The Fabulous College Life
Forget the dorms; Arizona universities go big - resort style
Phoenix's Shasta Pools and Spas Commercial Division, in conjunction with Hardison Downey Kitchell and American Campus Communities, has designed posh, resort-like areas at Arizona State University, the University of Phoenix, Grand Canyon University and Estrella Community College.
"Shasta Pools has built waterparks for resorts, as well as NCAA aquatic facilities such as Arizona State University's Mona Plummer Aquatic Center, but bringing the resort-style pools to dorm life is an exciting new trend," says John Neely, senior marketing manager.
When ASU's Vista del Sol opened its doors for the fall 2008 semester, students were greeted with accommodations that some pay a lot of money to enjoy in the neighboring resort town of Scottsdale.
These college residents are treated to a palm tree-lined pool and spa area dotted with lounge chairs, as well as an outdoor area complete with a fireplace, kitchen and plush seating.
Other university projects Shasta has completed include a 5,000-square-foot pool, therapeutic spas, poolside cabanas, custom stone decks, a koi pond and waterfalls.
Artistic Imagination
One man's trash is another man's treasure
British artist Oliver Bishop-Young was tired of seeing empty skips - the United Kingdom term for dumpster - around town and decided to transform them into something the public could enjoy. Aside from transforming the trash containers into a skateboard park, living room, tennis area and mini park, Bishop-Young also transformed one of them into a swimming pool.
Let's Go To The Dive-In
Putting a modern twist on a classic activity
Modeled after a similar promotion at a smaller Harrah's property to spice up wintertime, the double-feature night, complete with light food and drink, was perfect for anyone who wanted to float under the glass dome or relax in the hot tub and take in a few movie.
R. Scott Barber, president of Harrah's, told the Courier-Post that crowds ranged from 300 to 600. Because of its success, Barber hopes to host Dive-In Movies night throughout the year, not just during summer. Be sure to check it out if you're headed to the Atlantic City Pool & Spa Show this January.
Chasing Waterfalls
The New York City Waterfalls exhibit brightens the city
"By commissioning Olafur Eliasson's The New York City Waterfalls, we are redefining public art as a vital force in the city and encouraging people to stop and look at their surroundings in a whole new way," Susan K. Freeman, president of the Public Art Fund, said in a press release.
The waterfalls, located on the Brooklyn Bridge, Brooklyn Piers, at Pier 35, north of the Manhattan Bridge, and Governors Island, ranged from 90 to 120 feet tall.
"In developing The New York City Waterfalls, I have tried to work with today's complex notion of public spaces," said Eliasson. "The waterfalls appear in the midst of the dense social, environmental and political tissue that makes up the heart of New York City. They will give people the possibility to reconsider their relationships to the spectacular surroundings, and I hope to evoke experiences that are both individual and enhance a sense of collectivity."
The waterfalls were designed to protect water quality and aquatic life and used energy from renewable sources. It took a team of nearly 200 to design, engineer and construct the works of art. Construction scaffolding forms the backbone of the falls and pumps cycle water from the East River to the top of each structure before it falls back into the river.
The exhibits operated daily on an alternate schedule and were lit by energy-efficient LED lights after sunset. Officials say 90 percent of the materials used will be reused in other construction projects.
