In Friendswood, Texas, what began as a pond renovation quickly evolved into one of the most ambitious and rewarding projects of my career.
The original plan was fairly straightforward: rebuild a failing waterfall system and upgrade the filtration on an existing residential pond. However, once we began draining the feature and inspecting the structure more closely, it became clear the issues ran far deeper than surface-level repairs. The liner seams throughout the pond system were failing, the construction methods were inconsistent and the overall system lacked the long-term infrastructure needed to support a healthy koi environment.
Like many projects in this industry, the real challenge was not simply rebuilding what existed — it was helping the client understand what was possible.
Reimagining the Space
The project connection came through Amanda “Mandie” Hensley of NDCQ Designs, who was overseeing the complete home renovation and initially reached out after discovering Brothers Water Gardens online. When I first met with homeowner Mirna Weaver Herr onsite, we discussed several possible approaches, including simplifying portions of the existing pond system to make repairs more manageable.
During that conversation, I proposed a different idea entirely.
Instead of working around the limitations of the existing space, I suggested transforming the entire environment into an immersive outdoor living experience centered around water.
The concept focused on creating a sunken seating area completely surrounded by a koi pond, allowing guests to experience the water feature from within rather than simply viewing it from the perimeter.
To help communicate the vision, I invited Mirna to visit a previously completed sunken seating project. Standing inside that environment helped bridge the gap between concept and reality.
After seeing the space, she looked at me and said:
“Think bigger, Bill … bigger.”
That moment completely shifted the direction of the project.
What began as a renovation evolved into a fully custom 50-foot-by-50-foot outdoor environment anchored by a 30-foot-by-30-foot sunken seating area surrounded 360 degrees by water.
Designing an Immersive Water Feature
One of the biggest educational takeaways from this project is the importance of designing for experience, not just appearance.
Today’s clients increasingly want outdoor spaces that feel immersive and interactive. Water features are no longer viewed as standalone backyard additions. They are becoming integrated architectural elements that shape how people gather, entertain and connect with their environment.
In this project, every design decision focused on reinforcing that sense of immersion.
The sunken seating area was intentionally lowered into the landscape so guests would feel surrounded by water and natural movement. Stepping stones cross portions of the pond surface, while floating steps descend into the seating space itself. Integrated FX lighting, built-in planter boxes and carefully positioned elevation changes help create visual movement throughout the environment.
At the center of the project is a 20-foot acrylic koi viewing window that completely changes the way visitors interact with the pond. Instead of viewing koi from above, guests experience the fish at eye level, observing their movement and behavior from an entirely different perspective.
Large acrylic installations require extensive planning, particularly in climates like Texas where temperature swings can create significant material expansion and contraction. The 2-inch-thick acrylic panel, supplied by AAT Acrylics in Houston, included UV protection and required careful structural integration throughout the construction process.
Solving Structural and Waterproofing Challenges
As the design expanded, so did the engineering challenges.
One of the most difficult aspects of the build involved waterproofing the sunken seating area while integrating EPDM liner systems and structural concrete walls within the same environment. Traditional forming methods would have required penetrating the liner system with stakes, which introduced unnecessary long-term risk.
To solve the issue, we modified Fox Block insulated concrete forms to create a freestanding forming system that allowed us to pour structural walls without compromising the liner integrity. That solution ultimately became one of the most critical construction details on the entire project.
Projects like this reinforce the importance of adaptability in water feature construction. Many high-end installations require contractors to move beyond standard installation methods and develop custom solutions based on the project’s unique structural demands.
For contractors considering similar immersive designs, waterproofing and structural planning should occur simultaneously from the earliest stages of design development. Trying to address those systems independently later in construction can create significant complications.
Hydraulic Planning and Filtration
Large-scale water features require much more than visual impact. Long-term success depends heavily on circulation, oxygenation and filtration planning.
Beneath the seating area sits an 8,000-gallon hidden reservoir that functions as the hydraulic heart of the system. From there, water is circulated to elevated waterfalls and lateral jet systems positioned throughout the pond.
The project includes:
- Four Aquascape SLD 9000 pumps supplying the waterfalls
- Two AquaSurge 8000 pumps feeding 16 total jets
- A custom professional-grade up-flow filtration system
- Multiple circulation zones designed to eliminate dead areas within the pond
More than 75 tons of stone were used throughout the waterfalls and surrounding landscape. Beyond aesthetics, the stone placement helped soften the formal architectural lines of the seating structure while supporting natural water movement and biological integration.
One lesson reinforced during this build was the importance of designing water movement early in the process rather than treating it as a secondary consideration.
In large koi environments, poor circulation often leads to maintenance issues, stagnant zones and declining water quality over time. Proper hydraulic planning not only improves fish health, but also protects the long-term investment made by the homeowner.
Integrating Outdoor Living
Above the water feature, a fully custom welded pergola system transformed the space into a functional year-round outdoor living environment.
The structure includes motorized louvers, integrated LED lighting, infrared heaters, ceiling fans and a concealed 85-inch television system. These additions allow the homeowners to comfortably use the space throughout changing weather conditions while maintaining uninterrupted visual connection to the pond environment below.
As outdoor living continues evolving within the industry, projects increasingly require coordination between multiple trades, including hardscape designers, lighting specialists, audiovisual professionals and structural contractors.
That collaboration was a major factor in this project’s success.
Mandie Hensley of NDCQ Designs played an important role integrating the outdoor environment with the overall renovation vision of the property.
“Collaborating with Bill Harmon and his team at Brothers Water Gardens on this outdoor entertainment project was an inspiring experience that showcased the blend of creative vision and craftsmanship,” Hensley said.
She added that the project pushed beyond traditional outdoor design concepts while allowing both teams to create “a one-of-a-kind masterpiece that reflects both artistry and innovation.”
The Importance of Client Trust
One of the reasons this project became so rewarding was the level of trust established throughout the process.
Large-scale custom water features require constant communication, flexibility and problem-solving between the contractor, designer and homeowner. Without that trust, projects of this complexity become difficult to execute successfully.
Mirna embraced the creative process from the beginning and allowed our team the freedom to push the design further than originally anticipated.
Reflecting on the finished project, she said the experience transformed her outdoor space into “something extraordinary” and praised the team’s attention to detail and commitment throughout construction.
For me, projects like this highlight one of the most important aspects of the water feature industry: relationships matter.
At the end of the day, clients are not simply investing in waterfalls, stone and filtration systems. They are trusting contractors to create environments their families will experience for years to come.
Continuing to Push the Industry Forward
My own path into the pond industry was unconventional. Before founding Brothers Water Gardens, I worked as a registered nurse. What began as a personal backyard project eventually became a full-time pursuit driven by education, mentorship and hands-on experience working alongside some of the industry’s top builders.
That foundation continues shaping how I approach projects today.
The water feature industry is evolving rapidly. Clients are asking for larger, more integrated outdoor environments that combine architecture, engineering and natural ecosystems in ways that were far less common even a decade ago.
Projects like this Friendswood installation demonstrate how far the industry has progressed — and how much opportunity still exists for contractors willing to continue learning, adapting and pushing creative boundaries.
For me, the most rewarding part of this project was not simply the scale or complexity of the build. It was seeing what became possible when collaboration, trust and innovation all aligned around a shared vision.
About the Author
Bill Harmon is the owner of Brothers Water Gardens in Texas and the recipient of Aquascape’s 2025 Artist of the Year award.
