Koi Pond and Stream Wins Most Naturalistic Category

Capturing the essence of the majestic, almost inimitable Adirondack Mountains sounds like a tall order, especially when your customer is located just outside of Philadelphia. Replicating such a unique, natural environment requires a deep appreciation for naturalism, and this masterpiece by Brian Buchholtz of PondWorks demonstrates exactly how it’s done.

[box style=”rounded”]>> See More | View all the winners via our Gallery Spotlight[/box]

At the end of a long, steep walking path from a private residence, this koi pond and stream with soul-soothing waterfalls appear as though they eroded naturally from the hillside. It operates on a sophisticated control system that includes a high-flow centrifugal pump, a high-output UV sterilizer and a 30-inch biomechanical filter, but it is masterfully hidden from sight beneath mature, naturally-occurring plantings about 25 feet from the pond.

Preserving nature requires leaving no trace of man, so transporting and setting the 40 tons of firestone boulders on the mountainous property required a carefully orchestrated ballet of precision work with heavy equipment. The fact that it appears today as though Brian and his team never stepped foot on the property is a resounding testament to the craftsmanship of his team in composing this out-of-this-world treasure.

Brian Buchholtz

Brian Buchholtz is the founder and owner of PondWorks. With a background in construction, he has accumulated extensive knowledge across the spectrum of water feature design, detailing and construction through almost 25 years of experience. PondWorks prides itself in providing natural, integrated water features while relying on hands-on approaches to project conceptualization and execution. He holds a bachelor’s degree in architecture from Philadelphia University.