“As an architect and one drawn to water, I tend to have the urge to merge my passions”.
I am a diver and have witnessed the perfection of the underwater world teeming with aquatic life. Water covers two thirds of this world we call home, prodding me to ask my spiritual adviser, Fr. Jim Atchacoso, if this beautiful world we live in is really meant for us and not primarily for the marine life seen underwater that live in a perfect world of colors and harmony. His response was… “God has so much loved us that he created all these wonderful things for us to cherish and respect”.
This over abundance of water is a sign of His generosity and, if respected, shall always be available to us. No one owns it. No one will. Water is a symbol of life and without it, life, as we know it, ceases to exist. As the most important element in nature, none is more life giving than water.
The passion for water is not unique to me, but is inherent in everyone. All of us entered this world by mysteriously swimming through the life giving water in our mother’s womb. Our bodies consist of two-thirds water. This is probably why we spend the rest of our life seeking out its magic.
People tend to spend their leisure time in or around water. For many, it’s therapeutic. It brings tranquility. It cools. It rejuvenates. It relaxes. It inspires. It’s magical. It soothes the soul. The gratification goes beyond our senses. Resorts and spas flourish because of this phenomenon. Many of us seek our leisure along the beach, beside lakes, rivers and ponds. Seaside communities are top drawers. And in the absence of natural bodies of water, man has resorted to mimicking them.
More and more are attempting to bring water closer, creatively through pools, ponds, spas, or man-made lagoons and waterfalls. Innovations in pool design are found in either a natural setting or in ultra-modern form. Gone are the days of the standard rectangular pools. Today, pools are not just built for swimming but for summoning an atmosphere of reflection and relaxation. People gather and entertain around them and it has become the central feature in some modern homes and communities. Areas are being developed around water to maximize its benefits, particularly in countries such as ours where water complements the warm weather. Water curtains, mists, fountains, and ponds have also been used to cool surroundings. Water oases are now equipped too with the latest in outdoor amenities, such as lounging furniture, barbecue grills, and all-weather music systems.
Dramatic illumination, charming water motion, and interesting landscape further enhance the experience. New materials and modern technology offer designers more options in designing water features. There are endless varieties of stones and pebbles as well as finishes for pools and decks. There are more options with regards to lighting, water pumps and motors, and filtration systems. There are new techniques for orchestrating water motion from mists and trickles, from bubbles to water jets and waterfalls. Innovations in pool design are never ending. Pool concepts with beach entries and wet decks, artificial waves, reflective pools and vanishing edges are being used in a wide variety of styles. There are now alternative purification systems in lieu of chlorine, which are safer, more economical, and friendlier to the environment. Automated cleaning systems are also available and have reduced the woes of maintenance work.
Those who do not have the luxury of space need not fret. These days, there are wall water features, indoor pools, ponds, fountains and aquariums that may be placed in homes and offices. Even tabletop fountains or healing water sound effects are in vogue. Some swear by its relaxing effect; others consider them for good luck.
These days, a pool is no longer a luxury, especially when we consider the over-all benefits it offers the body and the psyche. Water is not only a source of life… it is life itself!
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