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The World Registry of Elite Pool Designers & Builders
Spring 2012
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SWIM YEAR-ROUND IN YOUR
BACKYARD
by
A Michael Phelps Signature Swim Spa by Master Spas lets you swim in your backyard, year round. Swim, exercise or play in water that’s always the right temperature. A Michael Phelps Signature Swim Spa by Master Spas is powered by the propeller driven Wave Propulsion System and installs in less than a day.
FOR MORE INFORMATION AND A
$1,000 OFF COUPON www.MichaelPhelpsSwimSpa.com
6927 Lincoln Pkwy I Fort Wayne, IN 46804 I 260.436.9100 I masterspas.com
GO TO
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Marquise Pools, LLC
C
ontents SPRING 2 0 1 2
COMPANIES AND ORGANIZATIONS WITH MULTI-STATE OFFICE LOCATIONS
25 FEATURES
Anthony & Sylvan Pools
26
Designing with Purpose By David Tisherman
Aquatech,® a National Society of Pool-Building & Retailing Professionals
10
28
It’s Elemental By Kevin Woodhurst
Blue Haven Pools & Spas
18
32 Genesis Design Group
THE REGISTRY
120
34 Lewis Aquatech Pools
Master Pools Guild, Inc.
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L U X U R Y
P O O L S
STATE-BY-STATE GUIDE
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Brandenburg Pool
Morehead Pools
Caviness Landscape Design, Inc.
Stone Crest Pools
ARIZONA Brandenburg Pool
CONNECTICUT Group Works LLC
LOUISIANA Morehead Pools
TEXAS Custom Pool Concepts
46
66
82
100
MASSACHUSETTS Environmental Pools, Inc.
Downunda Pools
Dolphin Pools & Spas
48 HydroScapes, LLC
50 ARKANSAS Elite Pools by Scott
52 CALIFORNIA Advanced Pools
FLORIDA Aquatic Consultants, Inc./Brian Van Bower
68
86
Stone Crest Pools
Creative Master Pools, Inc.
108
Superior Pools & Maintenance, Inc.
88
Stone Mason of Spring
74
Liquid Design, LLC
112
GEORGIA Artistic Pools, Inc.
72
Pacific Paradise Pools
76
62
106
90
56
Questar Pools and Spas, Inc.
104 Marquise Pools, LLC
ILLINOIS Downes Swimming Pool Company, Inc.
60
Elite Concepts, Inc.
NEW JERSEY Cipriano Custom Swimming Pools & Landscaping
54 David Tisherman’s Visuals, Inc.
84
102
Platinum Poolcare, Ltd.
78
Omega Pool Structures, Inc.
94 OKLAHOMA Baker Pools
96
VIRGINIA Lewis Aquatech Pools
114 WAS H I NG TON Rugged Class Waterfalls & Pools
118
Caviness Landscape Design, Inc.
98
ABOUT THE COVER: Defining true harmony, this amazing poolscape shows how a designer blends every element in the setting to create a gracious outdoor space. The flagstone decking and Select Blue flagstone coping were designed to complement the home’s grand architecture. To learn more about Lewis Aquatech Pools, please read the profile on page 114. Photo courtesy of Lewis Aquatech Pools
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IMITATION IS THE SINCEREST FORM OF FLATTERY. . .
Except When It Comes to Safety.
To be sure, make sure it’s genuine LOOP-LOC. Protect your family with the only safety pool cover proven strong enough to support an elephant: LOOP-LOC. No other cover comes with the LOOP-LOC name woven in the webbing . . . or comes close to our standards. Because at LOOP-LOC, we never forget what’s important to you.
390 Motor Parkway, Hauppauge, NY 11788 | www.looploc.com | 1-800-LOC-LOOP © LOOP-LOC 2012
MADE IN THE U.S.A.
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PROFILE
BY
DAVID TISHERMAN
Designing with Purpose Photo courtesy of ©Costea Photography
Great projects start with meaningful design decisions
This setting is the perfect visual definition of how a poolscape is more than the pool. Every element—from the lounging area with handcrafted fireplace, fully-equipped outdoor kitchen, and opened and closed arbors with space heaters to the daytime pool and spa water effects—blends in harmoniously with the home’s Craftsman style. Even after careful study, the venue appears to have been in place since the day the house was built. INSET: The pre-renovation pool shell.
The work of an accomplished designer begins by knowing the reasons behind the choices he or she makes. That sounds simple enough, but homeowners should proceed with care because only a handful of builders truly understand design. On the other hand, many others are more or less content to offer a limited set of features, which may or may not have anything to do with the setting. Generally speaking, there are three types of pool and spa builders: The first type is the pool builder who knows the rudimentary rules of design. He or she has no background in art or architecture history, only uses design 10
Luxury Pools O Spring 2012
schemes generated on a computer template, and does not charge for the design process. Next, there is the landscape architect, a professional who is educated in design. Some landscape architects, however, are not experts in swimming pool construction and need to work with an experienced pool contractor. Finally, there is the educated pool and spa professional who understands both design principles and construction details. He or she bases the work on the relationship between design and construction as it relates to the site environment, always knowing that each and every element—
from the broadest overall concept down to the smallest detail—must be in the design for a reason and must be executed flawlessly.
Design Defined So how do you know who is an expert pool designer? The answer starts with knowing that truly qualified designers form their ideas using the architecture of the home, the surrounding setting, and client input. These professionals know that there are times when a site’s requirements demand a type of design that would be totally inappropriate for another venue.
EcoStar Stratosphere Pump Ad_LuxuryPool_01.06.ai 1 PM 1/6/12 2012_LP_Edit.qxp:2012_LP_Template 2/1/12 1:32 Page2:26 13 PM
avings s y g r e n e w o n Doesn’t k can soar into e, too. r e h p s o t a r t s the
The great thing about childhood is that you can go through life blissfully unaware. Unfortunately, adults need to pay attention to things like yucky old energy bills. EcoStar® variable speed pump can help with that. It saves as much as 90% on a pool’s energy bill by precisely matching pump speed to your pool’s requirements. EcoStar has a digital interface that rotates in any direction or mounts on the wall for convenience. Our SVRS model provides an added layer of protection from suction entrapment, without additional devices, plumbing or wiring. Here’s looking at you, kid. Learn more at hayward.com or call 1-888-Hayward.
EcoStar variable speed pump can save you up to $1,500 in a single year, when part of a Totally Hayward® system.
Hayward, Hayward Energy Solutions, Totally Hayward and EcoStar are registered trademarks of Hayward Industries, Inc. © 2012 Hayward Industries, Inc.
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When clients first meet Scott Girner, president/owner of Elite Pools by Scott (EPBS), they are impressed by his passion for pool design and construction. After talking with him, they soon learn that enthusiasm is not his only trait: he is also creative, professional, and exceptionally knowledgeable about the art of luxury poolscaping. These qualities have helped him elevate his company to one of the top in Arkansas. Many magnificent homes are built on challenging landscapes where no thought is given to a pool in the future. “I create dynamic outdoor living spaces that are in total harmony with the surrounding environment and look like they’ve always been a part of the property,” explains Girner. “Discriminating clients come to us when other builders say the project can’t be done.” EPBS specializes in custom state-of-the-art low maintenance pools built for maximum enjoyment with minimal effort. “We limit our work to about 20 projects per year because we want to ensure that each project receives maximum focus and personal attention. My entire team gets personally involved with each product and prides itself with not getting too spread out.” EPBS focuses on the total design concept making sure that the overall vision is shared by all. “We are not your normal pool guys,” says Girner. “We want to create overthe-top outdoor environments and aquatic architecture. We take whatever time is necessary to ensure that the color, texture, and finish of all surfaces carry out the planned theme.” Girner’s work over the past 35 years has been recognized in the industry with a number of national awards and honors. Additionally, his reputation mainly grows through client referrals. “There is a reason why EPBS is one of Arkansas’ top waterscape designers and builders,” explains Girner. “Our formula is this: quality design integrated with superior craftsmanship equals a successful project with completely satisfied clients.” O 52
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ABOVE LEFT: This
eye-catching vanishing-edge pool features Oklahoma flagstone coping, a stamped-concrete apron, a white Pebble Tech® finish, and two Grand Effects fire/water bowls. The sparkling water retains its crystal beauty with an automated Paramount in-floor cleaning system.
ELITE POOLS BY SCOTT 53 Sologne Circle, Little Rock, AR 72223 501-448-2053 • www.elitepoolsbyscott.com In Business for 35 Years Builds 20 Pools per Year Service Area Arkansas
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C ustomized L uxury
ABOVE AND RIGHT: This amazing backyard playground features a totally automated, freeform, vanishingedge pool with a fiveperson swim-up bar, overflow hot tub, flagstone-lined beach entry, Pebble Tech速 pool finish, three waterfalls, and a graceful bridge. Oklahoma flagstone was used for the coping and bar seats, while stamped concrete forms the apron. The bar includes lighting under the top and transparent onyx. The fully-equipped outdoor kitchen is finished rough cedar.
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Don’t be fooled: this pool is far from a simple creation. Built on a hill overlooking urban splendor, this pool’s clean lines, along with the sweeping curve of its vanishing edge and the spare landscaping, play a key role in a carefully planned design to create harmony. Notice how the water flowing from the bowl feature adds vitality to the setting. Designed by Skip Phillips in conjunction with Island Architects and Bruce Rudd, Landscape Architect; Photography courtesy of Gary Conaughton
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Breathtaking Innovation Questar Pools and Spas, Inc.
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Masters in the
A rt
of Luxury
Marquise Pools, one of the Houston area’s premier pool designers and builders, has built a great reputation on creating fantastic poolscapes that are not only visually beautiful, but also professionally constructed with superior materials. Over the years, these practices have won the builder a number of awards from the Association of Pool & Spa Professionals, trade publications, and this year, a prestigious honor from Luxury Pools. The images shown here are different angles of the 2012 Pinnacle Awards-winning Chimenti project. Chris Smith and Greg Watson are partners in the business, with Watson handling all construction and implementation and Smith managing the landscape architecture staff. Smith attributes his
company’s success to employing only expert craftsmen. “We take a comprehensive approach to design, pools and outdoor living spaces,” says Smith. “We can seamlessly integrate a home with a setting’s landscaping because our professional team is comprised of registered landscape architects, pool industry veterans, and top-notch service technicians.” In fact, Marquise Pools can design the entire project: hardscape and pool design, landscape, drainage, irrigation, lighting, decks, summer kitchens, cabanas, and pergolas. The story behind the Chimenti pool is intriguing. Situated on a site that has over 11 feet of elevation drop to the rear of the property, the pool presented a set of challenges that Marquise Pools was able
to overcome. “We always create a master plan before we start a project,” says Smith. In this case, Marquise decided to keep the lines of traditional appearance while incorporating more updated techniques of false perspective, elevation, scale, and proportion. The biggest test was creating a master plan that married the house’s architecture and scale to the unique natural characteristics of the property. “Having landscape architects involved in the entire pool design and construction process creates the flow that many sophisticated clients want and are willing budget for,” says Smith. “They see the value-added element of true design-build firms that invest in a staff with professional credentials.” O
Home project building designer: Patrick Berrios; Landscape architect: Chris D. Smith; Photography by Paul Ladd, www.laddphotography.com
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2012 Luxury Pools Designer & Builder
ABOVE: This
project represents true over-scaled Italian style. All of the glass in the pool was special ordered from Italy and the decking is chiseled edge 16-inch by 24-inch pieces of travertine that are brushed and tumbled to create the cobble floors seen all over the Italian region. Multiple temperatures of lighting were specified to create the warmth of Italy, and still showcase certain parts of the garden with the cool temperatures of the mercury vapor lights.
BELOW: Here the image illustrates the importance of having in-house landscape architects involved in all stages of site planning and design. Defining where you are going to cook, where you’re going to dine, watch the ball game with cigars and cognac—all of these things play into the flow of the landscape architectural plan.
The highest point of this project is the upper fountain feature, which is perched 36 inches above the lower pool elevation. There is a sloped spillway channel that takes water from the upper fountain and cascades it into the spa, which then flows into the lower pool. The pool decking systems increase in height to the rear set of balustrades to complement the increasing series of water elements to the back retaining wall. This false perspective technique provided the scale and prominence to fit next to an 18,000-square-foot-house footprint.
MARQUISE POOLS, LLC 27326 Robinson Road, Oak Ridge, Texas 77385 281-296-7946 • www.marquisepools.com In Business for 11 Years Builds 50 Pools per Year Service Area Greater Houston area including The Woodlands, Conroe, Spring, Magnolia, Montgomery, Tomball and Kingwood LuxuryPools.com O Spring 2012
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