Watershape University

CONSTRUCTION 4112: Essential Advanced Watershapes – Residential

This rigorous two-day program is presented sequentially by experts from each trade, unifying all watershaping technical disciplines into a manageable and disciplined process. The focus is on residential pools and spas that include details such as vanishing and slot-edges, moveable floors, advanced automatic covers, and challenging glass tile finishes. Also addressed are projects built in difficult sites requiring soil stabilization, pier and beam foundations, and form-work beyond typical batter boards used for in-ground construction.

Learning Outcomes

  • Review site work including gravity plumbing, soil stabilization, pier and beam foundations, and advanced site work and forming.
  • Identify ozone, U.V. sterilization, advanced oxidation processes (AOP), and control and automation systems.
  • Examine architecturally integrated watershapes, dynamic pool floors and covers, acrylic windows and fire elements.
  • Appraise glass tile installation, innovative aesthetic details, technical solutions to unique challenges and construction strategies at difficult sites.

Accreditation

  • Duration: 16 hours
  • IACET CEUs: 1.6
  • All students who complete the course and evaluation form receive a Certificate of Completion documenting 1.6 IACET CEUs even if they do not continue with the Certified Watershape Professional (CWP) certification.

Delivery

There is one option:

Live In-Person

  • See schedule for upcoming classes
  • A typical course runs 8-hours per day spanning 2-consecutive days (16 hours)
  • Complete attendance is required
  • Ask questions as they come up
  • Manual is provided in class
  • Instructors are available for questions during the lectures
  • Travel, lodging and meals are the responsibility of the student
  • Watershape University provides lunch for both days

Schedule

Check back soon — our schedule may update at any time.

Live In-Person

  • Typically $1,400, although other fees may be applicable
  • Not currently scheduled

Certifications

Watershape University’s CONSTRUCTION 4112: Essential Advanced Watershapes – Residential is one of three options required for the Certified Watershape Professional (CWP) certification.

CONSTRUCTION 4112: Essential Advanced Watershapes – Residential supports the following certifications:

International Watershape Institute (IWI)
International Watershape Institute (IWI)
Certified Watershape Professional (CWP)
Certified Watershape Professional (CWP)

Licensing and CEUs

The Certified Watershape Professional (CWP) certification may be used for contractor licensing and required continuing education in certain jurisdictions. The CWP certification builds upon the CWF certification; therefore, all Certified Watershape Professionals (CWPs) are also CWFs which support licensing in the following jurisdictions:

Details

CONSTRUCTION 4112: Essential Advanced Watershapes – Residential is intended for and attended by architects, landscape architects, designers, builders, installers, consultants, contractors, subcontractors, and service and maintenance professionals — particularly those looking to expand their business into high-end vanishing and slot-edge pools and waterfeatures.

Level: 4 – Senior / Advanced / Applied Theory

CONSTRUCTION 4112: Essential Advanced Watershapes – Residential requires the following prerequisite course, or approved equal:

  • CONSTRUCTION 2111: Essential Pool Construction more→

Manual Table of Contents

  • Soil Stabilization
  • Pier & Beam Foundations
  • Basic Gravity Hydraulics
  • Natural Swimming Ponds
  • Ozone, U.V. Sterilization & Advanced Oxidation Processes
  • Control & Automation Systems
  • Advanced Site Work & Forming
  • Advanced Reinforcing Steel
  • Architecturally Integrated Watershapes
  • Dynamic Pool Floors & Covers
  • Acrylic Windows
  • Glass Tile Installation
  • Fire Elements
  • Details — Innovative Aesthetic & Technical Solutions
  • Construction at Difficult Sites
  • Troubleshooting — What to Look For
CONSTRUCTION 4112: Essential Advanced Watershapes - Residential

Authorized Faculty

Ben Lasseter, IWI

Ben Lasseter, IWI

As Partner and Director of Construction, Benjamin is responsible for bringing Design Ecology’s designs to life. He oversees all construction projects from planning to completion while managing a skilled team of craftsmen to provide unparalleled attention to detail. After earning his B.S. in Horticulture at Texas A&M Benjamin gained valuable experience working as Assistant Superintendent on one of the nation’s top resort golf courses. He moved on to manage the construction division of a landscape architecture firm for 4 years where he built luxury estate landscapes and pools. Benjamin opened his own landscape design and construction company in early 2009 & joined with Scott Cummings, RLA, ASLA and CB in 2010 to form Design Ecology.

David Penton, IWI

David Penton, IWI

Principal — Fluid Dynamics Pool and Spa, Inc.

David Penton, IWI, is president of Fluid Dynamics Pool & Spa Inc. – a Boutique Watershape Construction and Consulting firm located in Southern California. Fluid Dynamics is recognized around the world as one of the premier watershape construction and consulting firms within the high-end, elite estate property marketplace. Penton is also one of the principals for Ask The Masters – an Arizona based LLC focused on continuing education and mentoring for professionals ​working in the outdoor living space. He is a regular host of the Ask The Masters Podcast and has been a guest on CBS This Morning, the Pool Chasers Podcast and WATERtv. He is regularly featured in many trade and consumer publications. Penton is a graduate of Genesis University – where he has been an instructor and served in leadership for years as a member of the Society of Watershape Designers.

David J. Peterson, P.E. IWI

David J. Peterson, P.E., IWI

President/CEO — Watershape Consulting, Inc.

Peterson is President/CEO of Watershape Consulting, Inc., an international planning, design and engineering firm providing owners, architects, contractors, and the legal profession with services relating to residential, commercial and institutional pools, spas and water features.

He obtained his B.S. Civil Engineering at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and is a registered engineer in several states. Peterson has been in the watershape industry since 1994 when he began his career designing life support systems for large aquariums and marine mammal exhibits. He was Vice President Engineering at Polaris Pool Systems where he developed and patented several products.

Peterson reorganized the Genesis 3 Design Group into GENESIS® University in 2012. When GENESIS merged with the National Swimming Pool Foundation (NSPF) in 2016, Peterson became Director of Education for GENESIS, a position he held until forming Watershape University.

Paolo Benedetti, IWI

Paolo Benedetti, IWI

President/CEO — Aquatic Technology Pool & Spa

Paolo Benedetti is the President/CEO of Aquatic Technology Pool & Spa and Lux Environs, one of the world’s leading luxury design and build construction firms. Since 1993, Aquatic Technology has been a leader in the aquatics industry, having developed many new and cutting-edge concepts. As a licensed pool builder and general building contractor, he has managed the design or construction of residential and commercial aquatics projects, vacation resorts, and high-end luxury residences. After receiving his Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management, Paolo continued his post-graduate studies in construction management and technology, architecture and design, material sciences, aquatic design and hydraulics.

Over three decades in the aquatics industry he has developed a faithful following of loyal clients. Their unwavering trust in his attention to detail, evolved into a parallel firm, Lux Environs. Lux Environs was founded to provide these demanding individuals with luxury residential design and consulting services, construction management, owner’s agent – representative and quality control services. As the fiduciary for these high-net-worth individuals, he frequently collaborates with world-class architects, builders and design professionals. His creative, imaginative and ingenious insights have proven invaluable in resolving design dilemmas with cost effective solutions. Clients include heads of state, billionaires, titans of industry, celebrities, sports stars, and those that simply demand the best life has to offer.

Paolo’s projects have spanned the globe, Africa, South America, the Caribbean, Middle East, Europe and across North America. He is court recognized as an expert in construction practices, building codes and trade standards. His firms provide design & consulting services to other builders, property owners and developers; corporate training, project and process evaluations; workmanship assessments; forensic investigations; construction defect inspections; expert witness services; and personal injury litigation support.

Paolo’s work has graced the pages of Architectural Digest, Dwell, LUX, Luxury Real Estate, Residential Design/Build, Dream Home, Millionaire, Conde Naste, Ambiance Piscines, Home World, Ocean Home, LA Times, USA Today, Wall Street Journal, and has appeared on countless TV programs. His projects have twice been granted Masters of Design Awards by Pool & Spa News Magazine. One of only 17 Masters within the Genesis Design Group, Paolo brought his talents to Watershape University upon its inception. He is currently a member of the Watershape University Leadership Team and one of a few that have achieved membership in the prestigious International Watershape Institute (IWI).

Rick Chafey, IWI

Rick Chafey, IWI

Co-Owner — Red Rock Contractors | Red Rock Pools & Spas

Richard T. Chafey is one of the owners and managing members of Red Rock Contractors, Red Rock Pools and Spas and Red Rock Design; one of the Nation’s leading luxury design/build contractors. Red Rock’s mission is to build lasting relationships with customers, subcontractors, vendors, and employees as well as the communities it does business within. Their emphasis on relationships and quality construction is what has fueled their success and growth.

Since 1998 Red Rock Contractors and Red Rock Pools and Spas, has been one of the nation’s leading custom building, pool, water feature and landscape Design Build Contractors. Red Rock has grown and continues to evolve into one of the most dynamic and diverse custom building contractors nationwide; offering their customers a single source solution to all of their luxury design/build needs from commercial building construction to residential landscape design and installation. Our work has graced the pages of countless magazines, newspapers, and has been recognized nationally on the Travel Channel, HGTV, Animal Planet and the Discovery Channel over a dozen times. We were named 2014 Masters of Design by the Pool and Spa News Magazine. We are the recipient of numerous International Awards of Excellence by the Association Pool and Spa Professionals.

Rick attained Master status within the GENESIS 3 Design Group, one of only 17 designers in the world to obtain that level of training in the pool and spa industry. He is a current member of the International Watershape Institute and is on the Leadership Team of Watershape University. Chafey’s and Redrock’s specialties include: Luxury Home Design and Construction; Custom Water Feature Design and Construction; Commercial and Resort Pool Construction; Custom Landscape Design and Construction; and Luxury Residential Pool Design and Construction. We also offer 3D Computer Rendering, Project Management, Construction Consulting, Forensic-Expert Witness Investigation Services.

William T. Drakeley, ACI, IWI

William T. Drakeley, ACI, IWI

President — Drakeley Pool Company

William Drakeley is an award-winning shotcrete technologist specializing in concrete science and construction, particularly shotcrete applications, techniques and standards, with thirty years (+) experience in shotcrete installation, waterfeature and geotech design and construction. Services include consultation and review, training and testing and expert testimony. He’s principal and founder of Drakeley Pool Company, a luxury design and build firm based in New England; and, Drakeley Industries, an international consulting firm focusing on shotcrete applications and techniques, notably providing training for the New York City Metropolitan Transit Authority underground tunneling projects.

An educator and advocate for high industry standards, Bill has most recently developed and launched Watershape University (WU) with colleague David Peterson, P.E. to provide the highest quality of live instruction of business, design, engineering and construction programs to students of all levels of pool, spa, aquatics and outdoor living sectors. Bill has conducted trainings for the Colorado School of Mines, the American Society of Landscape Architects (CT), World of Concrete, GENESIS 3, Aqua Show, NESPA, and others. His technical writings have been widely published in trade magazines and e-publications.

Just getting started?

Most students begin with our 3-day pool construction course.

Online On-Demand

Watershape University’s Certified Watershape Foreman (CWF) certification is recognized by the following jurisdictions for continuing education and licensing purposes:

Core Class Refresh

Would you like free access to our core online classes, including our 3-day Essential Pool Construction, 2-day Essential Fluid Engineering Workshop (with the latest worksheets!), Color Theory, Principles of Design, and others?

Watershape University provides free access to individuals that have already completed equivalent courses with other institutions. We recognize that our students often want to refresh their knowledge in specific subjects but it doesn’t make sense to repeat a paid class when there are so many other new opportunities to expand knowledge through advanced classes, our webinars, our magazine, etc.

Our Core Class Refresh program is available to authorized employees of Certified Watershape Companies (CWC). To get authorized, simply upload your complete transcript(s) from other institutions so that we can verify which courses you are eligible for. You may upload transcripts through the Portal. Please contact Charlie with any questions.