The Backyard Resort
As seen on Architectural Digest website April, 2008
What’s the latest in home-as-haven décor? For those with fast-paced lives, it’s the backyard retreat—a private resort, with essential water features. Whether the ultimate goal is a romantic retreat or a family entertainment space, designing one’s ideal outdoor refuge calls for specialized expertise not only to build the pool, but to spark ideas and translate a lifestyle into creative options so that the completed scenario exceeds expectations.
How to plan your Pool Creation
Pools, Spas & Patios - Spring 2008
This article reviews what it takes to create a resort in your backyard. Several pools built by members of the Master Pools Guild are shown to illustrate what a difference it makes when a quality builder plans the whole poolscape properly. Read the article to find out what it takes to make your dream poolscape a reality.
The April 2008 issue of Architectural Digest features a special section called Outdoor Decor. Read this article about the Master Pools Guild and planning a backyard resort.
This ad appears in the April 2008 issue of Architectural Digest and shows one of the most beautiful pools in the world. This Pools was built by Riverbend Sandler, Plano, Texas.
Several Guild members in HomeFront Magazine - "For the love of water"
Pools by a number of Master Pools Guild members are portrayed in this article "For the love of water". HomeFront magazine is magazine for the design conscious homeowners in the greater Toronto marketplace. This article relates what to consider to transform an ordinary garden into an exquisite outdoor living space.
Gib-San Pools, Ltd., Toronto, ON
Gib-San builds a One-of-a-kind pool
This $2 million Caribbean pool is profiled in an article in Pool & Spa Marketing magazine (December 2007) that describes some of the challenges of building this 5000 sq.ft. (150 sq.m.) pool on an island over 2000 miles from the company's home base. See it during different stages of construction and read about its many incredible features.
Randy Bauer President Symphony Pools Simi Valley, Calif.
PSN 2004 Masters of Design Winner - Waterfeatures
What great design concept are you working on? We’re doing more fire-and-water features. It can be a bowl-type container with an inner part that contains the fire, then maybe it has a fountain on the outside.
How does it work? We always build some kind of barrier between the fire and water, then camouflage that divider as much as possible. You want to minimize the moisture getting to the fire elements. The burners and igniters — even though they’re manufactured with moisture in mind — still have difficulties with corrosion. The barrier is usually made of concrete or a masonry-type product. Right now, we’re building one that features a bowl with glass inside. Fire comes out of that. It’s an oval, roughly like a fire pit design. It has water on the backdrop, as well as on the left and right side. You can warm yourself by the fire, which remains separated from the water.
Winter 2006
Spectacular remodel - James Michener's former home
Mowry Pools, Austin, Texas
Articles in these two magazines, Your Address and Urban Home (Winter 2006 issues), describe the home remodel in Austin, Texas that is interesting both because of the impressive renovations done, but also the fact that it was the home of James A Michener when he wrote the novel, Texas. The view from the pool area over the beautiful Colorado River is even more spectacular when taken from across the pool's vanishing-edge. And as if that is not enough, you can admire a stunning waterfall that spills from the upper pool into an existing pool below. To view more pictures of this pool visit the Featured Pools section in the Gallery.
Most dramatic natural setting pool - Mowry Pools - Austin, Texas
Pinnacle magazine displayed this amazing pool on their cover. This stunning pool was carved into the natural crevices of surrounding rock cliffs on this 10 acre ranch overlooking the convergent point where the Perdenales River and Lick Creek flow into Lake Travis.
Pool Builder Charles Barnes, President of Riverbend Sandler has taken his business--and racing career--to new heights. Read how he is driven to win in both business and his hobby of car racing. Charles is Vice-Chairman of the Master Pools Guild in 2007 and will be Chairman in 2008.
New York Times Article quotes Dick Covert of Master Pools Guild
In a feature article about the trends in luxury pools in the Home & Garden section of The New York Times, August 16, 2007, Dick Covert, Executive Director of the Master Pools Guild was quoted. Also in the same article Mowry Pools, a Master Pools Builder in Austin, Texas, had one of his pools featured. It was a major remodel, resulting in a two tier pool overlooking Lake Austin.
Jay Middleton, designer for Gib-San Pools a Master Pools member in Toronto, was recognized for his creative talents in a special supplement to Pool & Spa News magazine called Masters of Design. This publication profiled the talents of some of North American's best pools and spas designers. Jay's profiled work showed how he created a secluded beautifully landscaped setting for a spa.
This article on trends in pool construction in different areas of the world was written in a magazine translated as "How to Spend it" and distributed in Expansion, the largest Financial Times newspaper in Spain. It includes pictures of two Master Pools Builders - Geremia Pools of Sacramento, California, United States and Acuarium Pools of Costa Rico. (Fuera de Serie - Expansión, Madrid, Spain)
Florida Bonded is profiled in the Jacksonville Business Journal in celebration of their 50th anniversary of Business. One of the founding members of the Master Pools Guild.
Artistic celebrated its 50th year. This article profiles this Master Pools Builder that is known for undertaking some of the most challenging designs in the industry. As seen in Atlanta Business Chronicle.
Artistic celebrated its 50th year. This article profiles this Master Pools Builder that is known for undertaking some of the most challenging designs in the industry. As seen in Womans Day, Redbook, Good Housekeeping.
Douglas Aquatics had one of its pools profiled in Signature Pools & Outdoors Spring Edition 2, 2007. "We are particularly proud of this pool" says Tracy Hall, Office Manager of Douglas Aquatics. "Nestled on the side of the James River in Richmond, Virginia, this pool was in the ideal setting for a vanishing edge design. "While sitting in the spa there is a panoramic seamless view of water across the pool and down the river."
This article appearing in Pool & Spa Marketing magazine, January 2007 issue, shows how Alka Pools transformed a very difficult terrain at the top of West Vancouver into an aquatic work of art - complimenting the incredible vista over Horseshoe Bay. See the pictures and read the story of how Alka met the construction challenges in creating this Master Pool.
Mowry Pools, Austin, TX - Ritz Carlton Magazine October 2006
In a recent issue of the Ritz Carlton magazine that goes to their client base and is in their hotels, a unique creation by Mowry Pools was described. In the attached PDF, you will see how a rock crevice on the client's property was made into a unique swimming pool. The challenge entailed sealing the bottom so the water would not drain through hidden cracks as well as providing access walkways and patio space with the confines of the steep walls towering around the pool.
Pool & Spa News November 27th issue featured articles about "The Turning Point" in business.
They described events that were key turning points for three members of the Master Pools Guild, in their business and personal life.
(1) Skip Ast of Shasta Industries, Phoenix AZ, in an article titled “The Believer” relates how his relationship with Jesus Christ helped him overcome a sordid past and build a bustling, value-based company. Read the full article [PDF - 707KB]
(2) Terri Rann, Owner/President of Master Pools of Washington, in Mountlake Terrace WA, relates how the family business was transformed when she merged with a competitor in the Seattle area. Read the full article [PDF - 557KB]
(3) Dee Cline, formerly of Fiesta Poolsof Tulsa OK, describes how she had to become a fast learner when her father and owner died suddenly in 1995. He had started the business in 1956. She credits the Guild in helping her meet the challenges. She sold Fiesta to Travis Hogan in the summer of 2005. Read the full article [PDF - 604KB]
Florida Design Magazine features pool by Pool Tech of Miami
This "Oasis in the Florida Keys" featured in Florida Design Magazine (2006 Vol. 15 No. 4) is an amazing blend of house architectural with outdoor living space surrounded by a pool in a way that is inspiring. Water, wind and fire combine with statues, columns and nature. The pool is a creation of Frank Delzaquirre of Pool Tech of Miami, Inc., a member of the Master Pools Guild. The pool was on the pool tour at the Master Pools Guild's annual meeting in October where is was admired by over 150 master pools builders.
Industry search for "Executive Dream Team" picks Master Pools Guild members
Bruce Dunn, President of Mission Pools, Escondido, California
was selected as the top pick for the pool construction company Dream
Team CEO. Ed Gibbs, President of Gib-San Pools, Toronto, Ontario was
selected as runner up for Construction CEO and Ron Coker Jr., President
of Artistic Pool, Atlanta, Georgia was runner up as Construction General Manager. This contest was run by Pool & Spa News magazine and run in
their April 10, 2006 issue.
Read what they have to say about these key executives - the best in the
industry - in the attached PDF.
This article in Pools, Spas & Patios Magazine shows how to create a cottage-like setting in the city with the use of natural grey flagstone deck in a rock and tree landscape like the northern wilderness. Created by St. Lawrence Pools, this dream retreat includes a waterfalls from a meandering stream that finds its way into the pool.
Pools, Spas & Patios Magazine shows a pool by Gib-San Pools that is a perfect blend of natural elements. This deep wood habitat was created in downtown Toronto. A natural free-formed gunite swimming pool features a waterfall that seems to pour down a rocky mountain face onto a small plateau and then continues down the "mountain-side" over a vanishing edge.
Pools, Spas & Patios Magazineshows off a family's "year-round resort" with a retractable pool enclosure built by St. Lawrence Pools of Kingston. This custom 17 x 32 ft. shotcrete pool was built on a dried-up riverbed, giving it renewed life. The custom enclosure provides year round use - even down to -20oC (-4oF) in the winter, and lots of sun for tanning in the summer with its retractable feature. St. Lawrence Pools is a member of the Master Pools Guild.
Pools, Spas & Patios Magazine features a Gib-San gunite "Roman" end pool with a modern mix of rugged decking with a cedar pergola sitting area to complement the style of their clients' home. The creative landscaping and soothing water sound from the sheer descent waterfall creates the total unique environment that is reminiscent of Cuernavaca - the City of Eternal Spring located north of Mexico City. Gib-San is a member the Master Pools Guild.
Aqua Magazine has inducted Mission Pools into their Aqua 100 Hall of Fame. This article profiles this company, one of the largest independently owned pool companies in the nation. Mission is a member of the Master Pools Guild.
Aqua Magazine has inducted Riverbend Sandler Pools into their Aqua 100 Hall of Fame. Two well established companies, Riverbend and Sandler, merged in 1999 to form the largest pool company in Texas. Combined they have built more than 10,000 pools across North Texas since 1975, using more in-house craftsmen than any other pool builder. Riverbend Sandler is a member of the Master Pools Guild. This article profiles their growth.
Play ball! You can now watch the Frisco Rough Riders, an affiliate of the Texas Rangers from a pool. Riverbend Sandler Pool Pavilion is the first pool of its kind in any sporting venue in the nation. This three-tiered pool area offers you a great view of the game and the coolest seats in the park. The pool is beyond the outfield - between 1st and 2nd base.
Luxury Pools Magazine featured a pool by Logan Pools. They specialize in spectacular waterfalls and caves, and this pool is no exception. Mike Logan, owner says the company strives to build poolscapes that exceed its clients' expectations.
Luxury Pools Magazine features an impressive pool by Artistic Pools that includes a walk-thru grotto with its built-in tube slide and bridged walk-way. Creating sophisticated poolscapes that include elaborate water features which pull the entire setting together is the company's forte.
Luxury Pools Magazine features a profile of Pool Tech in their approach to the pool business. Over 25 years ago they were invited to join the Master Pools Guild, and Rick Whiteaker, President of Pool Tech, credits the Guild for fostering his unique approach to pool design.
Luxury Pools Magazinerevealed some of the beauty of water in Las Vegas as created by Prestige Pools. From a seventy foot long lap pool to a multi-level pool with three tiers of water that flow over negative edges to a bottom pool sixteen feet below. This engineering stunner was built with more than five hundred feet of retaining wall.
Creative Master Pools, Inc., Pompton Lakes, New Jersey
Luxury Pools Magazine shows in this article how Creative Master Pools delivers on their approach of crafting environments that inspire fun, fitness and entertainment. One picture shows how they took advantage of the side of a mountain to create a fifteen foot rushing waterfall.
See incredible pool pictures in these advertisements
that are appearing in luxury pools related magazines. "Owning the most beautiful pool in the world ... Begins
with a Master Pools Guild builder!"
Pool & Spa News detailed the "Quiet Revolution" that has taken place at
Gib-San Pools of Toronto as they restructured their company over the
past decade to being the first pool company in the world to employ ISO
quality management systems that contributed to the incredible growth of
the company. The systems have been instrumental in them being able to
take on projects in far away places such as the Caribbean and Europe.
Pool & Spa News profiled a renovation job by Prestige Pools & Spas in
their article "Rags to Riches" that showed how a dilapidated pool was
turned into a backyard retreat for a busy executive and his family. The
original typical kidney-shaped pool was transformed with a vanishing
edge, spillover spa, poolside cabana and dozens of other features into a majestic aquascape. The article reviews the stages of the
transformation.
Pool & Spa Living magazine featured a pool by Prestige Pools of Las
Vegas in their special article titled Showplaces - Inground Pools with a
Designer's Touch which talks about trends in pool features as Americans
seek out ways of having their pools the stunning centerpiece of an
outdoor family recreation setting.
Eleven of Top Fifty Pools Builders in USA are Guild members
In the 2006 survey by Pool & Spa News August 21st issue, Members of the Master Pools Guild held eleven of the "Top Fifty Builders" positions in the United States. Here are the rankings based on total construction revenue:
Rank
Company
Location
Construction
# Pools
#5
Shasta Industries
Phoenix AZ
$92,700,000
3529
#11
Mission Pools Inc.
Southern CA
$36,000,000
530
#12
Riverbend Sandler Pools
Dallas/Fort Worth TX
$32,900,000
742
#17
Patio Pools & Spa
Tucson AZ
$20,900,000
546
#18
Barrington Pools
Chicago IL
$19,900,000
174
#20
Nassau Pools
Naples/Ft. Myers FL
$18,000,000
475
#29
Maryland Pools
Baltimore MD
$16,000,000
438
#34
Geremia Pools
Sacramento, CA
$13,600,000
176
#37
A&G Pools
Port St. Lucie, FL
$12,800,000
473
#39
MP-Paul Haney
Fresno, CA
$11,500,000
256
#45
Lifetime Pools
San Jose, CA
$9,659,147
131
July 2005
Patio Pools & Spa of Tucson, Arizona
Shasta Pools & Spas of Phoenix Arizona
Pool & Spa News featured both Patio Pools & Spa and Shasta Pools & Spas in this special article about Holy Water - water features, ponds and pools that complement religious settings, baptisteries and church interiors. These creations really are spectacular.
Luxury Pools Magazine featured a pool by Prestige Pools on the front
cover as well as in a two page spread titled "Las Vegas Artistry. It
shows and describes the multi-tiered and multi-faceted poolscape that
integrates the beauty of the architecture of homes with the splendor of
the desert area landscape. Incredible features such as a
serpentine-shaped vanishing edge is just the beginning.
The Robb Report featured Gib-San Pools in
their special story “Water works” – where
top water-features designers share their expertise on
integrating water into the home landscape. The story
acknowledged how committed Gib-San was to quality – referencing
them being the first pool company in the world to achieve
ISO quality management certification.
Pool & Spa News featured Prestige Pools in a four-page segment in their Masters of Design feature story. Bill Palmer, President of Prestige, with landscape architect Michael Theilacker discuss how they made water a part of the living environment in their masterpiece pools.
Pool & Spa News featured Gib-San Pools in
a feature story on the Masters of Design. In this four
page segment, it shows and describes an unusual project – a
large 40 ft. x 80 ft. salt water pool built on the sea
shore in Nova Scotia. Ed Gibbs, President, talks about
how they designed the diving platform and bridge elements
in cedar, to weather like the landscape environment.
Signature
Pools & Spas
magazine featured
a pool and cascading water feature by Keith Zars
Pools Inc., a Master Pools Builder in San Antonio. This
pool was shown both on the front cover as well as in
a two page spread titled Enchanted Evening. According
to Keith Zars, President, the goal was to create
a beautiful addition to their home while creating a waterway
for fitness, entertainment and relaxation.
Aqua Magazine featured an indoor pool by Maryland Pools in an
article titled "An Inside Job - The hidden gem in Baltimore's Little
Italy" in their September 2003 Issue. There aren't many homes in
Baltimore's Little Italy neighborhood with an indoor swimming pool. But
in this case, the client converted a 100 year old warehouse into a 6500
square foot living space complete with a swimming pool and indoor
fitness room. As the story goes, the home and pool was featured in a
NBC hit show Homicide. Click to get the full story.
Pool & Spa News featured the ultimate small back yard challenge that Cham Carpenter of Prestige Pools more than met. In this Masters of Design article, they called it the Perfect Fit, because it is amazing how many features were build into this poolscape. Rock, water and fire unite to make a primitive, powerful statement.
Pool & Spa News featured a Vaughan Pool & Spa creation called Stream of Consciousness in their Master of Design series. The three-sided vanishing edge pool looks more mystical than manmade. There is a spa overflowing into a pool, and what appears to be water from the spa cascading down a waterfall to a lake for a deceptively natural-looking aquascape.
April 2008
Spring 2008
April 2008
April 2008
January 2008
