Sourcing and installing an outdoor Boulder Shower

PondWorks was asked to source and install boulders for a beach side residential project in Avalon, NJ. Landscape design by Hess Landscape Architects.

After collaborating with Hess Landscape Architects and speaking with a few quarries, a specific stone type was chosen and we acquired a delivery of boulders in order to have a kit-of-parts to work with, and to make the designer’s vision a reality. We used an off road fork lift as a crane to start standing up the stones and see how they fit together at our materials yard. This process had a very Stonehenge-like feel.

We staked out an area and made sure all the boulders fit within the space we will have at the actual project site. After the mock-up was created, we got final approval to proceed with the on-site installation.

A 200 ton crane was scheduled and we showed up to the site with our boulders staged, tagged, and ready to be picked from the street all the way into the rear yard - right in the corner of the new pool deck and next to the gorgeous sand dunes. The boulders were blocked up, shimmed, and mortared in place at their base. The installation went smoothly thanks to the mock up and pre-planning.

After some on-site stone coring and creative plumbing routing we wrapped up our portion of the project by getting the shower head & controls installed and flowing.

This was a quick turnaround, multifaceted build that tapped a number of the unique skill sets that PondWorks offers and enjoys showcasing. We look forward to the next challenge and appreciate the opportunity to take part in a custom design and installation like this.

Koi Pond Progress - Final Rocking

The pond is starting to take shape and look more like a pond. We are adding the finishing touches to the boulders and have added the layers of filtration stones to the bogs. The bogs will help with the natural filtration of the pond. We use layers of three different types of stones to help with the filter the bog. Eventually we will plant aquatic plantings in the filtration medium, which will also help with the filtration process. Just a few more days of final touches and the construction of the waterfall and then we will add the water! Stay tuned...

Koi Pond Progress - Liner & Rocking

We have made a ton of progress at our new koi pond construction job. By a ton, we mean a whole lot of boulders for this pond! The filtration and the liner have been laid out and now we are onto the boulder placement. The boulders not only help secure the liner down, but they also help make the pond look naturalistic and as if it were formed naturally. The boulders are native to Pennsylvania and come from a quarry that we like to keep secret. Our owner Brian Buchholtz takes a lot of pride in his boulders and is exceptionally great at boulder placement. He takes every boulder into consideration and even takes the time to hand select most boulders at the quarry for every project he does. We feel that this attention detail, that most would overlook, helps set us a part as pond builders. The boulder placement takes time and we have learned a lot from many mistakes and successes. We feel very lucky to have the resources and people that we have, on our team. This project is well under way and we look forward to more progress and updates...stay tuned for more!