The World Registry of Elite Pool Designers & BuildersThe World Registry of Elite Pool Designers & BuildersThe World Registry of Elite Pool Designers & Builders Spring 2012

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C o n t e n t sSPRING 2 0 1 2

COMPANIES ANDORGANIZATIONS WITH

MULTI-STATE OFFICELOCATIONS

25

Anthony & Sylvan Pools26

Aquatech,® a National Society of Pool-Building & Retailing Professionals

28

Blue Haven Pools & Spas32

Genesis Design Group34

Master Pools Guild, Inc.38

FEATURES

Designing with PurposeBy David Tisherman

10

It’s ElementalBy Kevin Woodhurst

18

THE REGISTRY120 Lewis Aquatech Pools

Marquise Pools, LLC

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L U X U R Y P O O L SSTATE-BY-STATE GUIDE

45

ARIZONABrandenburg Pool

46

Dolphin Pools & Spas48

HydroScapes, LLC50

ARKANSASElite Pools by Scott

52

C ALIFORNIAAdvanced Pools

54

David Tisherman’s Visuals, Inc.56

Pacific Paradise Pools60

Questar Pools and Spas, Inc.62

CONNECTICUTGroup Works LLC

66

FLORIDAAquatic Consultants, Inc./Brian

Van Bower68

GEORGIAArtistic Pools, Inc.

72

Superior Pools & Maintenance, Inc.

74

ILLINOISDownes Swimming Pool

Company, Inc.76

Platinum Poolcare, Ltd.78

LOUISIANAMorehead Pools

82

M ASSACHUSETTSEnvironmental Pools, Inc.

84

NEW JERSE YCipriano Custom Swimming

Pools & Landscaping86

Creative Master Pools, Inc.88

Liquid Design, LLC 90

Omega Pool Structures, Inc.94

OK L A HOM ABaker Pools

96

Caviness Landscape Design, Inc.98

TE XASCustom Pool Concepts

100

Downunda Pools102

Elite Concepts, Inc.104

Marquise Pools, LLC106

Stone Crest Pools108

Stone Mason of Spring 112

VIRGINIALewis Aquatech Pools

114

WASHINGTONRugged Class Waterfalls & Pools

118

Stone Crest PoolsMorehead Pools Caviness Landscape Design, Inc.Brandenburg Pool

ABOUT THE COVER: Defining true harmony, this amazing poolscape shows how a designer blends every element in the setting to create a gracious outdoor space. The flagstone decking and Select Blue flagstone coping were designed to complement the home’s grand architecture. To learn more about Lewis Aquatech Pools, please read the profile on page 114. Photo courtesy of Lewis Aquatech Pools

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IMITATION IS THE SINCEREST FORM OF FLATTERY. . .

Except When It Comes to Safety.

To be sure, make sure it’s genuine LOOP-LOC.Protect your family with the only safety pool cover proven strong enough to support an elephant: LOOP-LOC. No other cover comes with the LOOP-LOC name woven in the webbing . . . or comes close to our standards. Because at LOOP-LOC, we never forget what’s important to you.

390 Motor Parkway, Hauppauge, NY 11788 | www.looploc.com | 1-800-LOC-LOOP

© LOOP-LOC 2012

MADEIN THEU.S.A.

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10 Luxury Pools � Spring 2012

PROFILE BY DAVID TISHERMAN

Designing with Purpose Great projects start with meaningful design decisions

The work of an accomplished designer begins by knowing the reasons behind the choices he or she makes. That sounds simple enough, buthomeowners should proceed with care because only a handful of builders truly understand design.On the other hand, many others are more or less content to offer a limited set of features, which mayor may not have anything to do with the setting.

Generally speaking, there are three types of pooland spa builders:

The first type is the pool builder who knows therudimentary rules of design. He or she has no back-ground in art or architecture history, only uses design

schemes generated on a computer template, and doesnot charge for the design process.

Next, there is the landscape architect, a professional who is educated in design. Some landscape architects, however, are not experts inswimming pool construction and need to work withan experienced pool contractor.

Finally, there is the educated pool and spa professional who understands both design princi-ples and construction details. He or she bases thework on the relationship between design and construction as it relates to the site environment,always knowing that each and every element—

from the broadest overall concept down to thesmallest detail—must be in the design for a reasonand must be executed flawlessly.

Design DefinedSo how do you know who is an expert pool

designer? The answer starts with knowing that truly

qualified designers form their ideas using the architec-ture of the home, the surrounding setting, and clientinput. These professionals know that there are timeswhen a site’s requirements demand a type of designthat would be totally inappropriate for another venue.

This setting is the perfect visual definition of how a poolscape is more than the pool. Every element—from the lounging area with handcrafted fireplace, fully-equipped outdoor kitchen, and opened and closed arbors with space heaters to the daytime pool and spa water effects—blends in harmoniously with the home’s Craftsman style. Even after careful study, the venue appears to have been in place since the day the house was built. INSET: The pre-renovation pool shell.

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The great thing about childhood is that you can go through life blissfully unaware. Unfortunately,

adults need to pay attention to things like yucky old energy bills. EcoStar® variable speed pump

can help with that. It saves as much as 90% on a pool’s energy bill by precisely matching pump

speed to your pool’s requirements. EcoStar has a digital interface that rotates in any direction

or mounts on the wall for convenience. Our SVRS model provides an added layer of protection

from suction entrapment, without additional devices, plumbing or wiring. Here’s looking at you,

kid. Learn more at hayward.com or call 1-888-Hayward.

EcoStar variable speed pump can save you

up to $1,500 in a single year, when part

of a Totally Hayward® system.

Doesn’t know energy savings

can soar into

the stratosphere, too.

Hayward, Hayward Energy Solutions, Totally Hayward and EcoStar are registered trademarks of Hayward Industries, Inc. © 2012 Hayward Industries, Inc.

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When clients first meet Scott Girner, president/owner of Elite Pools by Scott (EPBS), they are impressed by his passion for pool design and construction. After talking with him, they soon learn that enthusiasm is not his only trait: he is also creative, professional, and exceptionally knowledgeable about the art of luxurypoolscaping. These qualities have helped him elevate hiscompany to one of the top in Arkansas.

Many magnificent homes are built on challenging landscapes where no thought is given to a pool in thefuture. “I create dynamic outdoor living spaces that are intotal harmony with the surrounding environment andlook like they’ve always been a part of the property,”explains Girner. “Discriminating clients come to us whenother builders say the project can’t be done.”

EPBS specializes in custom state-of-the-art low maintenance pools built for maximum enjoyment withminimal effort. “We limit our work to about 20 projectsper year because we want to ensure that each projectreceives maximum focus and personal attention. Myentire team gets personally involved with each productand prides itself with not getting too spread out.”

EPBS focuses on the total design concept making surethat the overall vision is shared by all. “We are not yournormal pool guys,” says Girner. “We want to create over-the-top outdoor environments and aquatic architecture.We take whatever time is necessary to ensure that thecolor, texture, and finish of all surfaces carry out theplanned theme.”

Girner’s work over the past 35 years has been recognized in the industry with a number of nationalawards and honors. Additionally, his reputation mainlygrows through client referrals. “There is a reason whyEPBS is one of Arkansas’ top waterscape designers andbuilders,” explains Girner. “Our formula is this: qualitydesign integrated with superior craftsmanship equals asuccessful project with completely satisfied clients.” �

52 Luxury Pools � Spring 2012

ABOVE LEFT: This eye-catching vanishing-edge pool featuresOklahoma flagstone coping, a stamped-concrete apron, a whitePebble Tech® finish, and two Grand Effects fire/water bowls. Thesparkling water retains its crystal beauty with an automatedParamount in-floor cleaning system.

ELITE POOLS BY SCOTT53 Sologne Circle, Little Rock, AR 72223

501-448-2053 • www.elitepoolsbyscott.comIn Business for 35 YearsBuilds 20 Pools per Year

Service Area Arkansas

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ABOVE AND RIGHT:This amazing backyardplayground features atotally automated,freeform, vanishing-edge pool with a five-person swim-up bar,overflow hot tub, flagstone-lined beachentry, Pebble Tech®

pool finish, three waterfalls, and a graceful bridge. Oklahoma flagstonewas used for the copingand bar seats, whilestamped concreteforms the apron. Thebar includes lightingunder the top andtransparent onyx. Thefully-equipped outdoorkitchen is finishedrough cedar.

C ustomized L uxury

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Don’t be fooled: this pool is far from a simple creation. Built on a hill overlooking urban splendor, this pool’s clean lines, along with the sweeping curve of its vanishing edge and the spare landscaping, play a key role in a carefully planned design to create harmony. Notice how the water flowing from the bowl feature adds vitality to the setting.

Designed by Skip Phillips in conjunction with Island Architects and BruceRudd, Landscape Architect; Photography courtesy of Gary Conaughton

62 Luxury Pools � Spring 2012

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Breathtaking InnovationQuestar Pools and Spas, Inc.

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106 Luxury Pools � Spring 2012

Masters in the

A rt of Luxury

Marquise Pools, one of the Houston area’s premierpool designers and builders, has built a great reputation on creating fantastic poolscapes that arenot only visually beautiful, but also professionallyconstructed with superior materials. Over the years,these practices have won the builder a number of awards from the Association of Pool & Spa Professionals, trade publications, and this year, aprestigious honor from Luxury Pools. The imagesshown here are different angles of the 2012 Pinnacle Awards-winning Chimenti project.

Chris Smith and Greg Watson are partners inthe business, with Watson handling all constructionand implementation and Smith managing the landscape architecture staff. Smith attributes his

company’s success to employing only expert craftsmen. “We take a comprehensive approach todesign, pools and outdoor living spaces,” saysSmith. “We can seamlessly integrate a home with asetting’s landscaping because our professional teamis comprised of registered landscape architects, pool industry veterans, and top-notch service technicians.” In fact, Marquise Pools can design the entire project: hardscape and pool design, landscape, drainage, irrigation, lighting, decks,summer kitchens, cabanas, and pergolas.

The story behind the Chimenti pool is intriguing.Situated on a site that has over 11 feet of elevationdrop to the rear of the property, the pool presenteda set of challenges that Marquise Pools was able

to overcome. “We always create a master plan before we start a project,” says Smith. In this case,Marquise decided to keep the lines of traditionalappearance while incorporating more updated techniques of false perspective, elevation, scale, and proportion. The biggest test was creating amaster plan that married the house’s architecture and scale to the unique natural characteristics of the property. “Having landscape architects involvedin the entire pool design and construction process creates the flow that many sophisticatedclients want and are willing budget for,” says Smith.“They see the value-added element of true design-build firms that invest in a staff with professional credentials.” �

Home project building designer: Patrick Berrios; Landscape architect: Chris D. Smith; Photography by Paul Ladd, www.laddphotography.com

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ABOVE: This project represents true over-scaled Italian style. All of the glass in the pool was special ordered from Italyand the decking is chiseled edge 16-inch by 24-inch pieces of travertine that are brushed and tumbled to create thecobble floors seen all over the Italian region. Multiple temperatures of lighting were specified to create the warmth ofItaly, and still showcase certain parts of the garden with the cool temperatures of the mercury vapor lights.

BELOW: Here the image illustrates the importance of having in-house landscape architects involved in all stages of site planning and design. Defining where you are going to cook, where you’re going to dine, watch the ballgame with cigars and cognac—all of these things play into the flow of the landscape architectural plan.

MARQUISE POOLS, LLC 27326 Robinson Road, Oak Ridge, Texas 77385

281-296-7946 • www.marquisepools.com In Business for 11 YearsBuilds 50 Pools per Year

Service Area Greater Houston area including The Woodlands,

Conroe, Spring, Magnolia, Montgomery, Tomball and Kingwood

The highest point of this project is the upper fountainfeature, which is perched 36 inches above the lower poolelevation. There is a sloped spillway channel that takeswater from the upper fountain and cascades it into thespa, which then flows into the lower pool. The pooldecking systems increase in height to the rear set ofbalustrades to complement the increasing series of water elements to the back retaining wall. This false perspective technique provided the scale and prominenceto fit next to an 18,000-square-foot-house footprint.

Luxury Pools

201220122012

Designer & Builder

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