Hot Tubs
Pools
Aquariums
Hotels
Airports
Residences
artificial hot springs
artificial hot springs
whistler hot tub
whistler hot tub
other hot tubs
other hot tubs
pool A
pool B
pool C
pool D
pool E
pool A
pool B
pool C
pool D
pool E
beluga pool
pacific canada
killer whale pool
coral reef tank
beluga pool
pacific canada
killer whale pool
coral reef tank
The Pacific Inn
The Pacific Inn
Airport Rockwork Details
Airport Rockwork Details
Vancouver International Airport
Vancouver International Airport
Other A
Other B
Models
Other A
Other B
Models
Artifical rockwork by artist/designer Peter Heiss. View breathtaking natural rock and waterscapes that enhance pools, exhibits, aquariums, hot tubs and commercial projects.
 
   
home
artificial rock?
what we do
about the artist
FAQ's
our services
contact us
visit the work
the rockwork
process
resources
home
artificial rock?
what we do
about the artist
FAQ's
our services
contact us
visit the work
the rockwork
process
resources

THE water features, rockscapes, waterscapes and poolscapes photo gallery
water feature photo gallery
about artifical rock
constructing water features
water features artist
water feature FAQs
water feature & artifical rockwork construction services
contact us
visit the water features
water feature and poolscape construction process
water feature and poolscape construction process
artificial rockwork & waterscapes resources
artificial rockwork & waterscapes resources
This site is best viewed at a screen resolution of
800 x 600
or greater.
Coral Reef Tank
 
     
project details Artificial Hot Spring more pictures
project details Whistler Hot Tub more pictures
project details Other Hot Tubs more pictures
project details Pool A more pictures
project details Pool B more pictures
project details Pool C more pictures
project details Pool D more pictures
project details Pool E more pictures
project details Beluga Pool more pictures
project details Pacific Canada more pictures
project details Killer Whale Pool more pictures
project details Coral Reef Tank more pictures
project details VIA Rockwork Details more pictures
project details VIA Main Terminal more pictures
project details The Pacific Inn more pictures
project details Other A more pictures
project details Other B more pictures
project details Models more pictures
project details Rockwork Process more pictures
Visit the Work    

Maps and Routes - Vancouver Aquarium
Vancouver Aquarium Exhibit Location Map (and Website)

Maps and Routes - Pacific Inn
Pacific Inn Website

Maps and Routes - Vancouver International Airport
Vancouver International Airport Website
Frequently Asked Questions
 
Why hasn't this technique seen more use?
There is a certain element of risk in the use of this technique. If the rockwork doesn't turn out well, you have a very expensive mess of concrete that is hard to repair, and in the worst case, actually detracts from the setting.
What can be done to reduce the risk?
Make sure you hire a proven designer and carver. Ask the proprietor of the rockwork company who will actually be designing and carving the work. View some of their work. Ask others about what they think of the work. Insist that you are provided with an accurate scale model of the proposed rockwork before you commit to the project. If you designer/carver can't produce an attractive scale model, what are the chances that they will be able to complete on a full scale project?
What if I don't like what I see?
Aesthetics is very hard to argue about. Once the job is done it will be very difficult to get the contractor to accept making changes. Hire a professional designer and carver who's work you like. If you like the contractor you have in mind, he stays on budget and is fast and reliable, find someone who will work with him. Peter Heiss and the Art of Rockwork have worked with many different contractors and know how to provide the right amount of guidance to get the job done.
    more >>
Frequently Asked Questions
 
What about large commercial projects?
The Art of Rockwork has the experience to work productively with both the design team (architects, landscape architects, engineers and the client) as well as the production team (contractors, mechanical trades and landscapers) to ensure that the rockwork you commission will successful in every way.
 
Dedicated 2.0
<< back    
Contact Us     
send us an e-mail at: info@artofrockwork.com
snail mail to: Art of Rockwork
887 Pacific Dr.
Delta, BC
V4M 2K2
call us at: (604) 263-2143
give us feedback about our site: -> click here
Our Services    

  • Design
  • Modeling
  • Consulting
  • Construction
  • Carving
  • Painting
     Although the focus of our artificial rockwork installations is primarily in the United States and Canada, we will accept international commissions under certain circumstances.

     We can handle the entire project, or just a specific aspect depending on your requirements. The Art of Rockwork has the experience to work productively with both the design team (architects, landscape architects, engineers and the client) as well as the production team (contractors, mechanical trades and landscapers) to ensure that the rockwork you commission will successful in every way.

 

 

 




 go back 
     Son of an architect father, Peter gained an early appreciation of aesthetics and the dynamics of form. Fascinated by the natural world, he is an avid diver and has extensively explored the undersea world of the Pacific West Coast and the Hawaiian Islands. Peter is an accomplished painter as well as a sculptor, with a strong affinity for realism and a love of natural subjects. His work is marked by a personal commitment to excellence and meticulous attention to detail. Peter has been sculpting artificial rock since he graduated from the Emily Carr School of Art and Design in 1980.
     Peter's career began as a one of a group of artists hired to sculpt the Vancouver Aquarium's first major theme exhibit, the Amazon Gallery. By the time the project was complete, Peter's special talents had been recognized and he was retained by the Vancouver Aquarium to head the design and construction of the rockwork surrounding the Killer Whale Habitat (opposite) A major undertaking, the pool was one of the first to be designed to reflect the natural habitat of the creatures it was to house. The design called for a backdrop of rockwork based on the Gulf Island sandstone formations in the Strait of Georgia.
  click on any picture to see a larger image more >>
     Peter spent many summer weekends researching sandstone formations in the Gulf Islands, photographing and studying them, both above and under the water. The formations in Campbell Bay on Mayne Island (opposite) inspired much of the design. He produced a detailed model (below) that incorporated the practical requirements of pool maintenance as well as underwater rockwork, a cavity with a blowhole effect and a rubbing beach to make it a more interesting environment for the pool's inhabitants.
     Once the application of the cement began, it was quickly recognized that Peter's sculpting talents far surpassed anyone else's, and he took on full responsibility for this
aspect of the project. The result was so stunning, that the Vancouver Aquarium has employed Peter's talents for every major exhibit they have constructed since.
<< back click on any picture to see a larger image more >>
     Peter's next major project with the aquarium was the construction of the Beluga pool. As it was also to reflect the natural habitat of it's inhabitants, Peter spent two weeks in the high Arctic, photographing and studying the natural rock formations there before designing the rockwork model (opposite).
     Although Peter left the employ of the aquarium after the completion of this project, he has returned, either on contract or in collaboration with other rockwork companies to build a impressive list of exhibits for the Aquarium including a coral reef tank, a pacific northwest exhibit, a kids water park, and just last year, one of his most impressive exhibits, a working salmon stream.

Coral Reef Tank
Pacific North West Exhibit
<< back click on any picture to see a larger image