2016 Editions (January-June) Archives - Page 2 of 2

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

January 20, 2016 www.watershapes.com

FEATURE ARTICLE

Tools of Enchantment

When she designs watergardens for her New England clientele, Maria von Brincken applies a refined set of principles rooted in regional geology, acclimated species and seasonal transitions. In everything, she says, her aim is to beguile onlookers in beautifully subtle ways. [more]

VIDEO GALLERY

Small Space, Big City

Thinking big seems to be what modern watershaping is mostly about, writes Mike Gannon. But if you find yourself in a tight urban space like the one seen in this video, he notes, you need to alter course and think about ponds and waterfalls measured in inches rather than yards. [more]

TRAVELOGUE

Rotten Timing

A chance layover in Detroit gave Jim McCloskey the opportunity to visit a famous fountain he’d long wanted to see. But things didn’t quite work out the way he was hoping when he reached the famed waterfront plaza on a miserably cold January day a few years ago. [more]

ESSENTIAL

Modern Movements

Moving water has an uncanny ability to soothe and refresh no matter where you find it, observe watershapers Sheri and Roger Soares II — but, they quickly add, it has a special power in arid, desert environments, where its appearance is both unexpected and reassuring. That’s why their projects almost always include water-in-transit effects, from subtle spillways or runnels to complex vanishing edges or perimeter overflows.

This article, originally published in WaterShapes in April 2009, has been digitized for all readers. Click here to see the full text and enlarge the images to study the craftsmanship in detail.

TECHNICAL BRIEFING

Becoming Wise

“A smart man learns from his own mistakes, a wise man learns from the mistakes of others.” If you internalize that classic proverb, writes Scott Cohen, then you might conclude that watershaping is the occupation of a fair number of smart people and too few wise ones. [more]

WATERSHAPES WORLD

The Big Aquatic Picture

In his ongoing series of commentaries on public pools and watershaping’s future, Jim McCloskey has outlined a long list of social/cultural considerations and concerns — and reports here on support he has found in a book that offers a broad context for his own observations. [more]

WE BROWSE SO YOU DON’T HAVE TO . . .

Nice Kitty Dept.: A cheetah approaches a pool for a drink, giving this bather a chance to risk life and limb. [more]

The bold and lucky fellow had ‘lunch’ written all over him.

Memory Lane Dept.: A look at competitive swimming in 1916 shows just how far things have come. [more]

From body types to swimsuits , it was a different world.

WATERSHAPES CLASSIC

Water’s Flip Side

Back in 2011, Bruce Zaretsky dedicated his On the Level column to a key issue in landscape and watershape design and construction that means even more in our era of wild weather — as you’ll see by clicking here.

THE SHOPPING CART

Swimming Pool Windows from Hammerhead International

Hammerhead International (Las Vegas, NV) makes acrylic panels for use in high-end residential and commercial swimming pools. Available in many shapes and sizes, the panels can be made to match everything from the most complicated radiuses of vanishing-edge walls to simple spa panels. The company also offers installation services. For details, click here.

Aquascendo Offers Movable Pool Floor System

Aquascendo (Los Angeles, CA) makes a movable pool floor system that can be raised or lowered to any level. Capable of changing a dry patio surface into a toddler’s wading pool or an exercise pool or a deep-water swimming pool in minutes, the system is intended for commercial or residential applications and works via an elevator-like mechanism. For details, click here.

WPN UPDATE

Ready
for 2016?

As you think about the year to come, there’s one handy contact and referral system you should consider: The WaterShapes Professional Network is here to help consumers find you and have a chance to review your work and mission statement on neutral ground before taking the big step of reaching out to contact you directly. It’s a resource watershapers have needed for years — and you can start getting involved yourself by clicking here.

The Network is growing: It’s time to think about climbing aboard!

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

January 6, 2016 www.watershapes.com

FEATURE ARTICLE

Cliff-Top Performance

Given all the details that can get in the way of smooth performance, it’s easy to see why it’s tough to take a watershaping act on the road. The key to success at a distance is, of course, planning, but as Barry Justus reports, it also helps to be patient — and lucky. [more]

FEATURE ARTICLE

Bicarb Start-Up ABCs

Working with sodium bicarbonate in starting up a newly finished watershape involves more than turning on a tap, concedes Kim Skinner. But once a barrel is prepared, the method is simplicity itself — and truly kind to new plaster, quartz and pebble surfaces in pools and spas. [more]

FEATURE ARTICLE

Smooth Ambition

Achieving perfection in an all-glass-tile pool/spa project is always a team effort. But in a project as elaborate as this one, notes Jimmy Reed, the nature of the material offers special challenges as he and his expert tile installers work to make the visual magic happen. [more]

ESSENTIAL

The Subtlest Flows

In his work as a landscape artist and custom watershaper, Robert Nonemaker often uses rills — small channels that simply and gracefully move water from one place to another — to bring interesting rhythms and harmonies to his garden spaces. Although these features tend to be less than assertive, he notes, the way water moves through their narrow slots can do wonders when it comes to adding depth and detail to watershape designs.

This article, originally published in WaterShapes in April 2008, has been digitized for all readers. Click here to see the full text and enlarge the images to study the craftsmanship in detail.

TRAVELOGUE

Radiant History

Traveling in Portugal, Paolo Benedetti happened on Roman ruins that opened his eyes to new design possibilities — and to technologies used to heat ancient indoor swimming pools and public baths. All in all, it might be a great place to stop on your next visit! [more]

WATERSHAPES WORLD

A Flying Start

To mark the start of a brand New Year for both WaterShapes and the broad readership it serves, Jim McCloskey offers a list of resolutions about technologies and possibilities he’d like to see watershapers (and their suppliers) take immediately to heart. [more]

WE BROWSE SO YOU DON’T HAVE TO . . .

Snap Your Fingers Dept.: A goal-oriented John Lennon once wrote a song to pay for a swimming pool. [more]

You may recognize its ultra-appropriate title: ‘Help!’

Make It Work Dept.: Michigan brewery traps and harvests pond-generated yeast to make its tasty beverages. [more]

Let’s hope that’s all they’re trapping and harvesting!

WATERSHAPES CLASSIC

Off the Deep End

Always opinionated, David Tisherman expressed strong ideas in 2006 about the ways pools should be designed and built — especially when it came to one key decision, both for new work and renovations. [more]

THE SHOPPING CART

Deck-O-Seal Introduces One-Part Joint Sealant

Deck-O-Seal (Hampshire, IL) produces HS-1 SL, a one-part, self-leveling joint sealant for horizontal expansion joints in swimming pool decks, patios and walkways. Packaged in a 62-ounce pouch, all it takes is screwing on the supplied application tip and squeezing the material into the joint. The foil pouch can then be resealed for later use. For details, click here.

Hayward Launches ColorLogic Light Controller

Hayward Pool Products (Elizabeth, NJ) has announced the release of the ColorLogic Light Controller, an easy-to-install unit designed to control the company’s low-voltage, customizable LED lighting systems. The wall-mounted device has an adjusting dial and a preview window, offering ten fixed colors as well as seven color-changing light shows. For details, click here.

WPN UPDATE

The Next
Big Step

The WaterShapes Professional Network is about to take a giant leap forward: Starting this week, we’ll be contacting all members with procedures for adding the WPN Member Badge to their own web sites’ home pages. Once these linkages are established, the WPN Community will begin to pulse as a true network — and become a high-profile draw for search engines as well as a far better vehicle for making contact with prospective clients.

The Network is growing: Shouldn’t you be climbing aboard?