I think the human body underwater is beautiful," said Ed Rust's client. "Can you build a clear acrylic hot tub?" Rust, who is known as Dr. Spa and runs a Santa Cruz, Calif., business by that name thought to himself, "Wow . . . expensive . . . inefficient . . . never been done. No!" And then the seasoned professional said to the client, "Wow . . . expensive . . . inefficient . . . never been done . . . well, OK."
The client eventually lost interest but Rust was intrigued by the challenge and pushed on alone, eventually creating what he has dubbed the Luminous Ofuro.
The objective was to create a stylish, transparent hot tub with structural integrity and contemporary automation, while maintaining some degree of energy efficiency - all within the confines of an average backyard.
"I was challenged immediately with manipulating hundreds of pounds of Plexiglas sheeting into a durable, watertight vessel, then supporting it, then plumbing it and beautifying it with the functions and features we've come to expect from a high-end spa," says Rust.
The 700-gallon transparent tank has two filters and three pumps: a 1/8 horsepower, a 1 horsepower and a 1 and 1/2 horsepower. The decking is fashioned of ipé and the spa is trimmed with nautical-style brass fittings. Rust figures the project cost about $20,000 including the accessories, labor and crane service.
"I'd describe the outcome as nothing short of a miracle," says Rust. "A unique, reflective soaking tank that combines the simplicity of a Japanese ofuro with the allure of tropical aquaria and the sophistication of modern portable spas."
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