2020/10.1, October 7 — More Contrasts, Stacking Steel, Rising Higher and more

2020/9.2, September 16 — Striking Contrasts, Steel Detail, Purposeful Wreckage and more

DESIGN ENGINEERING CONSTRUCTION

THE DEFINITIVE RESOURCE FOR PROFESSIONALS AND CONSUMERS

WHO MAKE WATER AND OUTDOOR LIVING PART OF THEIR LIVES

October 7, 2020

www.watershapes.com

FEATURE ARTICLE

A Study in Contrasts, Part 2

Here, in the second part of a dual project profile, Reid Schindler discusses the sleek, contemporary design he created right next door to a completely rustic, free-form pool he discussed in WaterShapes’ last edition. It’s an entirely different (and appropriate) set of design criteria, challenges and solutions.[more]

BENEATH THE SURFACE

Detail: S032B

Preventing voids or ‘shadows’ during shotcrete application is always crucial — and particularly tricky in designs in which the steel must be close together. In those cases, writes Dave Peterson, consider this detail.[more]

FEATURE ARTICLE

Rising High, Part 2

Mark and Zachary Trapani specialize in elevated, above-grade pools, mostly above the concrete canyons of New York City. As they discuss here in the second and final part of this series, it’s a niche that requires careful analysis, creativity and sharp eyes for detail — especially in existing buildings.[more]

A Shining Takeaway

Given the industry’s current struggles to keep up with the overwhelming demand for watershapes, Eric Herman suggests that it’s time to consider what’s driving the buying frenzy – and spend some time in the buyer’s shoes.[more]

DIRECT CONNECTIONS

Chemistry is for Everyone

This time, the folks at Ask the Masters and Pool Pro Podcasts delve into the many reasons why understanding water chemistry and how it can best be managed is beneficial to both watershapers and consumers.[more]

Expanding Blue Mind

The Blue Mind concept popularized by author and marine biologist Wallace “J” Nichols manifests itself in a numerous ways — and the message is spreading, as can be seen in a spectrum of online resources that echo and amplify the profundity of an aquatic lifestyle as well as a broader appreciation of science and the natural world.[more]

WOLFPACK CORNER

Estimating Success

Accurate cost estimating is essential for all successful watershape-construction businesses — especially when sales activity is at a frenzied pace. That in mind, Dave Peterson is preparing an upcoming live, online course on job costing that couldn’t be more timely.[more]

ESSENTIAL

Emotional Foundations

At their best, say landscape artists and educators Cynthia and Gary Kinman, watershape and landscape design and construction are integrated reflections of the clients’ personalities and desires — and even their feelings about family and life itself. A case in point is the huge project profiled here, in which the pair used their technical skill, patience and personal ideals to transform a steep, forbidding hillside into a client-centered celebration.

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

We Browse

So You Don’t Have To…

Accommodation Upgrades: A Hawaiian masterpiece heads a list of stunning pools that raise the bar for design.[more]

Perfect for anyone who needs to recharge a bucket list.

The Downward-Diving Dog: A seven-year-old whippet named Spitfire has dock-diving prowess must be seen to be believed as he flies the length of the pool and brings home the gold.[more]

He makes it look easy because, for him, it’s all about the treats he gets after a performance!

Pentair Offers AcuPort Control Unit

Pentair Pool Products(Sanford. NC) brings remote-control capabilities to commercial equipment rooms by combining its AcuPort modules with the company’s Acu-Trol controller and a facility’s LAN service to provide secure system access via Windows-based laptops and other devices that are part of its WiFi network or through the Internet. For details, clickhere.

FAFCO Offers Hybrid Heating System

FAFCO(Chico, CA.) has introduced CoolPV, a hybrid photo-voltaic/solar pool-water heating system that generates household electricity while simultaneously heating water in the same rooftop footprint. In addition, water flowing through the panels to be heated also serves to cool the photo-voltaic panels to extend the panels’ service lives. For details, clickhere.

Corporate Engagement Teammates

Watershape Universityappreciates the support of the following industry leaders. . .

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

September 16, 2020 www.watershapes.com

FEATURE ARTICLE

A Study in Contrasts, Part 1

WatershaperReid Schindlerwas asked to create side-by-side designs for neighboring business partners. The kicker, he says in the first of a pair of articles, was that the two projects were direct stylistic opposites.[more]

BENEATH THE SURFACE

Detail: S032

Avoiding ‘shadowing’ in the shotcrete-placement process is crucial to the structural integrity of pool shells, notesDave Peterson. Here, he shares a detail that dodges the void creation that can lead to structural compromises. [more]

FEATURE ARTICLE

A Beautiful Wreck

Part of a team that recently completed an intricate splash pad on the shores of Washington’s scenic Puget Sound,Kent Walkerguides a tour of a design centered on a faux shipwreck — and its cargo of interactive features.[more]

ESSENTIAL

Forms and Figures

Water and works of art have been near-constant companions for millennia, but that traditional pairing seems to be generating new enthusiasm, says watershape designer/builderRandy Beard, with more and more property owners seeking to make unique statements by putting artworks on display in and around water. He takes a look at this emerging trend here, using a number of his recent projects in southern California to illustrate the point.

This article, originally published inWaterShapesin July 2008, has been digitized for all readers. Clickhereto see the full text and enlarge the images to study the craftsmanship in detail.

DIRECT CONNECTIONS

Exploring New Efficiency Rules

It might be the biggest change the pool industry has seen since passage of the Virginia Graeme Baker Act: The U.S. Dept. of Energy is banning most single-speed pumps and changing the way all of these devices are rated. [more]

WATERSHAPES WORLD

Culture of Conflict

Will a flood of litigation compromise the watershaping industry’s reputation and/or success — and how might ‘alternative dispute resolution’ fit into the picture? Here’sEric Herman‘s take on both fronts. [more]

OPEN WATERS

The Journey

into Design

The discipline of landscape architecture is based on a single process, saysMike Farley, that can be applied to a variety of design types. Here’s how you can pick up this systematic approach without having to go to college. [more]

WE BROWSE SO YOU DON’T HAVE TO . . .

Pools by Architects:Ten beautiful watershapes set high standards for creativity and integrated design. [more]

There’s a reason these designers are all renowned.

Beautiful Derelicts:Even abandoned swimming pools can be visually appealing, even if they’re a little gross.[more]

I guess it reallyisall in the eye of the beholder.

WOLFPACK CORNER

Fluid Engineering

Goes Digital

In a ground-breaking presentation, Watershape University’s Essential Fluid Engineering Workshop spread out over two intensive days of online instruction — and it may have been a first-ever event for the industry. To learn more, clickhere.

Bradford Offers Custom Waterfalls

Bradford Products(Leland, NC) offers its Bradford FX line of sheeting waterfalls. The units create continuous, unbroken sheets of water that cascade into a surrounding basin or pool and come in two formats — either fully enclosed and pressure driven or set up as a simple overflow system in which water fills an open trough before cascading. For details, clickhere.

Original Statuary from World of Bronze

World of Bronze(Las Vegas, NV) fabricates fountains and statuary made of solid bronze. Made using the lost-wax process, the cast products are initially finished to a multi-tone, antique patina with hand-applied highlights; these variations in color and intensity are then hand-rubbed to bring out details and textures in ways that recall classic works of art. For details, clickhere.

2020/9.1, September 2 — European Influence, Veneer Details, Artful Waterfalls and more

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

September 2, 2020 www.watershapes.com

FEATURE ARTICLE

Design and Desire

Working with an ample budget, great clients and a large, open canvas all spelled ‘opportunity’ forJason Brownlee— a chance to integrate multiple design elements into a composition in which water, stone, tile and fire define a European look that also offers a dash of mystery.[more]

BENEATH THE SURFACE

Detail: A201

This time,Dave Petersonshares a simple, reliable way to extend stone veneer from the deck surface all the way down into the pool’s interior. It’s a great way, he suggests, to create a transition from dry to wet surfaces that is durable, graceful — and visually seamless.[more]

FEATURE ARTICLE

Art of the Waterfall

No matter whether it’s a pond, stream or swimming pool, waterfalls are an appealing part of the composition — which is whyLarry Carnesincludes them in most of his projects. Here, he shares some approaches to making these features both naturalistic and completely mesmerizing. [more]

ESSENTIAL

Liquid Glass

The relationship between glass and water can be a powerful one, saysJohn Gilbert Luebtow, a modernist sculptor who uses water to spectacular effect in some of his work. Here, he explores the nature of that relationship while describing three major projects in which the ‘visual dance’ between water and glass is expressed in multi-dimensional shapes and sweeping, organic lines.

This article, originally published inWaterShapesin January 2001, has been digitized for all readers. Clickhereto see the full text and enlarge the images to study the craftsmanship in detail.

DIRECT CONNECTIONS

Botched Plaster Bonding

For more than three decades, concerns about plaster have beset the pool industry with a variety of contentious questions and pointed debates. If there’s one thing almost everyone agrees on, however, it’s that there’s a need for a reliable interface between concrete and plaster.[more]

WATERSHAPES WORLD

Imagination in Demand

As the weird summer of 2020 strectches toward the fall, watershapers continue to report unprecedented sales activity. Perhaps that sweltering demand justifies charging design fees, suggestsEric Herman— and maybe kicking them up a notch or two as demand meets supply. [more]

OPEN WATERS

Long Live

the Sundlaugs

Despite its position just a few degrees south of the Arctic Circle, the smallisland nation of Iceland arguably leads the world in its passion for public swimming pools.Eric Hermanfinds this Icelandic embrace of the aquatic lifestyle both amazing and inspiring — and ample motivation for a bit of vocabulary expansion. [more]

WE BROWSE SO YOU DON’T HAVE TO . . .

Now You See It:Chinese architects create a mixed-use property that uses water in clever vignettes. [more]

Geometry, light and water can be a magical combination.

Legacy of a Master:One of the 20th Century’s most influential artists had a real flair for using water.[more]

Mr. Halprin made his own rules while redefining design.

WOLFPACK CORNER

Living with

Devastation

This year’s fire season has once again wrought widespread destruction across several western states. For many, however, it’s much more than a story on the news but a life-altering tragedy.

One of those who suffered as a result of one such cataclysm is our own, blue-mindedWallace J Nichols, who lost his home in a firestorm that has consumed thousands of acres of forested land near Santa Cruz, Calif. To appreciate the way he’s evaluating and handling the situation,clickhere.

Pentair Premieres an LED Bubbler

Pentair Pool & Spa Equipment(Sanford, NC) has released the ColorVision Bubbler, a combination of ColorVision Niche and Pentair GloBrite LED lights that produces vivid fountain-like water movement. The low-voltage system requires minimal water flow and brings a colorful, energy-efficient element to pools, ponds, fountains and more. For details, clickhere.

Hudson Aquatic Offers Treadmill Systems

Hudson Aquatic(Angola, IN) makes the AquaGaiter, a drop-in underwater treadmill designed to upgrade any facility or backyard with all the benefits of rehabilitation, aquatic conditioning or general exercise as part of a wellness program. The units feature variable-speed adjustments and are available with heavy-duty and high-speed options. For details, clickhere.

2020/8.2, August 19 — Splashy Invitations, Cool Skimmer Details, Floors in Motion and more

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

August 19, 2020 www.watershapes.com

FEATURE ARTICLE

Splashing for All

Splash pads have jumped in popularity by bringing fun to a variety of public spaces. But there’s one key factor to keep in mind in their design and installation, writesChris Thomas, that helps these inviting, entertaining features serve the broadest possible spectrum of visitors. [more]

BENEATH THE SURFACE

Detail: P783

With this edition of WaterShapes,Dave Petersonintroduces a new, ongoing series that will focus on plan schematics builders can use to improve, fine-tune and fortify their projects. He starts here with a simple way to eliminate visual insults to waterline tile and interior finishes.[more]

FEATURE ARTICLE

Raising the Floor

Movable pool floors have been around a long time, but perfecting and popularizing the concept has proved an elusive goal. Here,Diego Merkenbreakexplores the process of changing that situation — and making these projects more functional, reliable andcommon. [more]

ESSENTIAL

A Window into Nature

Microsoft’s corporate campus near Seattle has been the birthplace of much of the world’s most significant consumer-electronics technology. When it came time to adorn the ultramodern facility with a watershape of it own, writesJon Mitovich, the scope and complexity of the system was intended to reflect the scale and grandeur of the world’s most famous software company — and to fill a circumscribed space as though it had been there from time immemorial.

This article, originally published inWaterShapesin February 2003, has been digitized for all readers. Clickhereto see the full text and enlarge the images to study the craftsmanship in detail.

DIRECT CONNECTIONS

Diving Deep

Ask the Mastershas released a detailed, four-part series of podcasts profiling a stunning, challenging residential project in Scottsdale, Ariz., that includes multi-layered waterproofing, acrylic-panel installation, an all-tile finish — and an incredible level of on-site coordination.[more]

WATERSHAPES WORLD

Trade Show Respite

It looks as though in-person, traditional trade shows won’t be happening for a while. But asEric Hermanpoints out, when these events do come back, they will likely do so with renewed vigor — and might even be accompanied by what could prove to be popular online versions as well. [more]

OPEN WATERS

Comedic

Chasm

There’s a long tradition of pools being used in movies to great dramatic effect, but portrayals of the pool and spa industry itself are nearly non-existent. One exception, reportsJim McCloskey, can be found in the 1967 filmDon’t Make Waves, which features a comedic take on the glamorous life of a “pool tycoon.”[more]

WE BROWSE SO YOU DON’T HAVE TO . . .

Bird’s-Eye Pools:Photographer releases series of striking swimming pool photos that qualify as high art. [more]

Hockney has a rival with these aquatic dreamscapes.

Speaking of Hockney:Here’s whythis artist’s iconic paintings continue to inspire and provoke us.[more]

They are the crown jewels of the pools-as-art genre.

WOLFPACK CORNER

Across the

Platforms

WatershapeUniversityis responding to the current health crisis with caution and optimism by offering both online programs as well as in-person events in the fall.

Whether you attend via a computer screen or in a physical classroom, the scheduled programs are designed to provide much-needed fundamental education. If you want to know more about what this means to you as a watershaper, clickhere.

THE SHOPPING CART

Hayward Manufactures Waterproof Remotes

Hayward Pool Products(Clemons, NC offers the programmable, fully rechargeable and completely waterproof AquaPod to take pool and spa control right into the water. Backlighted for nighttime use and engineered to float horizontally, the units enable users to turn up the heat, turn on the lights or activate waterfeatures with just a touch. For details, clickhere.

A&A Launches Line of Waterfeatures

A&A Manufacturing(Phoenix, AZ) produces LivingWaters fixtures that use six custom-configured jets to bring continuous, ever-changing dancing-water effects to pools, spas and other waterfeatures. The height-adjustable nozzles can retract flush with a watershape’s floor when not in use and can also be installed as stand-alone enhancements for backyards. For details, clickhere.

2020/8.1, August 5 — Getting into Fountains, Building for Service, Hydraulic Basics and more

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

August 5, 2020 www.watershapes.com

FEATURE ARTICLE

Finding Fountains

Moving from backyard ponds to commercial fountains is a big leap, saysTim Krzeminski, one that requires diligence, expanded skill sets and organizational discipline — not to mention the raw courage needed to tackle bigger, more complex systems with huge public profiles.[more]

GOURMET WATER

The Art of Service

Pool service can be complex and challenging, with the level of difficulty largely determined by decisions a builder makes long before a technician ever shows up. That’s whySteve Kennyinfuses his design and construction approaches with awareness of the basic needs of gourmet water. [more]

DIRECT CONNECTIONS

Hydraulic Harmony

Welcome to ‘Direct Connections,’ a new department that is now part of the WaterShapes feature array. What you’ll find here are videos and multi-media presentations on technical and business topics — including this podcast byDave Pentonabout a key factor in system engineering.[more]

ESSENTIAL

Softening Edges

Among all of the elements defining superior naturalistic watershapes, accomplished pond/stream specialists know that edge treatments are generally what separates great work from the ordinary. Here, watershaperSteve Sandalishighlights these transitions, sharing techniques he uses to soften edges and create areas where grassy verges, plants, beaches and rocks combine to make impressions in various and seamlessly beautiful ways.

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

SPACE RELATIONS

Eastern Eclectic

Five years in the making, this project pushed his team to explore the limits of their creativity, saysBen Dozier. The result is a set of garden rooms that involve classic styles, plantings, sculptures, garden ornaments and fine hardscape treatments. And then, of course, there’s the water.[more]

WATERSHAPES WORLD

Fire-Fighting Pools

The concept of fighting fires with pool water has been around for decades, observesEric Herman. But despite the brutal logic in support of deploying systems to make it possible, too many pools in fire-prone areas are simply not equipped to help in knocking down the flames. [more]

OPEN WATERS

Learning by

Adventure

In this edition,Eric Hermanchecks in on a program that provides teens and young adults with life-altering learning experiences — in this case courtesy of an ambitious organization that challenges them to build a schooner that serves in equal parts as sailing ship and classroom.[more]

WE BROWSE SO YOU DON’T HAVE TO . . .

Status Symbols:An insightful look at how the swimming pool became an iconic symbol of the good life. [more]

It’s about way more than keeping up with the Joneses!

Mid-Century Magic:Check out these simple (yet stunning) martini-modern swimming pool designs.[more]

Frank, Dean and Sammy would be immensely proud.

WOLFPACK CORNER

Constructive

Engagement

Support from businesses within the watershaping industry enables Watershape University to provide top-flight educational programs on line — and, in the not-too-distant future, live and in person.

But it’s more than the usual sort of sponsorship. Instead, it’s what we callengagement.If you want to know what that means to you as a watershaper, clickhereto learn more.

THE SHOPPING CART

Palapa Structures Makes Palapas and Tiki Huts

Palapa Structures(Los Angeles, CA) specializes in palapa and tiki-hut structures in a variety of formats featuring one- to four-pole configurations and sizes ranging from seven- to 12-feet across. Made with a double layer of thatch and four-section steel frame assemblies, the covers come with African reed, bamboo or SynthThatch – or as snap-on panels. For details, clickhere.

Fountain People Improves Fountain-In-A-Can

Fountain People(San Marcos, TX) has upgraded its familiar Fountain-in-a-Can (FIAC) product line with a new, manual Integral Throttling Valve that allows a fountain’s water height to be adjusted from the top-plate without ever having to enter the fixture: On-site adjustments are now fast and easy using a wrench at the surface of the fountain. For details, clickhere.

2020/7.2, July 22 — Change-Ready Clients, Celebrity Pondcraft, Solar Pursuits and more

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

July 22, 2020 www.watershapes.com

FEATURE ARTICLE

Patient Perfection

While true perfection is an elusive goal,Grant Smithbelieves in pursuing it by exceeding engineering and construction standards and paying attention to fine aesthetic details. And as he reports here, sometimes he ends up chasing it for clients who like to change their minds.[more]

FEATURE ARTICLE

The Shaq Pond

Installing a pond for basketball legend Shaquille O’Neal was a personal thrill, notesGreg Wittstock. But even if he and the all-star project team were a little bit starstruck, they stayed focused and approached the work as an expression of aquatic art at the highest level. [more]

FEATURE ARTICLE

Pathways to Efficiency

Creating swimming pools that save on energy costs is a consuming passion forDouglas Cook. As he explains here, he achieves best results with combinations of energy-smart solutions — often including solar heating and power generation — that can lead to dramatic savings.[more]

ESSENTIAL

The Science of Lighting

When designed and installed properly, a landscape lighting system enables clients to enjoy their watershapes and landscapes well after the sun goes down. But achieving those satisfactory results, says lighting expertMike Gambino, requires an understanding not only of the aesthetics of lighting design, but also an appreciation of the technology behind the beauty and an ability to lay components out in ways that electrically balance the system.

This article, originally published inWaterShapesin February 2008, has been digitized for all readers. Clickhereto see the full text and enlarge the images to study the craftsmanship in detail.

SPATIAL CONNECTIONS

Refined Expressions

Water can be used in almost every setting to add interest, beauty and a sense of tranquility. But what that means in design terms changes in response to a setting’s needs and a client’s expectations, sayJanet RosenbergandGlenn Herman— and produces a spectrum of solutions.[more]

WATERSHAPES WORLD

A Cautionary Note

A surge in pool sales is a beautiful thing, observesEric Herman. But with this groundswell of popularity, it’s more important than ever to educate homeowners — especially those with young children or grandchildren — to be mindful of the value of safety and drowning prevention. [more]

OPEN WATERS

Oasis on the Prairie

Welcome to Open Waters, a brand-new WaterShapes feature in which we will explore the variety and creativity of the wide world of water with a rotating roster of blogs, travelogues and other discussions of all things aquatic — including this entry about a Tulsa, Okla., landmark.[more]

WOLFPACK CORNER

New Talent

Comes Aboard

Watershapes University is pleased to welcome Brett Herman to the Wolfpack.

The talented son of WaterShapes Editor Eric Herman, he’ll be responsible for social media outreach and database management for Watershape University while also providing editorial and digital support for WaterShapes.com. To learn more about him, clickhere.

WE BROWSE SO YOU DON’T HAVE TO . . .

Naturally Beautiful: A quick tour of some of America’s most stunning (and therapeutic) natural spaces. [more]

Be prepared for some additions to your bucket list!

Streaking Spiders:Asometimes unnerving visit with the prime water-surface athletes of the insect world.[more]

Impress clients with your knowledge of aquatic entomology.

THE SHOPPING CART

J&J Electronics Offers Nicheless Light Fixtures

J&J Electronics(Chino, CA) produces the ColorSplash VU RGB-W, a 1.5-inch, nicheless LED fixture for pool and spa applications. The light source features a variety of colors and can put on its own light shows to transform ordinary aquatic settings into custom, illuminated waterfeatures. The product also comes in a pure-white version. For details, clickhere.

Aquaview Makes Frameless Glass Fences

Aquaview Glass Fence & Railing Systems(New York, NY) offers a line of fully frameless glass railing systems. Providing crystal-clear views with a contemporary design that enhances all aquatic spaces, the systems are designed for strength and reliability even in high-wind zones and can be used to complete pool areas, balconies, decks and sea walls. For details, clickhere.

2020/7.1, July 8 — Lake Construction, Pond Completion, High-Rise Nuances and more

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

July 8, 2020 www.watershapes.com

FEATURE ARTICLE

Demise of the Water Hazard

Through the past 15 years, golf-course designs have embraced a distinctly minimalist approach. It’s a response, writesKen Alperstein, to the fact that the number of courses being built has shrunk dramatically — and that attitudes about water use are changing profoundly.[more]

POND INSIGHTS

A Perfect Coda

The conclusion of the pond installation process offers moments to create lasting client impressions. AsDave Gartonpoints in this final entry in his series on client relations, it’s a critical juncture where all of the physical work and management of expectations come together. [more]

FEATURE ARTICLE

Rising High: Part 1

When you work high above the ground, you have to see things from different angles, say high-rise specialistsMarkandZachary Trapani. The rigors and complexity of working with elevated watershape installations requires careful investigation and problem solving at every turn.[more]

ESSENTIAL

A Classic Crescendo

For most of a four-year stretch, landscape architect/contractor/watershaperMark Holdendevoted much of his professional energy to the creation of magnificent settings for Cima del Mundo, a grand estate high in the hills of Montecito, Calif. In two previous articles, he wrote about the nuts and bolts of the multi-phase project. Here, he steps back and offers a pictorial celebration to mark its completion.

This article, originally published inWaterShapesin July 2002, has been digitized for all readers. Clickhereto see the full text and enlarge the images to study the craftsmanship in detail.

SPATIAL CONNECTIONS

Forms and Figures

Water and art have been near-constant companions for millennia, but that traditional pairing seems to be generating new enthusiasm, saysRandy Beard, with more and more property owners seeking to make unique statements by putting artwork on display in and around water. [more]

WATERSHAPES WORLD

Remembering an Icon

When industry legend Howard Arneson passed away in June at age 99, he left behind a legacy of innovation that fueled industry growth in the mid-20th Century. Here,Eric Hermanhonors Arneson’s contributions with the help of two industry leaders who knew him well. [more]

LIVING BLUE

Just a Simple Pool

When you live in the blistering heat of the desert, a pool rises above its common status as a luxury, transformed instead into an absolute necessity. As Eric Herman has recently rediscovered, that ‘upgrade’ can happen with even the simplest of pools because, ultimately, it’s thewaterthat delivers the benefits rather than the tile, plaster, equipment pad or coping. [more]

WOLFPACK CORNER

From the

Studio

Watershape University’s sequence of Wolfpack Webinar Wednesdays continues to provide useful and engaging information every Hump Day afternoon.

If you haven’t been able to sit in on these sessions, or missed some along the way, clickhereto learn more and catch up!

WE BROWSE SO YOU DON’T HAVE TO . . .

Interior Magic:Artificial rock isn’t just for use outdoors, as this survey of indoor looks clearly reveals. [more]

A new decorative touch for pool houses and outbuildings?

Aquatic Architecture:These ten examples offer all comers a spectrum of dazzling design possibilities.[more]

Pushing the frontiers of architectural pool and pond design.

THE SHOPPING CART

Aquatica USA Provides Outdoor Showers

Aquatica USA(Miami, Fla.) has introduced Aquatica Gamma 515, a freestanding outdoor shower made of 316L stainless steel. Designed for cold-water rinsing, the unit features push-tap operation that delivers 20 to 25 seconds of cold water and then shuts off automatically. A hot-water mixing system is also available as an option. For details, clickhere.

Landscape Forms Makes Seating Systems

Landscape Forms(Kalamazoo, Mich.) has created the Link seating system – a line of modular outdoor furnishings intended to provide the convenience of an off-the-shelf product with the style of customized site furnishings. The wood slats allow for straight, mitered, arced or serpentine arrangements to suit the needs of almost any setting. For details, clickhere.

2020/6.2, June 24 — Design Fees, Lazy Rivers, Botched Concrete and more

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

June 24, 2020 www.watershapes.com

FEATURE ARTICLE

Charging for Design

Charging a fee for design work is one of the foundations of true professionalism across multiple disciplines. That’s whyMichael W. Nantzwon’t give away his watershape ideas, partly because it’s a solid revenue stream, but also because it builds up a base of pride and self-esteem. [more]

FEATURE ARTICLE

Riding the Lazy River

Animating water in the form of a lazy river inspires many prospective pool owners, explainsMike Farley. But the cost and level of difficulty quickly narrow the opportunities, both for clients concerned with affordability and builders who need an important set of design and technical skills.[more]

DO NO HARM

Bad Exposures

Tying form boards to structural steel is a huge mistake, saysPaolo Benedetti: There’s no standard or rationale that supports the practice, and as he notes here, that’s simply because doing so conjures a host of problems and can result in structurally incompetent walls and shells. [more]

ESSENTIAL

Integrated View

A spectacular site is often the foundation for extraordinary watershapes and landscapes, observesMelanie Mackenzie— and that certainly proved to be the case with this project. As seen here, she built upon elements suggested by the site and its surroundings to develop a fully integrated approach that ties the front and rear yards together in ways that delight the eye, cheer the spirit and encourage the contemplation of distant horizons.

This article, originally published inWaterShapesin August 2007, has been digitized for all readers. Clickhereto see the full text and enlarge the images to study the craftsmanship in detail.

SPATIAL CONNECTIONS

Graceful Reflections

The potency of water’s reflective nature is a component of watershaping that is all too often left to chance, notesAnthony Archer Wills, who recommends considering it from the outset of a project and using its subtle brilliance to transform the central experience of seeing water. [more]

WATERSHAPES WORLD

Conservation Works

At a time when good news seems hard to come by,Eric Hermanbucks the norm by sharing some facts and figures about water conservation over the last 40 years that give us all genuine cause for hope. Indeed, we may have more control over water use than most people think.[more]

LIVING BLUE

Achieving

Blue Mind: Part II

The aquatic lifestyle offers its benefits for everyone who participates. That’s why the Live Blue foundation is focused on expanding and celebrating the role of water in our lives. It’s also why, asWallace J. Nicholsdiscusses here, we all need to be conscious of the peace and vitality that results from aquatic experiences — and then go find them! [more]

WOLFPACK CORNER

Why

the Wolf?

Not long after Watershape University was established last summer, organizers decided to adopt the Wolf as the mascot and use the Wolfpack as the team nickname.

While it all was done largely in good fun, there are also some deeper “lupine” meanings that reflect WU’s values and long-term goals — as you will see by clickinghere.

WE BROWSE SO YOU DON’T HAVE TO . . .

Pioneering Effects:Installeda century ago, Longwood Garden’s fountains were ‘smart’ by any standard. [more]

And the technology was more advanced than you think.

Keeping Track:A tool for those who want to stay current with global trends in water-resource management. [more]

Heaps of useful and current data, all at your fingertips.

THE SHOPPING CART

Custom Spas from Bradford Products

Bradford Products(Leland, NC) produces pre-manufactured, custom, stainless steel spas to suit a wide spectrum of applications, including resorts, luxury hotels, private residences, aquatic centers or day spas. Ideal for rooftop and elevated-deck installations, the durable units are shipped fully fabricated, plumbed to stub-outs and ready for installation. For details, clickhere.

Splinter Works Offers Hammock Baths

Splinter Works(Somerset, United Kingdom) has combined the functionality of a bathtub with the comfort and shape of a hammock to create a line of unique vessels called Hammock Baths. Made of layered carbon fiber and foam, the vessels are designed for easy access and can be adapted to a variety of architectural and interior styles. For details, clickhere.

2020/6.1, June 10 — Lakeside Luxury, Outstanding Water, Sweltering Shotcrete and more

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

June 10, 2020 www.watershapes.com

FEATURE ARTICLE

Tasteful Extravagance

Patience, creativity and adaptability defined the design and installation process for this unique and beautiful project in Plantation, Fla. Along the way, explainsAndrew Kaner, the project team navigated multiple challenges while easing the way for clients who expected nothing but the best. [more]

GOURMET WATER

Imagine a World

Steve Kennybelieves it’s time for aquatic professionals to add a new specialty — one devoted entirely to elevating water quality in both commercial and residential settings. The first step, he says, is imagining a world in which excellence in water quality is simply the norm.[more]

FEATURE ARTICLE

Hot-Weather Shotcrete

Placing shotcrete in hot weather can be a risky proposition if you don’t follow basic guidelines. Success under these conditions, reportsWilliam Drakeley, calls for controlling concrete temperature and mix design while also managing details of the installation and curing processes. [more]

ESSENTIAL

Suburban Spaces

You really can find opportunities in unexpected places, insistsMehrnoosh, a Los Angeles architect and designer who enjoys making refined aesthetic statements in previously plain suburban environments. To illustrate her point, she takes us to a project in a modest neighborhood to define how simple architectural and landscape elements — and water — can bring elegance and tranquility to otherwise overlooked and underappreciated spaces.

This article, originally published inWaterShapesin February 2005, has been digitized for all readers. Clickhereto see the full text and enlarge the images to study the craftsmanship in detail.

SPATIAL CONNECTIONS

Picture Perfect

In a project so detailed it was covered in three early editions ofWaterShapes,David Tishermanpulled it all together in this feature on the completed project, offering a guided tour of a special space defined by views, physical and visual relationships and the sounds of moving water. [more]

WATERSHAPES WORLD

A Big Silver Lining

Is the residential swimming pool industry benefiting from the COVID-19 pandemic? According to designers and builders across the nation, notesEric Herman, phones are ringing with calls from homeowners looking for at-home recreation to find ways to more fully enjoy sheltering in place.[more]

LIVING BLUE

Achieving Blue Mind: Part 1

AuthorWallace J. Nicholscoined the term “Blue Mind” to represent the positive state of mind that can be achieved by interacting with water. Clickhereto read on as he begins a new series looking at how that phenomenon can unfold in our daily lives.

WOLFPACK CORNER

Ready

to Return

Mark your calendars asWatershape Universityreadies numerous courses for late summer!

Basic construction and other core courses are open for registration now. And if you’re concerned about COVID-19’s impact on future travel, simply reserve your seat for upcoming classes with zero risk! To learn more, clickhere.

WE BROWSE SO YOU DON’T HAVE TO . . .

How Water Works:As this text reveals,water treatment is ever-present, complex — and indispensable. [more]

This is something every watershaper should know well.

World’s Prettiest Waters:Enjoy a tour of the most beautiful waters on the planet with just one click.[more]

Absolutely no doubt about it, you’ll wish you were there!

THE SHOPPING CART

Pentair Introduces LED Laminar Jets

Pentair(Sanford, SC) produces MagicStream Laminars that add dramatic sights and soothing sounds to any watershape environment with LED-illuminated streams that reach up to seven feet high and project outward up to eight feet at adjustable angles. The laminars come fully assembled and ready to install and are designed for easy service. For details, clickhere.

Outdoor Great Room Offers Fire Tables

The Outdoor Great Room Co.(Burnsville, MN) offers the Havenwood, a gas fire-pit table that features contemporary style with ease of use. The textured top is made of stone-grey Everblend, and there’s a powder-coated gray metal base for a clean and durable look. Every tabletop is handcrafted with variations in color, texture and pattern. For details, click here.

2020/5.2, May 20 — Moody Installations, Fantastic Fountain, Plaster Color Fading and more

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

May 20, 2020 www.watershapes.com

POND INSIGHTS

Pond-Construction Chaos

Managing clients’ mood is as much a part of the pond-installation process as installing the liner. This is whyDave Gartonworks to build realistic expectations and keep thoughts trained on positive outcomes, seeing them as keys to problem-solvingandlong-term satisfaction.[more]

FEATURE ARTICLE

Fountain Fascination

The Station Park show fountain in Farmington, Utah, uses technology to attract and delight consumers in a competitive retail environment. With its cast of programmable effects choreographed to popular music, saysChris Thomas, it’s brought a certain theatrical flair to the setting.[more]

FEATURE ARTICLE

Why Colored Plaster Fades

Fading colored plaster is quite common, noteKim Skinner,Que HalesandDoug Latta. But it can be prevented with relative ease, they add, through awareness of a handful of factors driving color loss — the first step in making sure problems don’t arise with your clients’ pools. [more]

ESSENTIAL

Les Fontaines Internationales

Even under favorable circumstances, installing watershapes beyond the borders of your own country can offer formidable challenges. For his Canada-based fountain company, saysPaul L’Heureux, success in establishing effective communications, eliminating wasteful snags and performing up to clients’ expectations means following a clearly defined process — one that keeps his team and its work on track from start to finish, around the globe.

This article, originally published inWaterShapesin March 2000, has been digitized for all readers. Clickhereto see the full text and enlarge the images to study the craftsmanship in detail.

SPATIAL CONNECTIONS

Vertical Pursuits

As is true of all architectural forms, watershape design calls for thinking in three dimensions. In fact, notePaul RyanandE.C. Medley, the integration of a vertical dimension is crucial in contrasting with the sublime flatness of the water’s surface while also echoing the architectural setting.[more]

WATERSHAPES WORLD

By the Numbers

As familiar as water may be, there are so many things about it most don’t know — or choose not to consider. But it’s a fact, saysEric Herman: The world of water is full of fascinating factoids that can surprise, captivate, terrify and inspire even the most conscientious users of H20.[more]

LIVING BLUE

Angry Shores

Access to water has become so scarce and restrictive in certain areas there are some people who will stop at almost nothing to protect their spot on the shore. That’s one indication, observesEric Herman, of the value of owning a pool where true privacy and complete safety can be assured. [more]

WOLFPACK CORNER

Nurturing

Leaders

Watershape University is dedicated to creating an educational and certification structure that nurtures and empowers the industry’s next generation of leaders.

We know that any profession is only as good the people who populate it and we exist to nurture tomorrow’s leaders today. To learn more, clickhere.

WE BROWSE SO YOU DON’T HAVE TO . . .

Beyond the Swamp:As these scientists tell it, natural wetlands absolutelyteemwith ecological diversity.[more]

They may well be even more beautiful than you think.

Profitable Lagoons:Massive pool/lagoons have opened in spots across the U.S.– with many more to come.[more]

The big question is, are they really worth the investment?

THE SHOPPING CART

Twinscape Offers Moveable Floors

Twinscape North America(Campbell, CA) produces Hydrofloors, moveable-floor watershape systems made of stainless steel beams and plates. Units can be built to almost any required size and are engineered for reliable and easy operation with cable-and-pulley system and water-based hydraulic cylinders that move the floor to desired depths. For details, clickhere.

Clearwater Tech’s Ozone for Small Watershapes

Clearwater Tech(San Luis Obispo, CA) offers its Microzone Series, which uses corona discharge (CD) technology to eliminate odors and reduce chemical usage while providing superior ozone performance in a compact housing – perfect for residential spas, ornamental waterfeatures, small aquariums and a variety of small-scale watershapes. For details, clickhere.

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