Inside an international pond build in Belize It all started with a phone call. Our distributor had received an unexpected inquiry, a call from Belize. On the other end was a man named Stuart, asking about pond materials for a proposed project in a private community called Blue Creek. The questions quickly grew more complex […]
Pond Building in Belize Read More »
2025 Water Artisans of the Year Runners-Up and their projects define the margins of excellence Each year, the Water Artisans of the Year judging process reveals just how high that bar has become. Projects earning runner-up distinction are not secondary achievements; they represent work that pushed the judges into careful deliberation and stood shoulder-to-shoulder with
Excellence at the Edge: 2025 Water Artisans of the Year Runners-Up Read More »
Planting within and around natural water features and fountainscapes can be one of the most impactful and rewarding phases of any project. Whether contemporary or naturalistic, small or expansive, plants play essential roles in both the function and beauty of a living water ecosystem. Functionally, plants help keep water clean by absorbing nutrients that algae
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As professional pond and waterfall designers and builders, we usually find ourselves working with a theme, such as a koi pond, backyard water garden, grotto waterfall, estate pond, etc. These types of features encourage tranquility, allow for the enjoyment of aquatic plants, or attract wildlife. So, what kind of questions will quickly pop into your
Adventure Pond: Where Wonder, Water, and Craft Collide Read More »
When the client first approached us, they had one dream: a recreational pond that felt less like a pool and more like a living, breathing aquatic retreat. Not just water in the backyard, but an experience: A backyard oasis like no other. They wanted a place to relax, recharge, and share a lifestyle built around
Vegas East: A Backyard Oasis Like No Other Read More »
Last year at this time, we were beginning construction on a massive grotto, waterfall and rain curtain in Palos Park, Illinois. While the winter started out mild, we work in the Chicago area. We knew what was coming. Some might shake their heads at starting such an ambitious build late in the season but at
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Every spring in the mountains of Niigata, Japan, a quiet but extraordinary ritual begins. In the shadow of snow-capped peaks, amidst neatly arranged rice paddies and cedar forests, generations of koi breeders rise before dawn. Their lives revolve around one singular pursuit: crafting the perfect koi. As The Koi Partner, I’ve had the rare privilege
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By Demi Fortuna and Edwin Scott-Fortuna Our company, August Moon Designs recently complete a waterscape renovation in a historic rock garden at the Franklin Park Zoo. Franklin Park was first designed by Frederick Law Olmstead, creator of New York’s Central Park. Known as the jewel of the Emerald Necklace of parks encircling Boston, Olmstead would
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In November 2020, Mount Sinai Memorial Parks brought me in to turn their old, crumbling, leaking, hard-to-see concrete water feature into a DreamScape. This was a challenging and ultimately very rewarding project to work on. Being in a cemetery, we needed to follow certain rules — mainly being quiet when services were held. A few
Lifting Spirits: Pondless Waterfall Project Transforms Peaceful Resting Space Read More »
Does it sound counterintuitive to incorporate cut rock into a natural water garden, waterfall, stream, pond or swimming pond? Why would you even consider it? How could it successfully enhance the design, usefulness, interaction opportunities, and your client’s enjoyment? I’m guessing that when you think of cut rock, your mind may instantly go to straight
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