A SPLASH OF CREATIVITY

HUNTINGTON POOLS’ STAFF ENJOYS A GOOD CHALLENGE STORY BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI | PHOTOS BY LUIS CHAVEZ

Huntington Pools’ staff believes each project should have a unique balance and connection to the property’s overall landscape and architecture.

“We view each of our watershapes as a unique work of art and use only top industry professionals, select finish products and proven technologies,” says owner Jeff Lokker. “This skillful combination of engineering, form and fit is the signature of our watershapes.”

Based in San Dimas, Huntington Pools specializes in designing and building outdoor environments, like pools, patios and barbecues, spas and landscaping—everything related to outdoor environments. The company services the greater Los Angeles area, including Pasadena, San Marino, Hancock Park, the Hollywood Hills and the Westside. continued on page 18

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Lokker founded Huntington Pools in 1988, but he’s been in the business beyond that. The award-winning pool designer/builder grew up with a friend whose family was involved in the pool business. He helped build the pools, but never thought he would continue with it.

After high school, he entered the Army, in which he served from 1983 to 1987, in places like Italy and Central America.

“It was a good experience,” says Lokker, who was stationed at Fort Bragg. “I think it’s good for all young people to serve a little bit. A lot of people are scared, especially during wartime. When I was in, we were still in the Cold War. There wasn’t a lot of active events going on.”

He earned a degree from California Polytechnic University in 1994 and eventually founded Huntington Pools, a gold member of Genesis 3 since 2006. An international forum, Genesis 3 advocates for continuing education and higher standards in watershape design and construction. It is a subset of the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance.

“I’m trying to develop and raise the skillsets of construction, especially in the pool industry” he says, “That put me on a path of education in my field.”

That proves Lokker’s passion for his occupation.

“If you’re going to do something, go in with passion, be educated about it and do good, quality work that’s going to play out in the long run,” he adds.

“Instead of blasting the media world with advertising, I think it’s better to have clients tell their friends about me. A client’s word is the best advertising I can do. I love seeing clients years later and they have a smile on their face when they talk about how much they love their backyard. I like seeing the long-term appreciation for things we do.”

Lokker also enjoys the creative end of his occupation.

“The ever-changing landscape of the pool industry is interesting to me,” says Lokker, whose business is a certified PebbleTec builder. “It’s an area in which I can be artistic and develop interesting designs. I can think outside of the box between concepts and materials.”

The most-challenging jobs, from a technical standpoint, are hillside pools where water is flowing from all edges of the pool. Many times, they are integrated with patio space and a cooking center.

“What I like to do is not just think about the pools but develop the whole backyard space,” he says.