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!

Koi Pond Progress - Site Layout

In December, we wrote about and exciting design project for a new koi pond. After a lot of planning and coordination with all project parties and township permitting we are finally breaking ground in Bucks County, Pa! This week we visited the site and measured out the pond. Thanks to our drone we were able to check our measurements and the layout of the pond was right on point. You can see in the image below that we super imposed our site plan on-top of a photo of the site from our drone and everything is lining up. The first step to this construction process is the construction of a retaining wall due to a slight grade in the backyard and we need to a level site to construct this pond. Once the grade is level and the wall is constructed we will start digging the pond. Stay tuned for more project updates!

Koi Pond Design-Build Project

This winter we have been busy designing a new koi pond for a client in Bucks County, PA. Not only are we designing the pond in-house, but we are also teaming up with our landscape division, Stillwater Landscape Associates. With the help of Stillwater we have been able incorporate planting schemes in and around the pond. We are excited for Spring to come and start building another new pond for our clients and their fish!

Philadelphia Zoo Duck Pond

PondWorks has been awarded the contract to build the duck pond and stream exhibit at the Philadelphia Zoo’s new KidZoo U: Hamilton Family Children’s Zoo & Faris Family Education Center.

Scheduled to open in the Spring of 2013 the project will include indoor and outdoor interactive exhibits geared towards young visitors. The project is being managed by W.S. Cumby Construction Managers. The new interactive children’s center will transform both indoor and outdoor space and will be the first LEED certified zoo building in Pennsylvania. The duck pond exhibit will incorporate an upper pond, stream, waterfalls and lower pond into the larger outdoor landscape designed by Viridian Landscape Studio. The outdoor setting will set a new standard in storm water management and sustainability for the zoo. The duck habitat will be one part of the outdoor design that includes rainwater collection, wetland and native plantings and a natural landscape that references Southeastern Pennsylvania.

Vortex Spray on Liner

PondWorks just took delivery and completed training for their new portable spray rig to apply polyurea spray on liner, by Vortex. This liner is extremely durable and can be used in a near limitless range of applications, including garage floors, decks, piers, boats, ponds, fountains, basements, trailers and truck beds, just to name a few. We are excited about the product and how it will help us to provide quality spray on lining for our customers.