2019 Editions (January-June) Archives - Page 2 of 2

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

January 23, 2019 www.watershapes.com

FEATURE ARTICLE

A Healing Art

Healing gardens are now playing important roles for healthcare facilities of all descriptions, noteJ. Wickham ZimmermanandChris Roy. Here’s a look at a particularly prominent example of the genre — complete with a tricky site, an elaborate sculpture and 15 watershapes.[more]

FEATURE ARTICLE

The Evocative Mirror

Called in to rescue a troubled project,Jeromey Nauglefigured outwhat the client really wanted in no time at all — then had to cope with starts, stops and delays while delivering all of the features the homeowner craved to complete an impressively reflective backyard. [more]

TRAVELOGUE

An All-Comers Fountain

The Old Town District of Portland, Ore., boasts a 19th-century fountain with an odd functional twist — and enough charm that it stoppedJim McCloskeyin his tracks. It’s a classic in an interesting part of town, so do plan on spending time in its vicinity on your next visit. [more]

ESSENTIAL

Soothing Sounds

The sound of water moving through the landscape adds something special to any backyard, offering a powerful aesthetic component to even the simplest of designs. These auditory enhancements evoke strong images, emotions and associations even from casual or occasional observers, notes landscape designer and watershaperRick Anderson, who suggests that the ‘aural factor’ should be considered from the very beginning of the design phase.

This article, originally published inWaterShapesin June 1999, has been digitized for all readers. Clickhereto see the full text and enlarge the images to study them in detail.

TECHNICAL BRIEFING

Retaining Wall ABCs

Before retaining walls can be aesthetic triumphs, they require a foundation of technical excellence. The key to complete, balanced, enduring success, writesBruce Zaretsky, is a systematic approach that encompasses a wide range of fundamental site-specific factors. [more]

WATERSHAPES WORLD

A Beautiful Partnership

A televised news story about an innovative alliance that reopened a school pool in East Boston has been much onJim McCloskey‘s mind since he first watched it last fall. He shares it now because it offers a creative, collaborative message of hope as the New Year begins. [more]

WE BROWSE SO YOU DON’T HAVE TO . . .

Postal Display Dept.:New York City’s historic Bethesda Fountain appears on a new expedited-mail stamp.

[more]

At $25.50, it’s the most expensive peel-and-stick ever.

Uncharitable Thoughts Dept.:City of Rome threatens to keep coins thrown into Trevi Fountain for itself. [more]

It was a bad idea — and a key figure eventually agreed.

WATERSHAPES CLASSIC

In Service of Trees

Back in 2009,Bruce Zaretskywrote with uncommon urgency about the way trees are often treated on job sites and used his column to advise watershape and landscape professionals to mend their ways. [more]

THE SHOPPING CART

Hayward Introduces Pleated-Element D.E Filters

Hayward Pool Products(Elizabeth, NJ) has launched the DEP 500 series of pleated-element diatomaceous-earth filters. Designed to trap more dirt with less maintenance, the units combine cartridge technology with the superior water clarity and low head loss of D.E. filtration using elements that can be backwashed or quickly removed and rinsed. For details, clickhere.

Skimmer Lids Unveils the Hide System for Pool Decks

Skimmer Lids(Yatala, Queensland, Australia) has introduced the Hide skimmer lid for concrete swimming pools. Made of 316 stainless steel and offering a range of depths to accommodate various filler materials, the unit comes with a safety key, height adjusters and an edge-protection system that keeps surrounding material from chipping or breaking. For details, clickhere.

WPN UPDATE

The Hunt for

Excellence

When homeowners or facility managers start looking for watershapers to help them pursue their ambitions and dreams, where do they start? Some are fortunate enough to have business contacts or friends who can refer them to worthy professionals. But these days, many start their searching on the Internet — a great but indiscriminate resource filled with blind alleys, dead ends and sometimes unreliable information.

That’s where theWaterShapes Professional Networkcomes in: By offering a credible, unified web presence in which numerous watershapers convey uniformly formatted, comparable information in an easily navigated template,WPNgives consumers initial access to the marketplace in an easygoing environment that guides them through the earliest stages of a significant purchase decision.

TheNetworkis working just the way we’d hoped: Time toclickaboard?

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

January 9, 2019 www.watershapes.com

FEATURE ARTICLE

Up from the Ruins

After leaving us with a cliffhanger last month,Scott Christiefollows up here with information on the clients’ surprise request and on the process of bringing the backyard into final form with — in addition to the original pool and spa — a new pond system and, oh yes, a crumbling ruin. [more]

WHAT IS IT?

#32: Umbrellas

If you want to add a charming touch to a project, writesMike Farleyin introducing this brief video, you need look no further than a classic shade provider — easy to place, easy on the budget and, perhaps best of all, a timeless mood-setter and cue to complete outdoor relaxation. [more]

EASTERN INSIGHT

Hail the Queen

India’s ancient stepwells were about much more than providing their thirsty communities with water. AsVictoria Lautmandiscusses in the second of three articles on these structures, facilities including Rani ki Vav also served both men and women as multi-purpose gathering spots.[more]

ESSENTIAL

Spheres of Influence

During the past decade or so, fountains that feature rotating granite balls have become familiar in myriad settings, from theme parks to upscale backyards. The trick of floating weighty rock spheres on thin sheets of water in rounded sockets is actually a simple one, says fountain expertAnne Gunn, but it’s nonetheless an effect that is utterly fascinating to children and adults who enjoy moving hugely heavy objects with the slightest of touches.

This article, originally published inWaterShapesin January 2006, has been digitized for all readers. Clickhereto see the full text and enlarge the images to study them in detail.

TRAVELOGUE

The New American Garden

The gardens ofJames van Swedenhave influenced an entire generation of landscape architects and designers. Few are more influential than the Great Basin at the Chicago Botanic Garden: It’s well worth a lingering visit the next time you find yourself in the Windy City. [more]

WATERSHAPES WORLD

Hello, 2019!

In his first blog of this brand-new year,Jim McCloskeyis announcing his intention to devote more and more space to a certain type of editorial and product content in upcoming editions of this newsletter. While on the subject, he also has an important, related favor to ask of all of you.[more]

WE BROWSE SO YOU DON’T HAVE TO . . .

Dazzling Display Dept.:These portraits of exotic fish treat us to a seldom-seen world of amazing beauty.

[more]

For all that, these guys relentlessly fight among themselves.

Higher Art Dept.:Photographer Milan Radisics captures images of water as you’ve probably never seen it. [more]

There’s exceptional beauty even on our troubled planet.

WATERSHAPES CLASSIC

Hard Choices

Early in 2004,Stephanie Rosewrote passionately in her column about the effective use of rocks in landscapes and gardens. Do you think you know why she assigned so much importance to these materials?[more]

THE SHOPPING CART

Fire & Water Bowls from Grand Effects

Grand Effects(Rancho Santa Margarita, CA) offers 360° Fire & Water Bowls for outdoor living spaces. The products combine fire and water effects and come in a variety of sizes, shapes and finishes with certified burner assemblies for natural gas or propane operation. They generate 60,000 to 80,000 Btus per hour with 30 to 50 gpm water flows. For details, clickhere.

Daldorado Launches Pool-Grate Support System

Daldorado(Naples, FL) has introduced the DalLUX stone and tile grate-support system for use on straight, parallel pools. The system features 12-inch-wide supports and mitered corners to which cut-to-size stone or tile pieces are attached using a supplied adhesive and spacer lugs. The resulting grates have load capacities in excess of 5,000 pounds. For details, clickhere.

WPN UPDATE

Expanding

Influence

The rationale for banding together in a web network is simple: By creating a mass of companies — every single one of them with its own Internet presence and all of them effectively aligned to one another by virtue of reciprocal links with the hosting site — an entity such as theWaterShapes Professional Networkmakes every participant seem larger and inherently more interesting to search engines. This leads to more exposure, more leads, more clicks, more prospective clients.

To see what this kind of community looks like, have a look by clicking below.

TheNetworkis working just the way we’d hoped: Time toclickaboard?