced to a derelict swimming pool built long ago by a renowned architect for a famous client. This beautiful watershape is now fully restored, open to the public and well worth a pilgrimage. [more]

ESSENTIAL

Native Vision

The watershapes for the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of the American Indian came with a high-minded design mission as well as a significant set of technical challenges. Here, design-team member Dominic Shaw surveys the history of the project, discussing the many details that make the watercourse and wetland area surrounding the newest facility on the Capitol Mall a fitting tribute to those the space seeks to honor.

This article, originally published in November 2006, has been digitized for all readers. Click here to see the full text and enlarge the images to study the craftsmanship in detail.

INTERVIEW

On Energy Stars and Watershapes

Among consumers, the Energy Star label is a valued mark of distinction. In this exclusive Interview, Pentair’sJeff Farlow traces the process by which some pool-related products are finally gaining recognition — and access to the program’s many promotional benefits. [more]

WATERSHAPES WORLD

Rising Tides

The title of this newsletter has changed effective with this edition, notes Jim McCloskey. But with the exception of a single large and important addition, its mission is no different from the one with which WaterShapes started back in February 1999. [more]

Wearing a Bikini to Send a Message:

Vacationing Model Shows Her Colostomy Bags to the World

[more]

WATERSHAPES CLASSIC

Size Does Matter

In her Natural Companions column of June 1999, Stephanie Rose raised an issue about the practicalities of project planning and management that still needs consideration to the present day. [more]

THE SHOPPING CART

Fiberoptic Lighting Systems from S.R. Smith

S.R. Smith (Canby, OR) now manufactures the Fiberstars line of lighting products — including Color Light Streams, which are used to illuminate the streams of water produced by laminar jets, bubblers, rain features and waterfalls as well as the star-lighting systems placed on watershape floors. Colors include white, blue, green, red, amber and purple. For details, click here.

Fountain Bleu Offers Dual-Filter Cart for Pond Cleaning

Fountain Bleu (Southwick, MA) now offers Dual-Filter Carts for use with its Water-Vac Solids Separation Systems. The filters break down particulates into multiple stages to speed up cleaning times. Operating to the 200-micron level at 3,000 gallons per hour, the carts can be combined to bring even more filtration to the pond-cleaning process. For details, click here.

THE AQUATIC QUIZ

Australian Swimming Champ

Ian Thorpe Comes Out as Gay

Many water-related stories have been in the news of late — including a report connected to the three questions below.

1. While the sexual orientation of Ian Thorpe (“the Thorpedo” and “Australia’s Greatest Olympian”) has long been the subject of speculation, the legendary swimming champion — now retired from the sport — recently put an end to the rumors by publicly revealing he is gay. Although Thorpe competed in a number of different Olympic swimming events, what was his specialty?

a. Backstroke b. Breaststroke c. Freestyle d. Butterfly.

2. British swimmer Rebecca Coales has broken a U.K. free-diving record by swimming more than three-and-a-half lengths of an Olympic-size pool without coming up for air. The Web site mrror.co.uk reports that the 38-year-old Coales — who was wearing a monofin during the swim — held her breath for how long?

a. More than 1.5 minutes b. More than 1.75 minutes
c. More than 2.0 minutes d. More than 2.5 minutes.

3. FloWave, a new “swimming pool” at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland, will be used for conducting scientific research into tidal wave power. The advanced ocean simulator can duplicate very fast currents and extremely high waves. According to dailymail.co.uk, up to how high?

a. Three stories b. Five stories c. Seven stories d. Nine stories.

To find out how many you got right, click here.“

July 9, 2014 www.watershapes.com

PROJECT PROFILE

A Mirror on Infinity

Tackling a major fountain project in a significant public space is nothing new to Jon Mitovich — but getting it done at breakneck speed? That, he says, brought out something special in everyone who worked on the stacked reflecting pools positioned in front of Dallas’ AT&T Stadium. [more]

WHAT IS IT?

#13: Volleyball Plus

Today’s pools are used for a range of purposes, observes Mike Farley — exercise, games, swimming, relaxation and more. As he suggests in this video, there’s one key watershape feature that goes a long way toward making this varied functionality a comfortable possibility. [more]

TECHNICAL BRIEFING

Where Streams Live

Designing and building a big stream is no small task, with the scale of these projects and high client expectations ratcheting up the stakes. To sort it all out, Rick Anderson approaches his wandering-water projects by keeping a great resource uppermost in mind. [more]

ESSENTIAL

A Hit on the High Seas

One of the most unusual watershape systems ever built, the AquaTheater on the Oasis of the Seas is the first theatrical waterfeature ever installed on a cruise ship. In this special two-in-one article, Fluidity’s Jim Garland and Tom Yankelitis begin with a description of the ideas and the design process that led to creation of this shipboard super-fountain, then Crystal Fountains’ Ritesh Khetia discusses the engineering and systems-integration solutions that make it all work.

This article, originally published in November 2010, has been digitized for all readers. Click here to see the full text and enlarge the images to study the craftsmanship in detail.

WATERSHAPES WORLD

What’s in a Name?

As he wrapped up preparations for the current edition of this newsletter, it struck Jim McCloskey that there was something a bit strange about its name — a thought that leads him to announce a key change in the way we’ll all refer to it in the months and years to come. [more]

TRAVELOGUE

A Modest Monument

The York Street Millennium Fountain in Ottawa is a small marvel that characterizes the city in ways that something grander perhaps never could. Go see it for yourself, advises John Altorio, to weigh all of the careful balances the project involved. [more]

Pudginess, Meet Combat Readiness:

Kim Jong Un Supervises Swim
Drill for N. Korean Naval Officers

[more]

WATERSHAPES CLASSIC

Grounded Value

Back in 2009, Bruce Zaretesky hopped aboard one of his favorite trains of thought and railed against a popular feature that’s common to vast numbers of residential (and even commercial) landscapes. [more]

THE SHOPPING CART

Poolstones Introduces Marble Overflow System

Poolstones by Sofikitis (Voula, Greece) offers a pool-overflow system made of solid marble. Precision-cut for free water passage, the units have slightly bullnosed front edges to encourage flow back into the pool, while the back edge is perfectly flat for easy leveling with decking materials. The grate can be made of anti-slip marble, with or without slots. For details, click here.

AquaMaster Adds to Its Aerating Fountain Line

AquaMaster Fountains & Aerators (Kiel, WI) has added Imperial to the numerous patterns available in its Master Series of fountains. Designed for pond and lake aeration, the new unit features a spinning outer pattern combined with an upright central geyser and is available in seven models with pumps ranging from 1/2 to 10 horsepower. For details, click here.

THE AQUATIC QUIZ

World Cup Nude Swimming
Photos Outrage Teammates

Many water-related stories have been in the news of late — including a report connected to the three questions below.

1. At the World Cup soccer tournament in Brazil, one Slavic country’s team was incensed when photos were published showing some of its members swimming naked in the pool at their training complex. The photos reportedly were taken by paparazzi hiding nearby. What country?

a. Slovenia b. Croatia c. Montenegro d. Bosnia-Herzegovina.

2. The world’s first doggie swimming pool — complete with slides and fountains — recently opened near what major European city?

a. Lisbon b. Barcelona c. Warsaw d. Berlin.

3. A new swimming pool at the University of Colorado’s Boulder campus — part of a $63 million recreation center renovation and expansion — is in the shape of the school’s mascot. What character is the pool supposed to represent?

a. Ralphie the Buffalo b. Ralphie the Aardvark
c. Ralphie the Bear d. Ralphie the Eagle.

To find out how many you got right, click here.“