Tag: techniques

The Best Remedy

Called in to clean up a mess made by another pool contractor, Grant Smith found that the problems were worse than met the eye. But he still managed to save the day, pulling together a lovely pool, spa and deck that aligned closely with the client's original desires.By Grant Smith

In the course of my watershaping career, I’ve come to divide remodeling projects into two distinct categories.

The first is what I call cosmetic refurbishing. Here, all a homeowner usually wants is a superficial updating of a pool’s or spa’s appearance or performance through application of a new interior finish, some fresh waterline tile, maybe new coping and decking and, often, new equipment or perhaps a poolside waterfeature. I avoid these projects as energetically as possible because, typically, the challenges are thin and there’s little room for creativity.

The second category encompasses what I call

Pools of Light

10 year logoBy Mike Gambino

‘If there’s ever been such a thing as a match made in heaven, swimming pools and landscape lighting lay a strong claim to that perfection.’  That’s how Mike Gambino opened his Currents column in November 2009.

‘Separately, they take little-used spaces and transform them to all-day hubs of activity and sources of constant beauty.  Together, however, the magic

2019/8.2, August 21 — Spa Rescue, Clever Cards, Ethereal Gardens and more

THE ESSENTIAL E-NEWSLETTER FOR WATERSHAPE DESIGNERS, ENGINEERS AND BUILDERS August 21, 2019 www.watershapes.com FEATURE ARTICLE Stepping In Asked to work on a spa after a general contractor had started its construction using an ill-advised approach,Grant Smithmoved forward knowing there’d be conflicts on site — but confident that the clients had his back as he worked […]

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 Constrained Expanse Wrapping up a three-part series on his water-rich botanical gardens,Raymond Junglesnotes that these institutions areoften narrowly focused while wanting to be as inclusive as possible. It’s aduality that kept him busy in Miami Beach as he tried to […]

2019/4.2, April 17 — Gem State Fountain, Pond Assistance, San Diego Miscue and more

THE ESSENTIAL E-NEWSLETTER FOR WATERSHAPE DESIGNERS, ENGINEERS AND BUILDERS April 17, 2019 www.watershapes.com FEATURE ARTICLE Northern Exposure Building an elaborate, choreographed fountain in a public place is always a technical and logistical challenge. But in this case, noteJ. Wickham ZimmermanandChris Roy, the stakes were significantly raised by the developer’s bold vision as well as the […]

Advancing Technology

10 year logoBy Mark Holden

‘One of the longest-standing knocks against the pool and spa industry is that too many designers and builders rely too heavily on convention and seem disinclined to pursue new paths and ideas no matter how compelling they might be.’

That was the resounding note with which Mark Holden opened his Currents column in April 2009.  He continued:  ‘All too often, pool and spa professionals tend to keep on specifying and installing equipment they’ve used for years – even if it’s

Flowing in Light

It's a challenge designers and builders face every time they work with raised spas, waterfalls, grottoes or vanishing edges: Saving the best for last, Graham Orme completes his four-part series on underwater-lighting techniques by focusing here on various forms of water in transit. By Graham Orme

Today’s swimming pools, spas and waterfeatures have moved several steps beyond their traditional, classic forms in shape, complexity, visual interest and beauty – and so have the techniques and technologies involved in giving them a warm, inviting glow when evening comes.

Happily, we’re far past the bad old days when the common solution to most watershape lighting tasks was placement of a blinding, 500-watt incandescent bulb in a huge, visually intrusive niche: Through years of innovation, experimentation and refinement with light-emitting diodes (LEDs), lighting is now adding splendor and wonder to the pool/spa experience in compact, unobtrusive packages – a design asset that couldn’t

2018/3.2, March 21 — Inspired Participation, Illuminated Motion, Missouri Magic and more

THE ESSENTIAL E-NEWSLETTER FOR WATERSHAPE DESIGNERS, ENGINEERS AND BUILDERS March 21, 2018 www.watershapes.com FEATURE ARTICLE Seeking Engagement Getting down to cases,Robert MikulaandSimon Gardinerconclude a two-part series by highlighting three great fountains and discussing how planning for multiple layers of community involvement have resulted in their emergence as indispensable urban resources. [more] POOLSCAPES AFTER DARK Flowing […]

Looking at Lighting

Recent advances in light-emitting-diode technology have changed the nature of the pool-lighting task, notes Graham Orme. To explore this expanding range of illuminating possibilities, he begins here by defining the dynamics of lighting some familiar contours in all-new ways. By Graham Orme

The advent of underwater LED lighting has changed the way we look at and perceive swimming pools and spas once the sun goes down. In contrast to past days, when a single incandescent light blasted the eyes of anyone nearby, lighting is now a far subtler design feature – an intricate, integral part of a pool’s aesthetic presence and the key facilitator in creating an ideal backyard ambiance once the sun goes down.

But LED technology brings a learning curve with it – one that is even more of a challenge in an era when pool designs are increasingly dynamic and complex. And no matter whether you’re a veteran or a

2017/6.1, June 7 — Longwood Updated, A Troubled Pond, Artificial Grass and more

THE ESSENTIAL E-NEWSLETTER FOR WATERSHAPE DESIGNERS, ENGINEERS AND BUILDERS June 7, 2017 www.watershapes.com FEATURE ARTICLE Just Awesome It’s a bit misleading to say that Longwood Gardens’ Main Fountain Garden is ‘back,’ observes Robert Nonemaker, declaring that the $90 million revitalization has produced something that recalls the original — but exceeds it on so many levels […]