March 5, 2007

Landscaping

In-yard water features popular with homeowners

Jean Sorensen

correspondent

North Vancouver

One of the most sought-after items in today’s residential construction market for the yard is the water pond or fountain, says Vince Macri, owner operator of Select Pools & Spa of North Vancouver, a company providing custom cast-in-place concrete structures. “It’s become very popular,” he says. Homeowners see these features as “a sanctuary” within the yard, a quiet place to go to relax or chat. “They can sit outside and enjoy it visually, or, through the sound it makes,” he says.

These water features are also making resurgence because of the economic times. A company that specializes in providing water features or “architectural water” but didn’t want to be named, said that during strong economies – both now and historically – water features such as fountains have been popular. Throughout Greater Vancouver many of the fountains or water features in buildings can be tied to the Sixties, Eighties and today’s buoyant economies.

Water features that homeowners are choosing range from traditional Roman-style tiered bowls to a more modern design such as the disappearing edge, which gives the illusion of the pool’s edge merging with an ocean view. These backyard (and front yard) pools - which are landscaped and can include fish and pond flora – differ from a regular swimming pool. “A (swimming) pool is a pool and you may use it or not, but a water feature is more of a personal thing to enjoy,” he says. As well, in-yard ponds and fountains are usually only built to a depth of 18 inches so there is not the safety concerns that a pool brings.

As more of these features are built in yards and commercial areas, they gain greater exposure, says Macri, adding this has added to the momentum of the growing popularity.

One of the difficulties in building durable water features in a yard is their exposure to the elements and also ensuring that there are systems in place to keep the pool clean. “If it is not built correctly, it becomes a breeding ground for mosquitoes and turns into just a cess pool,” he says. Low maintenance features therefore have to be built into the structure.

“There are those people who like to maintain it and clean it daily or even weekly, but most of the people, simply don’t have the time. They want something that is low maintenance.”

Macri began in the spa and pool industry 30 years ago at a time when the “swim spa” was popular and that gave him a good introduction to the pumps and other installations used in jetted pools. Eight years ago he started his own venture and provides a range of ponds, pools, and other water-related installations. But, it is the water feature that has become the hot item today and it’s not a low-cost item, Macri points out. They range from $10,000 to $30,000.

Alan Gough

The water pond, or fountain has become one of the most sought-after items for today's residential construction market.

Macri says he is usually called in after a landscaper has proposed a sketch of a yard with a pond. He begins by bringing an engineer onto the site, or working from similar plans which an engineer has recommended. Aspects such as drainage on the property also need to be considered to ensure that storm water has an escape route.

Once these aspects have been taken care of, Macri begins excavation for the wood form and rebar is placed plus the various conduits needed for lighting, filtration, pumping water, and the drains.

Macri puts a large drainpipe at the bottom of the water feature to ensure that it can easily be drained and any cleanup is a simple task. Each water feature comes with its own pump and filtration system to keep water clean and circulating and he uses mainly high quality fittings such as those supplied by PEM Fountain Co. “I build mine very much like a hot tub,” he says.

Concrete is then poured into the form and the water feature is formed. They are custom-formed in a variety of shapes and sizes and tiers. Concrete can be coloured, stamped, or sculpted. Because of the current trend to use concrete in homes today, these features blend with today’s modern home. Macri’s firm doesn’t do the landscaping, but will leave the structure ready for the ferns and water-loving plants that may be planted around or in the pool.

“It’s mainly in residential where we find there is a demand, but we also do some commercial,” he says.

Alan Gough

Water features that homeowners are choosing range from traditional Roman-style tiered bowls to a more modern design such as the disappearing edge, which gives the illusion of the pool's edge merging with an ocean view.

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