philosophy

The Company You Keep
'If you ask a roomful of watershapers about the toughest of the basic business challenges they face,' wrote Brian Van Bower in opening his Aqua Culture column for January 2005, 'there's little doubt in my mind that a large percentage of them would say that finding, hiring and keeping good employees is near the top of the list.' 'Depending upon several factors - the size of your company, its business volume, its focus and how much work you submit to outside contractors - your own approach
Giving to Receive
'The notion that we should do all we can to exceed client expectations,' wrote Brian Van Bower to open his August 2009 Aqua Culture column, 'is one we hear trumpeted in almost every inspirational business seminar and in nearly every keynote speech during trade shows.    'There are very good reasons for
2019/7.2, July 24 — Digital Delights from the WaterShapes Archives — and more
THE ESSENTIAL E-NEWSLETTER FOR WATERSHAPE DESIGNERS, ENGINEERS AND BUILDERS July 24, 2019 www.watershapes.com FEATURE ARTICLE/August…
Solid Foundations
'When it comes to just about anything that matters in life,' wrote Brian Van Bower to open his June 1999 Aqua Culture column, 'the difference between success and failure is often your mindset and the attitude you bring to each situation, event or occasion.   'That's a huge generalization,' he added, 'but it's something I consider each and every time I prepare myself for
2019/6.2, June 19 — Botanical Bravura, Inventing an Illusion, Stylish Steps and more
THE ESSENTIAL E-NEWSLETTER FOR WATERSHAPE DESIGNERS, ENGINEERS AND BUILDERS June 19, 2019 www.watershapes.com GARDEN ENCHANTMENT…
A Big Sky Statement
My work as a landscape architect is usually recognized for two distinguishing characteristics - first for the inspiration I draw from my friend and mentor, the late, great Brazilian environmental artist Roberto Burle Marx, and then for my driving ambition to preserve and restore habitats, as expressed in projects throughout South Florida and across the Florida Keys and various islands in the Caribbean and the West Indies. This is why seeing the project discussed here comes as something of a surprise to many who are familiar with my work: It's located in Big Timber, Mont., a blip on the road between
A Long, Strange Trip
As this newsletter appears, I'll be heading north to Paso Robles, Calif., to participate in the 20th Anniversary Celebration for Genesis - very much aware of the fact that it's a two-decade landmark for WaterShapes, too: We started pre-launch activities related to the magazine at about the same time the founders of Genesis began organizing their
Toxin-Free Choices
  Wrapping up his series on a comprehensive approach to healthier pool water, John Cohen goes into great detail in defining system components and making specific product recommendations.
2017/7.1, July 12 — Colorado Dreaming, Poolside Flames, Vanishing-Edge Walls and more
THE ESSENTIAL E-NEWSLETTER FOR WATERSHAPE DESIGNERS, ENGINEERS AND BUILDERS July 12, 2017 www.watershapes.com FEATURE ARTICLE…
2017/6.2, June 21 — Sparkling Beauty, Glowing Artistry, A Righteous Rill and more
THE ESSENTIAL E-NEWSLETTER FOR WATERSHAPE DESIGNERS, ENGINEERS AND BUILDERS June 21, 2017 www.watershapes.com FEATURE ARTICLE…