Interior Pool Design: Light It Up

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The use of light emitting diode (LED) fixtures allows pool designers to position multiple lights throughout the pool interior. Photo courtesy Poolscape Inc.

By Barry Justus

Illumination options are sometimes overlooked when designing the interior of a swimming pool. The use of light emitting diode (LED) fixtures allows pool designers to position multiple lights throughout the pool interior. Special emphasis should be placed on lighting entries, exits and any obstacles inside the pool. Another option is to place lights in the pool floor to illuminate raised walls, pool interior walls, water features, ceilings, arbours or even overhangs.

Read the full article: Interior Design Key to a Project’s Success

Last Drop: Cobra Pools & Spas Inc.

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Photo courtesy Cobra Pools & Spas Inc.

By Jason Cramp

Cobra Pools & Spas Inc., a pool builder in Perth, Ont., installed a unique, one-piece fibreglass swimming pool for a client living just outside the town who was looking for a backyard amenity perfect for entertaining, exercising and spending time with family.

The innovative shape and size of the 4.2- x 9.75-m (14- x 32-ft) beach-sand coloured pool, which has a 1.77-m (5-ft 10-in.) deep end, fit perfectly into the customer’s backyard. The pool’s three ‘double-love seats’ are characteristic features of the fibreglass pool manufactured by Dolphin Pools in Trenton, Ont.

Read the full article: Last Drop

Creating a Rare Waterplay Structure: The Audobon Zoo’s Alligator-themed Waterpark

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By Colin Atkinson

To bring the Audubon zoo’s ‘Cool Zoo’ to life, WhiteWater West Industries installed a multi-level interactive play structure as part of the new splash park attraction with a life-like alligator as its central theme. Photo courtesy WhiteWater West Industries

WhiteWater West Industries, a waterpark and aquatic attraction design/build firm in Richmond, B.C., installed its first North American zoo water play structure as part of the new splash park attraction at the Audubon Zoo in New Orleans, La., which opened earlier this year.

This was not a typical installation, however, as WhiteWater was asked to bring the water park attraction, appropriately named ‘Cool Zoo,’ to life, as park officials were looking to add a refreshing new element to the popular zoo. In doing so, WhiteWater designed a custom multi-level interactive play structure with a life-like alligator as its central theme. This was no ordinary alligator, however; as it had to be an accurate reproduction of ‘Spot,’ the Audubon Zoo’s resident albino alligator, which meant incorporating his rare albino colouring.

As WhiteWater’s water play centres are modularly constructed, they can be built anywhere. For instance, the water play structure used for this project contains 15 standpipes, which are joined together by horizontal pipes, some of which carry water to feed the various features, including the tipping bucket and fibreglass reinforced plastic (FRP) horizontal platforms and stairs. Modular assembly was extremely beneficial for this project, as it allowed various stages of design, fabrication and construction to be carried out in Richmond and Kelowna, B.C., as well as in New Orleans.

Read the full article: Creating a Rare Water Play Structure

Learning to Prevent and Respond to Crisis Situations: Bringing it all Together

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By Alex Antoniou, PhD, Thomas M. Lachocki, PhD and Laurie Batter

Conducting audits and developing ERPs should not be taken lightly. Too often organizations play a game of chance, hoping nothing will happen at their facilities. Most of the time, they are lucky. Yet, when an employee or guest is injured, made ill or dies as a result of an emergency situation, tremendous pain and suffering is the result. In addition, financial and liability consequences can be devastating to the organization. Regularly scheduled facility audits and development of an ERP will protect employees, customers and stakeholders.

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Landscape Profile: Creating Warmth and Privacy

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A stone fireplace serves as a the focal point for this backyard project. Photo courtesy Clayton Ditzler

By Clayton Ditzler

The Landscape Artist Inc., has been providing the Calgary area with residential landscape design and construction services since 1977. When the company was called out to revamp a modest backyard in the city, the result was a functional, easy-to-maintain outdoor space with a striking fireplace as its visual centrepiece.

Starting the project
The Landscape Artist finds clients in a variety of ways, progressing from the tried and true methods of referrals, Yellow Pages listings and home and garden trade shows, to the more modern channels of social media, such as Facebook. Thanks to numerous referrals, the company has a solid base of repeat customers.

The clients on this particular project are the owners of Diamond Fireplace & Stone, a business that has been awarded a local Consumers Choice Award, an accomplishment it shares in common with The Landscape Artist. This project was the catalyst for what has become a great working relationship; the two companies now collaborate regularly on projects that involve outdoor fireplaces, kitchens and other cultured stone features.

The project site was a modest-sized backyard measuring 15 m (49 ft) deep by 13.3 m (43 ft) wide, with little to it beyond a raised deck off the back of the home. The only original elements that remain in the finished project are the fences; the pre-existing deck was in need of repair and did not fit in with the desired renovation concept. With a south exposure and some good borrowed landscape from neighbouring trees, the backyard served as a great blank canvas from which to design.

The client’s main focus for the new backyard was to create spaces to entertain and relax. This included creating space for an outdoor kitchen, outdoor dining area and separate garden room effect for intimate seating around the fireplace. Low maintenance and privacy were also important priorities for these busy homeowners.

Read the full article: Creating Warmth and Privacy