Watershapes, Water Shapes: Mar 8, 2009

Sunday, March 8, 2009

My Journeys

Paolo Benedetti - Internationally renown Aquatic Artist, Aquatic Architect, & Aquatic Designer
Aquatic Technology Pool & Spa

Maps of My Journeys and links to the Trip Journals
Just click on a map, to review my journal of that trip.

Without learning about the past, we are destined to repeat it!

Plus, why reinvent the wheel? (Because it's easier to innovate!)

Paolo Benedetti - Aquatic Artist
"Creating water as art."™
Aquatic Technology Pool & Spa
©www.aquatictechnology.com

Education, Certifications, Credentials

Paolo has a Degree in Business Management from California State University. He has performed post-graduate and professional studies in the fields of Materials Science, Art History, Architecture, Design & Spatial relationships, Art - Mediums, Materials, & Color Theory, Fluid Dynamics (hydraulics), World History, Geology, Structural Engineering, and Construction Management.

Paolo has continued his professional education in the field of Water Shape Design, by becoming one of the first designers to be certified by the Society of Watershape Designers.

He has performed countless forensic case studies of failed swimming pool structures, consulting for property owners & contractors alike. He sits on committees that write & edit the Contractor's Licensing Exam for the State of California. In 2001, the State of California deemed him a "Subject Matter Expert." Paolo has also previously held a Top Secret Security Clearance.

As a consultant, he has consulted, advised, and designed swimming pools for Architects, other swimming pool contractors, Landscape Architects, and property developers. He has even designed the personal pools of other swimming pool contractors - ones that went onto win international awards for those builders!

As a prolific writer, he has authored numerous technical articles for swimming pool & construction trade magazines. He writes a monthly column for Water Shapes Magazine, entitled "Solutions," wherein he addresses design & construction issues & offers creative solutions.

Paolo is also an educator, teaching the nuances of complex swimming pool design & construction to international audiences at least twice annually at a construction school. He moderates a on-line swimming pool design & construction forum - providing most of the solutions & answers to issues presented.

He is the principal & founder of Aquatic Technology Pool & Spa, and the European design firm "il Studio Paolo." The firm is licensed in California as a General Building Contractor & Swimming Pool Contractor (#721117, classes: B & C-53).

Continuing Education & Experience

Paolo travels the world personally visiting the craftsmen, factories, and vendors that he employs - learning firsthand their capabilities and limitations. He travels the globe seeking to expand the horizons of the inspiration for his designs.

For example, Paolo has studied the architecture of the Moors in Istanbul and at the Alhambra & Generalife in Granada, Espana and various sites around Cordoba, Espana; ancient fountains and ruins of Ephesus, the Roman ruins and pools of Aphrodisias; Roman mosaics in Merida & Italica (Sevilla), Espana; major temples & sites of Egypt; art & tombs of the Etruscans, Phoenesians & Ephesians; the Renaissance Movement, art and the Boboli Gardens in Florence; and the architecture, gardens, & fountains of Versailles.

He has studied art, history & the architecture of Paris, from his townhouse just outside of the city.

He has performed studies of the art of Pablo Picasso & Joan (Juan) Miro in their private studios, and has delved deeper into their art & lives at the Fundacion de Picasso, Malaga, Spain, and Fundacio Pilar i Joan Miro a Mallorca, Balaeric Islands.

He has performed extensive studies of Roman architecture, history, art & mosaics at ancient sites in Spain: Italicia, Merida, Cadiz, Toledo, & Seville; in Italy: Venice, Verona, Rome, Perugia, Milano, Napoli, Monticchiello, Orvieto, Spoleto, Siena, Florence, Como, and Assisi, and various sites in Egypt, France, Greece, Portugal, Turkey, Northern Africa, and the Middle East. He has spent over 4 weeks exploring Turkey, the countryside, it's ancient treasures and biblical sites.

Paolo has expressed a focused interest in the Byzantine era of the Roman Empire. From the adoption of Christianity by Constantine, his influence in the formation of the modern bible, the efforts of Constantine's Mother Helen in collecting the early Relics of Christianity, Helen's maintenance and preservation of the early sites of religious importance, the Roman influence on other societies. The surviving art, architecture, engineering and mosaics of the Byzantine Empire displayed the ever increasing ingenuity of mankind.

He has toured the famous glass factories of Murano, Italy and has observed the glass tile mosaic operations of Bisazza, in Vicenza, Italy. He has visited the operations of granite/marble quarries & processors in places as far away as Turkey, Italy, Vermont, Brazil, & Egypt.

Paolo has experienced Carnival in Venice, Italy. He has explored the House & Gardens of the Virgin Mary (her last known residence) and the ancient sites of the 7 Churches in the Book of Revelations (Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatria, Sardis, Ephesus, Philadelphia, Laodicea).

He has has witnessed a rare performance of Bach's Passion of Christ by the combined companies of the Paris Opera & Paris Symphony - inside Paris' Cathedral de Notre Dame.

The highlight of his travels, was when he was actually allowed to kiss Jesus Christs' Crown of Thorns. It is recognized by the Vatican as one of Christendom's 12 sacred artifacts, attributed to the Passion of Jesus Christ. It origins are documented as far as Saint Helen, the mother of the Roman Emperor Constantine. It was the subject of the Crusades and even the motivation for the construction of the church, Sainte Chapelle. To this day, the Sainte Chapelle church stands nearby the Cathederal de Notre Dame. Stained glass windows & a beautiful alter inside the Sainte Chapelle Church pay homage to the Crown & document it's arrival in Paris. Refer to: www.notredamedeparis.fr/Veneration-of-the-Crown-of-Thorns for more information & images.

On a personal note... Paolo is a student of the martial arts. He holds advanced black belts in tae kwon do & eskrima & he teaches martial arts a few hours each week. He loves cooking for friends & family in his 800 sq. ft. gourmet kitchen - complete with a 14 foot water feature down the center! He enjoys collecting & trading wrist watches, ancient Roman coins, and stamps in his passport. He enjoys spending time in the outdoors with his two teenage sons.

What others are saying about Paolo & his abilities...

"Paolo (Benedetti) is one of the top Aquatic Designers in the World," heralded the editor & publisher of one of the leading consumer luxury swimming pool magazines. "He is constantly surprising us with something new."

He has been described as, "The Aquatic Industry's equivalent of da Vinci & Buonarroti."

"A master illusionist, an expert at deceiving the eye and tricking the brain."

Paolo or his projects have appeared in the Wall Street Journal, CNN, New York Times, USA Today, HGTV, and the following magazines: Robb Report, Lux (Spain), the Affluent Pages, Millionaire, Luxury Pools, Water Shapes, Gentry, Luxury Homes, Options, Lexus, Seasons (the Four Seasons Hotels Magazine), Luxury Real Estate, Aqua, and the Franklin Report.

© The contents contained herein are the copyrighted property of the author. The contents may not be re-published, re-posted, quoted or utilized without the expressed written permission of the author.

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Watershapes, Water Shapes

Aquatic Technology Pool & Spa, "Creating Water as Art."™

Sunday, March 8, 2009

My Journeys

Paolo "Paul" Benedetti - Principal & founder

About Paolo Benedetti

Education, Certifications, Credentials

Continuing Education & Experience

Blog Archive

Followers

Search This Blog

Labels

TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF USE

Watershapes, Water Shapes

Aquatic Technology Pool & Spa, "Creating Water as Art."™

Sunday, March 8, 2009

My Journeys

Paolo "Paul" Benedetti - Principal & founder

About Paolo Benedetti

Education, Certifications, Credentials

Continuing Education & Experience

Blog Archive

Subscribe To

Followers

Search This Blog

Labels

TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF USE