WaterShapes

Raising the Floor
  Sometimes you never know how one thing can lead to another. That's certainly been true of my journey into the world of swimming pools and specifically movable pool floors. Today, our company Custom Pool Systems is making steady headway into the market by offering a system that solves many of the challenges associated with movable pool floors - but it did take us time to get there. My first contact with the pool industry was 25 years ago when
Detail: P783
  With this edition of WaterShapes, Dave Peterson introduces 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.  
Diving Deep
Ask the Masters has 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.  
Across the Platforms
 Watershape University is sensitive to the fact that our industry is facing unprecedented demand and an ongoing shortage of skilled labor, all during the current global pandemic. Add it all up and the ability to adapt has never been more crucial. Case in point, we had scheduled a much-anticipated live presentation of ENG2311: Essential Fluid Engineering for
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, writes Chris Thomas, that helps these inviting, entertaining features serve the broadest possible spectrum of visitors.  Creating inclusive play areas is a priority for parks, aquatic facilities and other public places where people gather. From the watershaping perspective, it's part of a current trend in which many recreation departments, homeowner associations, and community centers are installing
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 why Steve Kenny infuses his design and construction approaches with awareness of the basic needs of gourmet water.  
Learning by Adventure
Editor's note: Welcome back to Open Waters, the space where we explore the wide world of water in a series of blogs, book reviews, charitable profiles, and travelogues. The topic of this 2nd edition profile was brought to our attention by Wallace "J" Nichols, author of "Blue Mind" and co-founder (with Watershape University) of the Live Blue Foundation.
Hydraulic Harmony
Editor's note: 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 by Dave Penton about a key factor in system engineering.  
Finding Fountains
Back in the 1960s there was a sign on a road entering Alaska that read, "Choose your rut carefully - you will be in it for the next 200 miles." Changing lanes in business can be stressful and risky, but sometimes it's the wisest choice because the road you're on could be leading nowhere. That's what happened to our company, Laughing Waters. I started out in the pond business as a teenager and for years we were full-speed ahead installing naturalistic water features, including ponds, streams