the outdoor shower: creative design ideas for backyard living, from the functional to the fantastic

TheOutdoorShower

TheOutdoorShowerCreativeDesignIdeasforBackyardLiving,fromtheFunctional

totheFantastic

EthanFierro

ThemissionofStoreyPublishingistoserveourcustomersbypublishingpracticalinformationthatencouragespersonalindependenceinharmonywith

theenvironment.

EditedbyDeborahBalmuthandCarleenMadiganPerkinsArtdirectionbyKentLewandVickyVaughnCoverdesignbyKarenSchoberandKentLewTextdesignbyKarenSchoberTextproductionbyKristyMacWilliamsCoverandinteriorphotographs©EthanFierroIllustrations©RobertLaPointeIndexedbyChristineR.Lindemer,BostonRoadCommunicationsCopyright©2006byEthanFierroAllrightsreserved.Nopartofthisbookmaybereproducedwithoutwrittenpermissionfromthepublisher,exceptbyareviewerwhomayquotebriefpassagesorreproduceillustrationsinareviewwithappropriatecredits;normayanypartofthisbookbereproduced,storedinaretrievalsystem,ortransmittedinanyformorbyanymeans—electronic,mechanical,photocopying,recording,orother—withoutwrittenpermissionfromthepublisher.

Theinformationinthisbookistrueandcompletetothebestofourknowledge.AllrecommendationsaremadewithoutguaranteeonthepartoftheauthororStoreyPublishing.Theauthorandpublisherdisclaimanyliabilityinconnectionwiththeuseofthisinformation.ForadditionalinformationpleasecontactStoreyPublishing,210MASSMoCAWay,NorthAdams,MA01247.

Storeybooksareavailableforspecialpremiumandpromotionalusesandforcustomizededitions.Forfurtherinformation,pleasecall1-800-793-9396.PrintedintheChinabyR.R.Donnelley10987654321

LIBRARYOFCONGRESSCATALOGING-IN-PUBLICATIONDATA

Fierro,Ethan.Theoutdoorshower/byEthanFierro.p.cm.Includesindex.ISBN-13:978-1-58017-552-4;ISBN-10:1-58017-552-x(pbk.:alk.paper)ISBN-13:978-1-58017-606-4;ISBN-10:1-58017-606-2(hardcover:alk.paper)1.Showers(Plumbingfixtures)I.Title:Outdoorshower.II.Title.

TH6492.F542006696′.182—dc22

2005034731

Coolsummereveningilluminedfirefliesbecomelighthousesinsteam

TothebelovedMoosiandallwhoappreciatedeeplyresidinginhotwater.

Contents

Introduction

CHAPTER1ShowerBasics

FindingtheRightSpotWaterSupplyHotWaterPlumbingConsiderationsWaterDrainageTheShowerFloorWallsandEnclosuresFixturesLightingtheShower

CHAPTER2ChoosingBuildingMaterials

WoodStoneTileBrickGlassConcreteMetalStuccoandPlasterBamboo

CHAPTER3PermanentOutdoorShowers

TheMinimalistShower

TheEnclosed/AttachedShowerTheSemi-DetachedShowerTheFullyDetachedShowerTheIndoor-OutdoorShower

CHAPTER4TemporaryShowers

TheSolarShowerTheFixed-LocationCampShowerTheEntomoShowerTheOpportunisticShower

CHAPTER5PlanningandDesign

BudgetandScheduleFindingaGoodContractorDesignIdeas

Resources

Acknowledgments

Index

Introduction

SHOWERINGOUTDOORSisoneofthegreatestwaystoconnectwiththewonderandbeautyofthenaturalworld.Standingoutside,washingawaythestressesofalongday,whileenjoyingyournaturalsurroundingscreatespeaceofmindandanewlevelofrelaxation.Thisdelightfulmomentmaybeonethatyou’lllookforwardtorepeatingeveryday,yearafteryear.

Inadditiontotheirpracticalnature—washingoffsandanddirtoutsidehelpskeeptheinteriorofyourhouseclean—showeringoutdoorsalsocreatesasenseoffreedomthatcomeswithbathinginaplacesetawayfromthepaceofdailylife.Addtothatfeelingadegreeofpersonalsatisfactionfromhavingcreatedthissanctuaryyourself,utilizingyourfavoritematerials,andyouhavethemakingsofamemorableshoweringexperience.

IgrewupinthewoodsofMartha’sVineyardusinganoutdoorshowermyfatherbuilt.Itwasasemicircularenclosurehehadcreatedbydrivingpostsintothegroundinalargecurveandbendingsoakedcedarboardsaroundtheface.Overtime,Englishivygrewupthewallandovertheopenlatticeworkontop,givingalushappearancetotheenclosure.

Ilovedusingthatshower.Theopenskyabove,wherethesteamroseanddissipated,andthefinelycarvedwoodendoorlatchthatmadeasoftyetdistinct“shah-thunk”soundeverytimethedoorclosed:allarebelovedmemoriesthathavestayedwithmethroughtheyears.Thatoutdoorshoweropenedmyeyestoanewwayofworkingwithmyenvironment,andmyfather’sartisticexamplehasinspiredmeinmyownarchitecturaldesigns.

Ihopethat,inadditiontogivingyouabasicunderstandingofhowoutdoorshowerswork,thedifferentoptionsformaterialsandconstruction,andhowtogoaboutcreatingyourowndesign,thisbookwillalsoinspireyoutothinkdifferentlyabouttheenvironmentaroundyou.Youroutdoorshowerprojectiswaitingtobegin.

CHAPTER1ShowerBasics

Thelastdropsofwaterfallfromacurvedshowerheadpipesimplyaffixedtoawoodenboardpedestal.

ESSENTIALLY,THEOUTDOORSHOWER,likeitsindoorcounterpart,isasimpleplumbingsystemwithcommoncomponents—watersupply,waterdrainage,plumbing,andfixtures.Mostpeopleliketoshowerwithhotwater,sowaterheatingshouldalsobeconsidered.Andbecauseofitslocationoutdoors,propersiting,enclosures,andlightingareadditionalvariablesthatwillaffecthowenjoyableyouroutdoorshoweristoactuallyuse.

Thereareotherpracticalelementstoconsiderwhileyouaredesigningyourshowerthatwillhelpyoudeterminewhatkindofstructuretobuildandwheretolocateit.Willitbeinoperationseasonallyoryear-round?Ifseasonally,isitinaregionthatfreezesinthewinter?Ifitis,theplumbingwillrequiredrainagevalvestobeinstalled,andyou’llneedtodrainthepipesbeforewintertokeepthemfrombursting.Howmuchprivacyshouldtheshoweroffer?Somepeopleprefertohaveacompletevisualbarrierbetweenthemselvesandpotentialonlookers,whileotherswouldrathernotblocktheviewofthesurroundinglandscape.It’softenprudenttobuildforthemostmodestpersonalityinthecrowd,toalloweveryonetoenjoytheoutdoorshoweringexperience.

ThisoceanfrontshoweronMartha’sVineyard,Massachusetts,isconstructedof

weatheredwhitecedarstakesattachedtoacurvedmetalframe.

Materialqualityisakeyfactorinthelongevityofyourshower.Themoredurablethebuildingmaterialsare,thelongerthelifespanyourshowerwillhave.Forexample,usingcement,metal,orwoodenproductsthatthriveinallclimaticconditionswillallowfordecadesofenjoyment.Theaestheticqualitiesofthematerialsyouchoosealsoshouldnotbeoverlooked;you’llwantyourshowertobeattractiveaswellasdurable.Intheend,thequalityoftheshoweringexperiencewillbeenhancedbythequalityofthematerialsusedinbuildingtheshower—andyoushouldaimforthebestshoweringexperienceyourbudgetwillallow.

FindingtheRightSpot

Choosingthelocationforyouroutdoorshowerisadecisionthatwillhavefar-reachingimpactonalltheotherstagesofdesign,construction,anduse.Youroutdoorshower’splacementintheenvironmentwillaffecttheamountofprivacyyou’llhavewhenyou’reusingit,howyourshoweraccentuatesthesurroundingarchitectureandlandscaping(and,conversely,howthesurroundingarchitectureandlandscapingaffectyourshoweringexperience),whatdegreeoftechnologyisrequiredtooperatethemechanicalsystems,andthematerialsthatwillbemostdesirableformeetingtheneedsofallofyourshower’sfunctionalandaestheticconsiderations.

Whenchoosingthelocationforyourshower(showerstylesarecoveredindetailinchapter3)youneedtopredeterminewhatkindofshoweryouwanttobuildinordertothenfindalocationthatwillbesuitableforyourdesign.Whenbuildingapermanentshoweraroundyourhome,greatcarewillberequiredtomakesurethatthelocationissuitableforyourneeds,asyouwilllivewiththischoicewellintothefuture.However,ifyouwanttoerectatemporaryshowerinyouryardjustforaseason,thenbyallmeans,tryonelocationthefirstseason,andanotherthenextyear.

Theshoulder-highDouglasfirenclosureofthisshowergivesbatherssome

privacy,whilestillaffordingthemaviewoftheoceaninthedistance.

Hereareafewpointstoconsiderinyourquesttoidentifytheidealoutdoorshowersite:

Doyouwanttheshowerinanout-of-the-waylocation,offeringprivacynotonlybydesignbutalsofromremoteness?

Isaccessibilityanimportantfactor?Ifso,considerlocatingtheshowernexttoanexteriordoororoften-usedpathwayforthesakeofconvenience.

Doyouwanttomakeuseofanypre-existingstructuralsupportsuchasexteriorwalls,decks,overhangingeaves,trellises,stairways,paths,oralcoves?Ifso,thenenvisionhowyoucanseamlesslyincorporateyourshowerintotheseareas.Takingadvantageofexistingstructuresisawaytoconservematerialsandmakethemostofwhatyoualreadyhave.

Anoldadageforthehomeownerwhensitingahouseistolocateitinthemostunappealingspaceonthelandsothatyouendupviewingthebeautifulareasfromthislocation.Thesamecouldholdtrueforthelocationofyourshower—placeitinaspotthatisrelativelyunappealingtolookat,butwhichhasanattractiveview.

Gatherallofthepeople(family,presumably)whowillbelivingwithandusingtheshower.Haveeveryonegooutsideandseparatelywalkaroundandwritedownhisorhertopthreelocationsofchoice.Thenreconveneanddiscusswhytheymadethechoicestheydid.Focusontheoverlapofareas(iftherewereany),andbegintonarrowyoursearchthroughaconsensualdecision-makingprocess.

Youmustalsoconsiderthechallengesyourpotentialshowersitewillofferforconstruction.You’llneedtoassessthebestwaytoaccesstheareaforimportingbuildingmaterials.Isthereadequateroomforatrucktodelivermaterialstothesite?Ifnot,wherewillthosematerialsbedelivered,andhowwillyougetthemtothesite?Willyouoryourcontractorhaveroomtonavigatethesitewithtoolsandmachinery?Ifspaceistightoraccessawkward,youmayneedtobrainstormwaystomakemovementaroundthesiteeasierandsafer.

WaterSupply

Wateristheelementthatmakestheshowerashower;withoutityouarehighanddry.Dependingonthegeographicalregionwhereyou’rebuildingyourshower,watercanbeaccessedfrommanydifferentsources,includingprivatewells,municipalwatersupplies,raincatchments(especiallyinaridregionswithdwindlingwatersupplies,orincertaintropicalenvironmentswherethereisbountifulrainandapoorwatertable),pondsorlakes,rivers,thermalhotsprings,andevendesalinizationplants(suchasinocean-borderingdesertregions).Thetrickisingettingthatwatertoyourshower.

Ifyouroutdoorshowerisgoingtobelocatednearyourhome,thebestsourceofwaterforitisyourhome’splumbingsystem.Theplumbingcansimplybeextendedtotheexteriorofthebuildingatthelocationwhereitpassesclosesttoyourshower’sintendedlocation.Incolderregions,however,theexteriorextensionoftheplumbingwillneedtobewinterized(seepage21).

AVermontstreamisfunneledthroughancientwater-wornstone,creatingtheperfectnaturaloutdoorshower.Ifyou’reluckyenoughtoliveinsuchasetting,thestreammayalsoprovidewaterforyourconstructedoutdoorshower.

Outdoorshowersaremostoftenconnectedtothehouseholdplumbingsystem.

Inthisscenario,waterentersthesysteminthebasement,fromawellpumpormunicipalsupplyline.Thelinethensplitsintwo:onelinefeedsintoahotwaterheater(andthensuppliesthehouseandoutdoorshowerwithhotwater)andtheotherlinedeliverscoldwater.

CisternsArooftopstoragetankorcisterncanalsobeusedtosupplywatertoanoutdoorshower.Oftenthecisternsystemisanecessityofthelocation;itmaybetheonlyoptionforacquiringfreshwaterinadryenvironmentwhereadeepwellwouldotherwiseberequired.Somehouseholdsintropicallocalesstorerooftopraincatchmentwater,whichisplentiful,incisterns.Rooftopcisternsarealsousedonislandswherethewatertableisunreliableorisinfiltratedbyseawater,makinggroundwaternonpotable.High-riseurbanhousingenvironmentsalsoutilizerooftopcisterntechnology,asthegravitationalforceofacistern-operatedsystemprovidesplentyofnaturalpressureforthebuilding’splumbingsystem.(Thiswater,however,isnotfromraincatchmentbutispumpeduptotherooffromadistantreservoir.)

Cisternstypicallyholdaverylargevolumeofwater,anywherefrom1,000to25,000gallons(3.8to94.6kL).Consideringthephysicalforcesatworkwhenlargevolumesofwaterarebeingcollectedinacontainer,cisternsarecomplextoengineerandconstruct.Thebuildershouldbewellversedwithallstructuralandengineeringrequirementsforthesitelocation,intendedvolumeofstorage,andconstructionmaterials.

HotWater

Thoughyoumusthavewatertohaveashower,youdon’tnecessarilyneedhotwater.Acaseinpointisthecampshower,whereyoumaybewashing“ontherun,”anddon’treallycareifthewaterishotornot.Orifthereisnosuntoheataportablesolarshower(seepage104)andyoudon’twanttoheatwateronastoveandmixupacomfortablebathforyourself,thenyouwillhavetosettlefortheambient-temperaturewateronhand.Similarly,inmosttropicalsituations,theaverageambienttemperatureissomildthatshoweringwithonlytheunheatedwateronhandisfine.

However,ifyouwanttheoptionofahotshower,thentheremustbeasysteminplaceforcreatinganddeliveringthisheatedwatertoyourshower.Thereareafewdifferentoptionsforheatingthewaterusingvariouskindsofenergyand

technology.

HouseholdTankHeatersAsthemainwatersupplylineentersabuilding,thecoldwaterlinesplitsoff,sendingamainleadintoaheatertoexitashotwater,whiletheotherlineremainscoldandwillrunparallelthroughoutthebuildingwiththehotlinetoprovidethehot/coldoptionforallofthewater-basedappliances.Thefirsttypeofwaterheateristhetankstyle.Thisisacylindricaltankwithanelectricorfuel-burningelementunderneaththatheatsthewatertoapredeterminedtemperature.Ananti-scalddeviceisincluded,sothatatnoplaceinthebuildingwillthewatercomeoutsohotthatitburnstheunawareuser.Thewaterdoeshavetostartoffhotenough,though,toremainhotwhenitissupplyingthemostdistantfaucetfromthetank.Awell-insulatedhot-waterpipewillhaveaminimallossofheatoverthecourseofthewater’sjourneyfromtanktotap.

Ifyoudecidetohookupyouroutdoorshowertoyourhouseholdplumbing,itcanbecomejustonemoreofthefixturesthatdrawfromthehouseholdhotandcoldwaterlines.

WHILEYOUWEREGONE

Second-homeownerstakespecialnote:Whentheplumbinginahousegoesunusedformonthsatatime,thewatersittinginatankhot-waterheaterwillbecome“cooked”asitbuildsuphighlevelsofhydrogensulfide,leavingyourhousesmellingofrotteneggs.Toavoidthisproblem,turnoffthehot-waterheaterifthebuildingisgoingtobeemptyforanextendedperiod.Also,ifthebuildingisgoingtobeemptyatatimewhentemperaturestypicallydropbelowfreezing,thentheentireplumbingsystemshouldbedrainedandthetoiletsfilledwithantifreezetopreventpipesfrombursting.

On-DemandHeatersSincethetraditionaltank-stylewaterheaterconsumescopiousamountsoffuel(becauseitmaintainsavolumeofwateratahightemperaturecontinuously),someenergy-conscioushomeownersarechoosingtoinstallon-demandwaterheaters.Anon-demandheaterflash-heatsthewateryouneedonlywhenthehot

waterfaucetisopened.Therestofthetime,thewaterisheldatroomtemperature.Thisisanefficientapproachtowaterheatingbecauseextraenergyisnotneedlesslyconsumedforhotwaterstorage.Inaddition,theon-demandheatersaresmallcomparedtotraditionalwaterheatersandthusrequirelessstoragespace.Theyalsotendtorequirelessmaintenanceandcostlesstooperate.On-demandheatersmayalsobepreferableforsecond-homeowners(see“WhileYouWereGone,”thispage).

On-demandheatersflash-heatwateronlywhenneeded,savingonenergycosts.Thecoldlinebifurcatesbeforeenteringtheunit,sendingwaterthroughtheheaterforaslongastheshowerison.Theheaterimmediatelyshutsdownswhentheshoweristurnedoff.

SolarHeatersAlow-impactoptionforheatingwatertosupplyyouroutdoorshowerisasolar-poweredsystem.Thesolarsystemworksbyharnessingenergyfromthesunand

convertingittoheatandelectricity.Solarcollectorsintheformofphotovoltaicpanelsconvertthesun’senergyintoelectricitythatcanpowerawatercirculationpump.Thispumpmovescoldwaterthroughasolarheater,whichcollectsenergyfromthesuntosignificantlyraisethewater’stemperature.Onceheated,thehotwaterispumpedintoastoragetank,whereitcanlaterbeaccessedandmixedwithcoldwaterasnecessaryintheshower.Ifyouarebuildingasolar-heatedoutdoorshower,thenyouneedtorunonlyacold-watersupplylineouttotheshowerlocation.Attheshowerlocation,thesupplylineshouldsplit,withonelineenteringthesolarheatingcoilsandtheotherfeedingcoldwaterdirectlyintotheshower.

Asolarwater-heatingsystemcirculateswaterthroughaseriesofblack-painted

copperpipescontainedinsideasolarpanel.Thewateristhenpumpedtoastoragetank,whereit’sstoreduntilneeded.

Thiskindofsolarsystemisan“active”system,usingmechanicalcomponentstowarmthewater.A“passive”systemsimplyabsorbstheheatofthesun,withnomechanicsinvolved;thesolarshowerdescribedinchapter4,whichemploysablackplasticbagtoabsorbheatfromthesun,isapassivesolarsystem.Bothtypesofsolarheatingmakeuseofafreeandunlimitedresource.Solartechnologyisviableforthosepeoplewholiveoffthepowergridandhaveconsistentsunlighttoworkwith;italsocanbeusedtosupplementafuel-burningsystem,forexamplebyusingtheenergyofthesuntodotheinitialworkofturningcoldwaterintowarmwater,andusingapropaneorelectricunittomakethewarmedwaterhotenoughforuse.Thismethod,inwhichsolarandpetroleum-orelectricity-basedtechnologiesworkinconjunctionwitheachother,isa“middle-of-the-road”compromisethatmakesuseofthebestofbothworlds.

PlumbingConsiderations

Thehouseholdplumbingsystemisaseriesofinterconnectedpipes,valves,faucets,heaters,pumps,andreservoirtanksthatdeliverbothhotandcoldwatertothevariousoutletsinahomeorsecondarybuildingsoperatingoffthesameplumbingsystem.Wheninstallinganoutdoorshower,anadditionalsectionofplumbingwillhavetobeaddedtothepre-existingsysteminordertosupplywaterforexteriorusage.Inordertoaccomplishthis,asectionofthemainhouseholdplumbingsystemwillhavetobeshutdown,depressurized,anddrainedsothattheplumbercanhaveemptyplumbingtoworkwithwhensplicinginthenewpipes.Oncetheshowerisinstalled,thezoneisrepressurizedandturnedbackon.

Thistaskispotentiallywithinthecapabilitiesofawell-informedpersonarmedwithasmallcollectionofspecializedtools.However,dependingonthecomplexityoftheplumbingsystemofthemainstructure,you’llwanttocarefullyassessthesituationtojudgewhetheryoufeelcapableoftakingonthisstageoftheconstructionprocess.You’llalsowanttocheckwithyourlocalbuildingcodesandmakesurealicensedplumberinspectsyourwork.

SHUTTINGDOWNFORTHEWINTER

Ifyouroutdoorshowerisinaregionthatfreezesduring

thewinter,theplumbingwillrequireaseasonaldraining.Ifyourshowerisconnectedtoahouseholdplumbingsystemandthehousewillbevacantfortheseason,thenthewholeplumbingsystem(includingtheshower)shouldbedrained.Ifthehousewillbeinuseduringthewinter,you’llneedtoinstallshut-offvalvesanddrainsinthefeedlinesthatsupplytheshower.

Todrainthepipes,beginbyshuttingoffthewatersupplybyclosingtheshut-offvalves.Intheshower,turntheshowercontrolhandlestotheopenposition;mostofthewaterwillflowout.Gobacktothesupplypipesandfindthescrewcapsofthedrains,whicharelocatedonthebottomofthepipesontheshowersideoftheshut-offvalves.Unscrewthecaps;anyremainingwaterinthepipeswillbereleased.Youmightalsoblowoutthepipeswithanaircompressorjusttomakesurethatthereisn’tanytrappedwaterthatwillruptureyourplumbing.

Thissimplepedestalshowerisconstructedfrom3-inchgalvanizedpipe.Bracketssupporttwo½-inchcoppershowerheadsthathavebeenfashionedfrom

simpleend-capfittings.Allofthesematerialsareeasilyfoundatmosthardwareorplumbing-supplystores.

Whenplanningtheplumbingforyouroutdoorshower,carefullyconsiderhowfarhotwaterwillhavetotravelfromitssource.Ideally,ashowershouldnotbemorethan100to125feet(30to38m)fromtheheatingunit,sothatthewaterwillnothavecooledoffbythetimeitarrivesattheshowerhead.Ifashowerisgoingtobe125feet(38m)ormorefromthehotwatersupply,itshouldhaveitsownhotwaterheater(suchastheon-demandstyledescribedonpage18).

PlumbingMaterialOptionsTherearebasicallytwopipeoptionstochoosefromfortheplumbingofyouroutdoorshower:copperorchlorinatedpolyvinylchloride(CPVC).

Copper.Thisistheindustrystandardforpermanence,quality,andlong-lastingreliableuse.Rigidcopperistheoptimalmaterialforwater-supplypipesbecauseofitssmoothinterior,whichprovidesafriction-freewaterflow,anditsinherentabilitytoresistcorrosion.Equallydurablewithhotorcoldtemperatures,rigidcoppertubingistypicallyusedin½-inch(12mm)and¾-inch(19mm)dimensions.One-inch(25mm)copperpipeisavailableforlargerfeedlinesinsituationswheretheshowerisfarawayfromthewaterstoragesource.Copperfittingsareusedtoconnectlengthsofstraightpipeandcreateangledturns.Alljointsaresoldered,creatingastrongbondthatwillprovidedecadesoftrouble-freeoperation.

CPVC.Thisplasticproductislessexpensivethancopperandisnotthefirstchoiceforcustom-designedandcustom-builtoutdoorshowers.Rather,CPVCisbestusedfortemporary,portable,ortransientshowerapplications,suchasforcamping,festivals,hunting,low-impacteco-tourism,andsoon.Yougetthepicture.CPVCischeap,lightweight,andeasytoconnectanddetach.Itwon’tcostalottooutfityourcampwithaneasy-to-buildshowerusingCPVC.

Besuretohaveonhandextrapipes,fittings,primer,andsomeepoxywhenassemblingaCPVC-plumbedshoweronlocation,asadjustmentsandrepairsmayberequired.Comparedtocopper,thismaterialcanbedamagedeasily.Sometimes,aquickfixisallthat’sneededtokeeptheshowerinoperation.

ALWAYSTHERIGHTTEMPERATURE

Intropicalenvironments,someshowersofferonlyonewatertemperature—ambient.Thepleasureofusinganambient-temperatureshowercanvarydependingonyourcomfortlevelthroughouttheday(ornight),butwatersuppliedinthesesituationsisgenerallyintherealmof60to75°F(16to24°C).

WaterDrainage

Showerwastewater,knownasgraywater,needstobechanneledtoasafeplacewhereitwillbecomecontained,purified,andeventuallyreturnedtoitsactiveroleinmaintainingahealthywatertable.Dependingonyourlocalbuildingcodesandthefrequencywithwhichyourshowerwillbeused,youmaybeabletocreateasimplegraywaterpercolationsystem.Ifyou’rebuildinganoutdoorshowerinthecityoranotherareawherethere’slittleornosoiltofilterthegraywater,it’slikelyyou’llwanttheshowertodrainintoamunicipalsewagesystem.Thebasicoptionsareasfollows.

LetItFallDrainagecanbeassimpleasallowingthegraywatertofallontotheground,whereitwillbecomeabsorbedandfilteredbackintotheearth.Thisisacommonapproachoftenemployedwherethesoilisverysandyorpercolateswell;solongasthewaterhasnowheretobuildupandcollect(causingstagnationissuesandcreatinganenvironmentinwhichinsectswillbreed),itisgenerallysafe.However,youshouldcheckonlocalbuildingcodestomakesurethatyourshowerdrainagecomplieswiththem,asthissurfacerunoffoptionisnotlegalinsomeareas.

Insiteswherethesoilissandyandhasahighpercolationrate,noadditionalconstructionmaybeneededforwaterdrainage.

DigaDryWellIfyouwanttodrainthegraywaterfromyourshowerintothegroundbutthesoilisnotsandyenoughtoabsorbthewaterdirectly,youwillhavetoinstalladrywell.Thisissimplyalayerofgravelbeneaththeshowerthatallowsthegraywatertopercolatedownintotheearth,whereiteventuallyseepsintothesoil,becomingpurifiedasitfiltersthroughthelayersofdirt,sand,andstone.Thewaterhasnochancetopoolorbuildup,thuscreatingacleaner,safer,andmoreappealingenvironmentinwhichtobathe.

You’llwanttodigthedrywellbeforeyoubeginconstructionoftheshowerenclosure.Beginbymarkingouttheintendedperimeteroftheshower.Addanextra16inches(41cm)allaround;thisnewperimetermarkstheedgesoftheholeyouwilldig.Findaconvenientlocationtodumpallthesoilthatwillcomeoutofthishole—therewillbealotofit.Thenstartdigging,downtoadepthof3to4feet(0.9to1.2m).Oncetheholeisdug,fillitwith¾-inch(19mm)crushedgravel.

Adrywell—essentiallyanexcavatedareafilledwithgravel—isasimplewaytodealwithwastewaterinsitesthathaveheavysoil.

RINSEFEETBEFORESHOWERING

Ifyouroutdoorshowerisinabeachorlakesideareaandyouhaveconnectedtheshowerdraintoyoursepticormunicipalline,letmeofferawordofcaution.Keepatrayoffreshwaterbytheentrancetotheshowerandaskbatherstorinsetheirfeetinitbeforeenteringtheshower.Thiswillpreventexcesssandfrombeingtrackedinandrinseddownthedrain,potentiallyclogginguptheseptictankorplumbing.

InstallaShowerPanAthirdoptionistoinstallashowerpanunderneaththeshowerstallarea.Asisthecaseforanindoorshower,aplastic,fiberglass,metal,orrubber-linedshowerpanbeneathanoutdoorshowercontainsthegraywateranddirectsittoadrain.Thepancouldconnecttothesystemthatmanagestherestofyourhouseholdwastewater,whetherthatisamunicipallineoraprivateseptictankwithanattachedleachfield.

Thewaterfromashowerpancanalsobeusedtoirrigateornamentalgardens(however,itisnotsafetodrainunfilteredgraywaterfromtheshowerintoareasnearfood-producingplants).Simplyrunalengthofflexible2-inch(5cm)hosefromthedraininthepan,andusethatwatertoirrigatetrees,shrubs,andflowergardens.

TheShowerFloor

Themostimportantcharacteristicsoftheshowerfloorarethatitbenonslipperyandabletodirecttheusedwatertothedrainagesystem,whetherthatisasand-basedsoilsurroundingtheshower,thedrywell,oradirectconnectionwiththehouseholdwastewatersystem.

Iftheshowerisinstalledonadeck,youmaychoosetousethedeckingitselffortheflooroftheshower(aslongasit’smadefromnon-splinteringwood).Forthisarrangementtowork,thedeckmustbesuspendedabovetheground,withspacebelowforairtocirculateanddrythedeckingboardsaftertheshowerhasbeenused.Also,thedeckingboardsmusthaveatleasta¼-inchspacebetweenthemtoallowthewatertofallthroughtothedrainagesystembelow.

Ashowerpaninstalledunderthebathingplatformcollectswastewaterandchannelsitintothehouseholdsepticsystem.Alternatively,watercollectedinthepancanberedirectedandusedtoirrigatelandscapeplantings.

Ifyouwanttheshowerongroundlevel,youcouldpouraconcreteslabwithacenterdrainthatevacuatesthegraywater.Youmaywanttosetstoneswithaslightlyroughsurfaceintotheconcreteslabtocreateacomfortableandsafesurfacetostandon.Anotheroptionistoinstalladrywellandseatstonesontopofthewell’sgraveltoensurecomfortablefootingforbathers.

Yetanotheroptionforashowerfloorisacombinationofadrywellfordrainageandanelevatedwoodenplatformforcomfortablefooting.Afterdiggingthedrywellandfillingitwithgravel(asdescribedonpage25),you’llalsoneedtomakesurethegraveliscompactedwithajumpingjackorothergas-poweredcompactingdevice.Compactingpreventsfuturesettlingofthegravel,whichisimportantbecausethegravelwillnotonlybeevacuatingwaterfromtheshower,itwillalsoserveasthebaseforconcretefootingsandfoundationpoststosupporttheplatform.Thisdesignisveryresilientincoldclimates,asitpreventsmoisturefrombecomingtrappedbelowthefootingsandheavingthemoutofthegroundduringfreezingweather.

Cedardeckingprovidesforcomfortablefootinginthisoutdoorshowercabana.

Graywaterfromtheshoweriscollectedinapanunderthedeck.

WallsandEnclosures

Inordertodecideonthetypeofenclosure(orlackthereof)yourshowerwillhave,you’llwanttoreviewthevastrangeofoptions.Partitioningcanbecreatedoutofliterallyanything.Youcanhaveanimpenetrablescreenaroundtheshower—suchasasolidwoodenwall—sothatnolightpassesthrough.Slats,eitherhorizontalorvertical,canbeaffixedtoastructuralframeworkwithanoverlappingdesigntoensurecompleteprivacy.Suchslatscouldalsobeaffixedatspacedintervalssothatacalibratedamountoflightandaircanpassthrough.Anothersolidpartitioningmaterialcommonlyemployedinoutdoorshowersisstone,whetherasfieldstonesinawalloraslarge,flatslabscreatingavisualbarrier.Again,spacescanbeleftbetweenthestonestoallowlightandairtopassthrough.

Othermaterialsthatperforminasimilarfashiontocreateasolidorsemisolidenclosureincludebamboopolesorculms,rattanorsimilargrasslikestalks,glassblocks,wiremeshwithstuccoappliedtothesurface,corrugatedmetalpanels,thickgrapevineswoventogether,andbeadedcurtains.Thinkofthislistasabeginning,notanend.Thereareasmanymaterialsavailableforuseasthereareopenmindsdiscoveringtheiruses,sokeepyoureyesopen.

Vegetativescreeningislargelysemisolid,allowingforthefreeflowoflightandairinandoutofyourshowerwhileretaininganominaldegreeofprivacy.Asimpleformofvegetativescreeningisawiremeshframethathasfloweringvinesgrowingoverit.Ofcourse,inclimateswherevegetationdiesbackonaseasonalbasis,suchascreenismorevisuallyopenatcertaintimesoftheyear.Alongthesesameaestheticlines,metalpolescouldbeinstalledinarelativelytightconfiguration,with2to4inches(3to5cm)betweenthem,inafoundationofconcrete.Theyalonecouldactasasemisolidscreeningdevice,orsomekindofvegetativemattercouldbeplantedatthebase,allowingforallofthesestrong,verticallinestobecomesoftened.Ornamentalgrassescanbeplantedsidebysidetoformanenclosurearoundtheshower,creatingawonderfullysoftandbushyenvironmentinwhichtobathe.Manygrassesthriveonthemoistureandsomewillgrowlongstalkswithpuffyplumesatthetopthatlookgorgeousduringthecoldseason.Ascreenoffast-growingwhitepinetreesorbambooisalsoaprimechoiceforprovidingadelightfulshoweringenclosure.Thesesuggestionsmayormaynotworkforyourparticularregion,butmostlikelyyouwillbeabletofindcomparableplantingsforyourarea.

ThisrentalcabinatTheAppleFarminPhilo,California,makescreativeuseofcorrugatedgalvanizedmetalpanels.Thespiraled½-inchcopperpipelendsanartisticflourishtothestronghorizontalandverticallines.

Lastly,youcanchoosetohavenoenclosureatall.Thistypeofshoweroffersthewide-openfeelingofpurelybeinginnatureonnature’sterms…noseparation.Itisawonderfulfeelingtobatheandcleanseuninhibitedly,byyourselforwithlike-mindedfriendsorfamily.Thoughnotforeveryone,thisapproachfindsitshomewherepeoplearecomfortablebeingphysicallyexposedandsharinginthebeautyofthenaturalworld.

Fixtures

Temperature-controlhandlesandshowerheadscomeinadizzyingarrayofshapes,sizes,styles,andfinishes.Youmayfindyourselfdrawntomodernstyles,reproductionfittingsthataestheticallyhearkenbacktodaysofold,orperhapsreconditionedantiquesthatbeartheauthenticlookoftimeandage.Anotheroptionistoretrofitanobjectthatisdesignedforsomeotherpurposebutworksperfectlywellasafittingforyouroutdoorshower;standardgarden-faucetlevercontrols,forexample,workwellastemperature-controlhandles.Exploreyouroptions,anddiscovertheunexpectedpossibilitiesthatpresentthemselves.

Thescopeofaccessoriesthatarecontainedinthecategoryof“fittings”alsoincludefloorgrills,draincovers,mirrors,soapdishes,towelracks,shelving,clothinghooks,andanyotheraccoutrementthatmakesyourshowermoreuser-friendly.Theseelementsarebothfunctionalanddecorative,settingthetoneforyourpersonalaesthetic.Alwayskeepaneyeoutforwaystoaccessorizeyourshower.Thesimplestdetailscanmakeabigdifference.

Doorhandlesandlatchesarealwaysanopportunitytorevealhiddenelementsofdelight,whethertheyarepurchasedfromastreetsidevendorinNepal,ornature-agedpiecesofwoodfoundintheforestoronthebeach.Itdoesn’ttakemuchtousherforthasenseofgaietyandfunthateveryoneusingtheshowerwillappreciate.

ShowerheadHeightTheheightoftheshowershouldallowforcomfortableheadroom.Theplumbingindustrystandardistoinstalltheshowerheadataheightof6½feet(1.98m).Thisheightallowsbathersofalmostanyheighttousetheshowercomfortably.

However,ifverytallbatherswillroutinelyusetheshower,youmaywanttosettheshowerheadevenhigher.

Thecreative,viningcopperplumbingandsheet-metalfoliageofthisshoweron

CumberlandIsland,Georgia,addanaesthetictouchtothemostfunctionalpartoftheshower.

FIXTURES

Showerheads

Thehingedplumbingofthisbroad,polished-chromeshowerheadgivestheoptionforcustomizedpositioningofthewaterflow.

Thishand-carvedwoodenfixtureintheformofPeterPanchannelswaterforanimpromptushowerwhenitrains.

Twinshowerheads,attachedtoweatheredcedarboards,offerside-by-sideshoweringforfriends.

AspeciallydesignedsunflowershowerheadlendsasenseofplayfulnesstothisTucson,Arizona,shower.

FIXTURES

HandlesandHooks

ThisdecorativedragonhandlewaspurchasedfromastreetsidevendorinNepal.

Ahandmadewoodenhandlehasbeenattachedtothediagonalsupportofthisdoor,ratherthanattheedgeofit.

Usingnaturalmaterials,likethistowelhookmadefromamountainlaurelbranch,addsanorganicflairtooutdoorshowers.

Acast-bronzedragonflyclotheshookadornsamottledpineboard.

LightingtheShower

Lightingcanplayakeyrole,bothaestheticallyandfunctionally,inyouroutdoorshower.Nightisoneofthemostwonderfultimestoenjoythepleasuresofbathingoutside.Withproperlighting,yourshowercantakeonanentirelynewpersonality.Dependingonthetypeoflightingunityouchoose,whereyouplaceit,andhowyoudirectitslight,thisaddedelementcangreatlyaccentuatethebeautyofyourshower.

Nautical-gradedecklightscanbeinstalledinthefloorofyourshower,illuminatingtheentireroomfromgroundlevel.Theseunitsaredesignedtowithstandtherigorousconditionsoftheyachtingenvironmentandaretheoptimalchoiceforlightsinthe“wetzone.”

Down-washlampsprovideamellow,warmglowfrombeneaththelamphousing,offeringasoftambientlightandagenerallysoothingatmospherethatisperfectforwallsandpathways.

Floodlightsareusedtodirectawidebeamoflightoveranareatoilluminatewalls,trees,andotherspecialfeaturesofthestructureorlandscape.

Spotlightsprojectafocusedbeamoflight,pinpointingasingledominantpointofvisualinterest.

Notethatlightsthatwillbemountedoutdoorshavetobeofexterior-grade

quality,offeringawaterproofgaskettoweatherthenormaldegreeofmoistureassociatedwithbeingintherain.

Controllingyourlightingsystemthrougharheostatdimmerswitchwillgiveyoutheoptionofadjustingtheamountoflightemittedfromyourlightingsystematanygiventime.Afterinvestingsomuchtimeandenergyintheconstructionofyouroutdoorshower,whylimitthepossibilitiesofambience?Withasimpledimmerswitch,youcanfine-tunethedegreeofatmospheresothatitperfectlysuitsthetenorofanyparticularevening.Choreographingtheambiencetothemoodofyourguestsastheyenjoyaneveningbathisaspecialtreattheywon’tsoonforget.

Specialtylightingdesigncompaniesoffercomputer-controlledsystemsthatcanbepreprogrammedformodesforillumination.Youcansetthemtocreatedifferentlightingscenariostomatchthetimeofeveningornight,weatherconditions,andareasofyouryardthatmaybenefitfromspecialhighlightingatvarioustimesoftheseason.Thisdegreeoftechnicalsophisticationwouldrequiretheexpertiseofanelectricianandpotentiallyadesignconsultant.However,evenwithjustacacheoflow-voltagelightingfixturesandanelectricaltimer,youcancreateastunningenvironmentfornighttimeshowerenjoyment.

LightingtheShowerPathAlongwithlightingintheshower,lightingalongthewalkwaywillbenefitthenighttimebathergreatly.Thewalkwaylighting,liketheshoweritself,canbeunderstatedorovertinitsappearance.Lightingfeaturescanstandoutaloneasindividualilluminatedguidepostsortheycanrecedeunobtrusivelyintothelandscapealongthesideofthepath.

Asetoflow-keydown-washlightsfollowingthecourseofthepathisperfectforthispurpose.Thelightscanbewiredtoanelectricalsystemthatiscontrolledfromwithinthemainbuilding,ortheycanbeindividuallypoweredbyalittlesolarpanelinthetopofeachlamp’shousing.Therearemanytypesoftheseproductsonthemarket;seetheappendixonpage138.

Acopperlanternilluminatesthewalkwaynearastep.Aseriesoftheselookgorgeousliningapathduringthedayandprovideforsafepassageafterthesungoesdown.

Thisstonelantern,illuminatedwithfiber-opticcable,lightsthewaytoafully

detachedshower.

Anotheroptionforlightingthepathisfixedorhangingcopperlamps.Thesedurable,weather-resilientproductsarerelativelyinexpensive.Theyarepoweredbyanelectricallinethatiscontrolledfromthemainbuilding,andtheirbrightnesscanbeadjustedwitharheostatdimmer.Likecopperplumbing,copperlampsweathertoalowlusteranddevelopapatinaofverdigris.Delicatelyplacedamongvariousplantsandshrubsliningyourwalkway,theselampsareashoo-inforunderstatedutilitarianbeauty.Placethemcloseenoughtogetherthatthecirclesoflightcastdownonthegroundintersectwitheachother,leavingnofootfallinthedark.

Thereare,ofcourse,inexpensiveplasticversionsofthesecopperlampsthatprovideasimilarservice.Inevitablytheycostlessbutarenotasdurable,beingsubjecttoultravioletdegradation.Justrememberthatyougetwhatyoupayfor.

THEBALANCEDLANTERN

Inmyownwork,Ihavedevelopedbalancedstonelanternstolightclients’pathways.Theselanternsareacombinationofvariouselements,andeachisunique.Firstisthebeautyfoundinthenaturalshapeofthestoneitself;twoorthreestonesbalancedandpinnedtogethercreateastrikingsculpturalexpression.Thisstackcanrangeinheightfrom2to8feet(0.6to2.4m).Intherightsetting,theselargeorsmalllanternscanaccentuatevariousfocalpointsoftheterrain.

Thefeaturedaspectoftheselanternsisthebalancedshapeoftheform.Whenagravity-defyingpostureisattained,“stoneliberation”occurs.Theeyesseethatthestonesarestanding,yetthemindthinks,“Thesethingsshouldfallover.”Thisisthemomentwhenmagichappens.Weareaccustomedtoseeingstonebelowusorrestinginastationaryposition,sowhenwearepresentedwithstones(sometimesverylargeones)standinguprightintheair,theytakeonstrongpersonalities.

Thelightisprovidedbyarectangularsocketormortiseinthelanternthatreceivesalightfeature.Thiscouldbeafluorescent,incandescent,fiber-optic,orLED(light-emittingdiode)lightorsimplyacandlesetbehindapaneoffrostedglassframedwithcopperorbronze.Thecombinationofastatueofstoneswithaglowinglightpanelcreatesanamazingsilhouetteagainstadarkeningsky.Theeffectofseeingalineof

thesebalancedlanternsleadingyoumeanderinglydownthegardenpathisextraordinary.

TheKahuaHawaiianInstitute

Maui,Hawaii

THISHAWAIIANRETREATCENTERISHOSTtoseveralextraordinaryoutdoorshowers.Thefirstisasemi-detachedglass-blockenclosurebuiltintothedeckofaguestcottageoverlookingthePacificOcean,simultaneouslyofferingasuperbshowerandanextraordinaryfocalelement.Glassblockoffersastableandefficientwaytoframeinandcreatean“illuminated”showeringstall,whetherusingnaturallightduringthedayorglowingwithnautical-gradelampsatnight.

Anothersemi-detachedKahuaHawaiianInstitutecreationisthemermaidshower,whichistrulyauniquevariationonthetheme.Completewithadolphinfoot-cleaningspigot,theshoweroffersbathersalltheyneedforanentertainingshoweringexperience.Basaltmakesupthestructuralbodyoftherearwall,whilestuccoandtilefinishofftheinteriorface.

AthirdKahuaHawaiianInstituteshowerisamixofSouthwestern-stylestuccoconstructionandHawaiianiconography.Mixedtogether,theyproduceawonderfulenclosureinwhichbathersfeeltheorganiccurvatureofastructurethatseemstohaverisenoutofthelanditself.Thecarefullychosenstatuesanddevotionalobjectsplacedinalcovesandrecesseslendasenseofpeaceandquietude.

Afreeformstuccoshowerfeaturesalcovesfordevotionalobjects.

Thisglass-blockenclosureilluminatesabatheronthedeckofaguestcottage.

CHAPTER2ChoosingBuildingMaterials

Thisshowerbrilliantlymakesuseoftheexteriorsurfaceofachimney.

ASISTHECASEWITHALLCREATIVEPROJECTS,thebestoutdoorshowersresultwhendesignandmaterialsworkinconjunctionwithoneanother.Thequalityofmaterialsatyourdisposalissometimeslessimportantthanwhatiscreatedwiththem.Ifthedesignisstrongandwellgrounded,andworksinharmonywiththelocation,thenthebeautyofthestructurewillfollowsuit.Goodarchitecturefollowsdesign,notyourabilitytopurchaseexpensivematerials.Rawmaterialsareallaroundusandcansupplyeventhemostambitiousofprojects.

Forexample,ahouse,garage,andoutdoorshowerdesignedandbuiltbyaSouthernCaliforniacouplemakesbrilliantuseofblocksofconcretesidewalksdestroyedbyearthquake.Ahugepileofrubbleblockswastruckedtothehousesite,andwithsledgehammersthecouplereducedtheslabsintobrick-sizepieces.Thevisionwastobuilda2,000-square-foot(186sqm)houseentirelywithreclaimed/recycledmaterials.Theconcreteblocksbecamewalls,reclaimedDouglas-firbridgetrestlesbecamethemassivepostandbeamframing,andtheelegantoutdoorshower(composedsimplyofashowerheadandcontrolknobs)residesonasouth-facingstuccowall.

Illuminatedatdusk,thisshowerhasnautical-gradelightsinstalledflushintothe

mahoganydecking.Thisexceptionalshoweralsofeaturesstylizedoverheadcopperplumbingandbronzesupportrods,forminganasymmetricalwebtocontrastwiththestronghorizontallinesoftheshoweringenclosure.

Strippedoftheirbark,theseblacklocusttimbersformapost-and-beamarborforanoutdoorshower.

Dependingonwhatkindsofbuildingmaterialsyou’llbeusing,therearemanywaystolocateandacquiresupplies.Thereisalwaysthemainstreamapproachofpurchasingbrand-nameproductsatretailpricesfromhomecentersandlumberyards.Findingalternativemethodsforlocatingandacquiringmaterialscanbebeneficialtobothyourdesignandyourbudget.Reclaimedmaterials,ifstillsoundofstructure,canaddqualityanddurabilitytoyourprojectwhilerequiringonlyafractionoftheinvestmentyoumightmakeinnewmaterials.Theyalsolendasenseofageandcharacter.Byvisitingsalvageyards,localstonequarries,andcontractors’surplusstores,andbyscouringyourpropertyfornaturalbuildingsupplies,youcanbringtoyourshowerprojecta

broadscopeofmaterialsthatwilladdastrongartisticflare.

Wood

Woodisamongthemostcommonlyusedandversatilematerials.Dependingontheirstrength,durability,andappearance,sometypesofwoodarebestusedinthestructuralframingofanoutdoorshower;otherscanbeusedforhandrails,floorgrills,trellises,anddoorhandles.

Woodisrelativelyeasytoworkwith.Youcancut,drill,screw,bolt,sand,polish,glue,andbendit.Youcanconnectittoahostofotherbuildingmaterials.Youcanjointogethercomplementaryspecies.Andaslongasallareashavefree-flowingairaroundthemandareabletodryout,woodwillendureafairamountofexposurewhiledevelopingabeautifulpatinawithuse.

Therearemanytypesofwood,eachwithitsowndistinctcharacteristics.Formoistoutsideenvironments(suchasinyouroutdoorshower),thetypeofwoodthatwillactasyourbestallywillbefromtreesthathavegrowninornearwater.Whenwet,thesewoodsremainstableandretaintheirstructuralintegrity,andtheywillnotshift,shrink,orwarpastheydry.Thebestexamplesofthiskindofwoodareblacklocust,cedar,andcypress.Mahogany,teak,andothertypesofextremelydurablewoodsimportedfromplaceslikeHonduras,thePhilippines,andvariousAfricanandSoutheastAsiancountrieswouldalsofitthebill.Butunlessyouarerecyclingorreusingthem,theirfinancialcostmaybeprohibitive,andtheenvironmentaltollofharvestingthesewoodsonthoseregionscanbecatastrophic.

BlackLocustThistreegrowswildandinprofusionontheEastCoast.Ityieldsatremendouslystablewoodhistoricallyrenownedforitsrot-resistantcharacteristics.Farmersusedtosinkuntreatedlocustfencepostsinthegroundandclaimthattheywould“outlasttheirchildren’schildren.”Youmighttakethatwithagrainofsalt,butIseen80-year-oldlocustpoststhat,despiteatouchofrotrightatgroundlevel,wererocksolidthroughandthrough.

Weatheredwhitecedarboardsandframehighlightthisshowerattachedtothe

exteriorofaclassicCapeCod–stylehouse.Thesmallwindowisawhimsicaltouch,andallowsthebathertoenjoytheviewwhileshowering.

Blacklocustwoodagesbeautifullywhenstrippedofitsbark.Peelafreshblacklocustpoleandwithinayeartheweatheringprocesswillmakeitlooklikeanoldsun-bleacheddinosaurbone.I’veusedblacklocustforthecornerpostsofteahouses,arbors,trellises,andmassivebridgehandrails.Thegrainisrathersquirrelly,sounlessyouhappenuponararepileofboardsatasawmillyouwillmostlikelyfindblacklocustwoodbylookingforthetreegrowingbythesidesofroadsorontheborderoffieldsandaskingthelandownerifyoucanbarterforsome.

WesternRedCedarWesternredcedargrowsinthePacificNorthwestandisadark,reddish,softwoodusedprimarilyforshingles(wallorroof),clapboards,interiororexteriorpanelingortrim,andlargepostandbeamframing.Itisonthesofterendofthesoftwoodspectrum,andassuch,itdentsandmarseasily.Itwilllastindefinitelyoutside(ifithasfree-flowingairaroundsoitcandryout)andispleasanttoworkwithifyourtoolsareverysharp.Thesawdusthasasweetishscent,butIwouldcautionagainstbreathingitin;theparticlesaresharpandoncelodgedinyourlungswon’treadilycomeout.

Thisspeciesisafinechoiceforbenches,slatsonanarborortrellis,shelving,trimboardsonadoororaroundothertypesofopenings,andahostofotherlocationswhereitwon’tsufferfromfrequentwear.

WesternredcedarisusedmostoftenontheWestCoast,asitsavailabilityisgreaterclosertothesource.Thisisafinechoiceifyoucanaffordtouseit.

CypressVariousspeciesofcypressgrowintheUnitedStatesinregionswherewaterisplentiful.Cypress,likecedar,maintainsitsstructuralintegrityfordecadeswheninstalledinexteriorconditions.Whetherfreshlymilledorprocuredthroughsalvage,cypressisatthetopofthelistforbuildingenclosures,benches,decking,doors,andanynumberofotherarchitecturaldetails.Itwouldbewasteful,however,unlessyouhaveaccesstovastquantitiesofcypress,touseitforanykindofhiddenframing,asthisbeautifulwoodshouldbeusedfordecorativepurposesasmuchaspossible.

DouglasFirDouglasfirgrowsprimarilyinthePacificNorthwest.Itswoodhasawarmreddishhueandisveryresinous,whichgivesitaninherentabilitytowithstandabusefromtheelements.It’sfrequentlyusedfordecking,exteriortrim,andunpaintedfinishwork.Thiswouldbeanoptimalchoiceforthefloororgrillofyouroutdoorshower.Douglasfiralsomakesfinehandrailsand,whensandedsmoothandsealedwithawoodpreservative,willremainpleasanttothetouch.Thiswoodisrelativelyeasytofindatmostlumberyards,butcontactingaspecialtysupplierwillputyouintouchwithtop-gradetimbers.

CONSCIENTIOUSBUILDING

Conservingnaturalresourcesisimportanttome,soIalwaysrecommendusingwoodthatisfarmed,recycled,salvaged,reused,orinsomewayconsciouslymanagedasaresource.Yourapproachtoaprojectisasimportantasthefinalproduct,andbringingyourawarenesstothesourceofyourmaterialswilladdintegritytoyourcreation,whichinturncangiveyouadeeperfeelingofsatisfaction.

Ioncegreatlyenjoyedusingsalvagedredwoodandcypresslumberthatwasharvestedoverahundredyearsago.Originallythiswoodwasusedtomakemassivebeer,wine,andpicklebarrels,andasIcutopentheseboards,theage-oldessenceswerereleasedandfilledtheairwithricharomasoffermentation.Theboardsweremadefromtreesharvestedfromvirginforests,whichwasmadeapparentbythefactthattheyhad80to100growthringstotheinch–theringswerepackedsotightthatIhadtouseamagnifyingglasstocountthem.IwasfilledwithaweasIusedthiswood,broughtonbytheknowledgeoftheancientnessofthesetrees.Torealizethatmyentirelifewasbutthree-eighthsofaninchofoneoftheboardsIwascuttingputsomethingunspeakableintoperspective.

Salvagedmaterialslendcharactertothisoutdoorshowerenclosure,constructed

ofreclaimedboards.

SouthernYellowPineThistreegrowsintheforestsoftheSouth.Becauseitgrowsveryquickly,ityieldsalow-gradewoodwhenfarmed,producingwidegrowthringswithhugevariationinthesapdepositsinthewoodandleavingthefinishedboardswithaquirkygrainthatisunstableandpronetowarping.Thepressure-treatedwoodthat’swidelysoldutilizesfarmedSouthernyellowpinethatundergoesachemicalimpregnationprocesstomakeitveryrotresistant.Althoughpressure-treatedwoodnolongercontainsarsenic,itstillhasalowleveloftoxicityandisbestusedinhiddenstructuralframingthatisawayfromhumantouch(andsight).

Thisshowerenclosureisverysimplyconstructedofwoodenlatticeandacolorfulbeadedcurtain.

First-growthSouthernyellowpineisaveryresinous,densewoodwithanextremelystablegrain.ItispossibletofindsalvagedSouthernyellowpineflooringthatisveryoldandstillhasatremendousamountoflifeleftinit.AnyoldSouthernyellowpineyoucanlocateandcleanupwouldbeafineadditiontoashowerproject.Twopiecesofadvice,though:putsomeclearpreservativeonthewoodwhenyouaredone,andbewaryofsplinters,becausethegrainisverysharpandfibrous.

WoodsNotRecommendedPine(white,red,orpitch),spruce,andhemlockallgrowwidelythroughoutthecountryinmanydifferentregionsandclimates.Thesewoodsareverysoftandroteasilywhenusedinexteriorlocations.Peopleoftenusethesewoodsfortrimontheoutsideofhomes,slatheringonanampleamountofpaintforprotectionandaestheticappeal.Thiscreatesatwo-foldpotentialproblem:firstisthemaintenanceissueofhavingtorepainteveryfewyears;theupkeepcanbeexpensive.Ifthewoodisnotrepainted,thepaintwillchip,peel,orgetdestroyedbyultravioletdegradationandthewoodwillrot.Second,evenifthewoodisrepaintedregularly,therestillisthepossibilityofmoisturebeingtrappedunderthepaint,whichalsowillcausethewoodtorot.Quitefrankly,Irecommendthatyousteerawayfromusingthesewoodsforanythinghavingtodowithyourshower.

TIPSFORBUYINGWOOD

Whenyou’reoutshoppingforwood,whetheratalocallumberyardoraspecialtywoodsupplier,allowyourselfplentyoftimetoexaminethematerialbeforepurchasinganything.Beginbyexaminingtheendgrain,whichcangiveyousomecluestothequalityinthelengthoftheboard.Tightgrowthringsindicateaslower-growingtree,andthusamorestablegrain.Afterinspectingtheendoftheboard,pullouteachpieceandlookitovercarefullyforstraightnessofgrain,aswellasforknotsandotherdefects.Investextratimeupfronttoselectthefinestboardsyoucanfind.Youreffortswillberewardedbymakingallstagesofthebuildingprocesseasierandmoreefficient,aswellasleavinglessroomforerror.

MATERIALS

WoodandTile

AgedDouglasfirboardsareoff-setoneithersideoftheframingtoallowforbetteraircirculation.

Greenslatetilesandgroutcreateaverdantbackgroundinanindoor-outdoorshower.

Blue-glazedceramictilecreatesacolorfulandwaterproofsurfaceforwarm-climateshowers.

Mahoganyboardsspacedsidewaysmakeupthiscomfortable,well-aeratedspacefortowellingoffanddressing.

MATERIALS

StoneandBrick

Multicoloredslateformsacolorfulpatchworkwalkway.

Acombinationofbrickandstonecreateaninterestingpathtoaremoteoutdoorshower.

Stonepaverscanbelaidforpathsorusedforbuildingshowerenclosures.

Lichen-coveredgraniteandmortarformthefoundationofanoldoutdoorshower.

Stone

Stoneisanamazingmaterialandcomesinanextremelywiderangeofchoices.Optionsrangefromthetypeofstone(thatis,granite,slate,basalt,sandstone,marble,alabaster,andsoon)tothevariousformsitcomesin(naturallyweathered,machinepolished,invaryingshapes,cutintodimensionedpieces,thermallytreatedwithastonetorchtogivearoughishnonslipperysurface,andsoon).

BluestoneBluestone,asitsnameimplies,bearsabluishcast,anditisusedextensivelyforpatios,walkways,andpooldeckingbecauseofitsnaturalnonskidsurface.Itisarelativelysoftstonethatiseasytocutandshapewithafewrudimentarytools,suchasadiamond-bladedsawandstonechisels(handorairpowered).Bluestoneiswidelystockedbyconstructionsupplycompanies.

SlateRelativelysoftincomposition,slatecomesinvariousshadesofgray,green,andblack.Thisstoneissmoothtothetouchinanaturalandunpolishedcondition,hasanattractivematteorsatin-likesurfaceandispleasurabletostandandsiton.Thefineattributesthatslateoffersforoutdoorshowerconstructioncanbeputtouseinwallpaneling,walkwaypads,benchandbasincomponents,anddeckingtonamebutafew.Slatecanbecutandshapedeasilywithadiamond-bladed

saw,makingitpossibletocontouraroundotherstone,wood,orpermanentdesignmaterials.

MarbleThisclassicstonecreatesanairofelegancewhereveritisapplied.Softandmalleableinnature,marbleisfoundinblack,white,green,orgrayandvariouslystreakedincolor.Usedforfountains,sculptures,basins,stairs,tiling,decking,fixtures,andaccessories,thisstoneaddsbeautyandformalitywhenincorporatedintoanoutdoorshowerenvironment.

BasaltIntheHawaiianIslandsandothervolcanicenvironments,basalt,alsoknownaslavastone,isthepreferredchoiceofstonebecauseofitsplentitude.Beingdarkgrayorblackandveryhard,itiselegantwhenusedforwalls,stairs,benches,andpillars.Whenslicedintotile-thickwafers,basaltmakesforanamazingfloororpatiothatshedsbothwaterandsand.Inyourarea,youmaybeabletofindpreviouslyquarriedpiecesthatwereimportedinthepastcentury,whenmorequarrieswereactivelyminingbasalt.Therearecompaniesthatimportbasaltfromothercountriesandcansupplyyouwithvariousshapesandsizesdependingonyourrequirements.

TheenclosureforthisTucson,Arizona,showerisaspiraloflocalfieldstone.Occasionalslabsprojectoutfromthewall,creatingshelvesforsittingandholdingbathproducts.Avarietyofsun-lovingvineshavebeenplanteddirectlyintothetopofthewall.

GraniteComposingmajorareasofthebedrockintheUnitedStates,graniteisadensestonewithalargeproportionofquartzinitsmakeup.Thefieldstonessooften

foundintheoldstonewallsofNewEnglandaregranite.Thisstoneisquarriedintoblocksofanyshapeandsizeandisgreatforfoundations,exposedfinishwork,anddecorativeapplications.Anythingfrompathsandstepstobenches,structuralsupports,andplanterscouldeasilybemadefromthisversatilestone.

Graniteisoftenusedasabuildingmaterial,indoorsandout.Itcanbefoundininhundredsofdifferentcolorvariations,dependingonwhereit’squarried.

LocatingStoneQuarriesarecommonthroughoutthecountry,specializinginwhatevertypeofstoneisindigenoustotheirparticularlocation.Atmostquarriesyoucanorderjustaboutanyconfigurationofstoneimaginabletofityourneeds.Anotherapproachistoasktoseeaquarry’s“grout”pile.Thisistheplacewherehundredsoftonsofexcessstonescraparedumped,andataminimalcostyoucanprocuresomefantasticmaterial.Therearealsosalvageyardsthatspecializeinstoneproductsaswellasstonesupplyhouses,whichsometimesoperatein

conjunctionwithaquarryandatothertimesindependently.Theselectionsandproductsavailablearenothingshortofstaggering.

Ifyourdesigncallsforstone,Isuggestusingresourcesthatarecloseathandandthemostcost-effective.Collectingstonesfromthebeach,combingsalvageyards,siftingthroughgroutpilesatquarries,digginguprocksoutoftheground,orcallinglandscapingcontractorstofindoutwhetheryoucanbuyfromtheirpersonalstash—theseapproacheswillultimatelysaveonmaterialcostsandlenda“natural”looktoyouroutdoorshowerenvironment.

Tile

Thereisanenormousselectionoftileonthemarketinawidearrayofmaterialsrangingfromceramictonaturalstone,porcelain,glass,cement,ormetal.Becauseofitsdurability,tilecanbeusedonthefloor,walls,andceilingofinteriorandexteriorspaces.Ifyouhappentoliveinanareathatexperiencesbelow-freezingtemperaturesinwinter,lookforspecialtilescreatedtowithstandthefreeze/thawconditions.

Tilecanberoughorsmooth,shinyormatteinluster,andovertormutedincolor.Itdoesn’tbreakdownfromultravioletdegradationandcancompletelyrepelmoisture.Thismaterialissoversatilethatthereisanappropriatestyleandqualityforanyenvironment,fromkitchenandmudroomtoshowerstall.

Tilefallsintotwokeygroups:floortileandwall(andceiling)tile.Floortileisrelativelythickerthanwalltilebecauseithastowithstandtheabusiveconditionsthatfloorsaresubjectto.Floortilestypicallyhaveacastsurfacethatkeepsthefloorfrombecomingslipperywhenwet.Thoughthicker,floortilecanbeusedonthewallsofyourshowerifthesurfaceordesignisappealing.Let’sexplorethechoicesoftileyouhavetoworkwithwhendesigningyourshower.

PLACESTOFINDSTONE

Localmonumentcompanies.Thesebusinessesspecializeinfabricatingorfinishingheadstones.Askabouttheirwillingnesstodetailstoneforyou,suchascutting,drilling,sandblasting,andpolishingdesignsorlettering.Localstoneshops.Lookforthosespecializinginkitchencountertops,tabletops,andotherarchitecturaldetails.Thesebusinessesarealsogood

resourcesforhavingdetailworkdone.Theymayalsohaveremnantsofstoneleftoverfrompreviousjobsthattheywouldbewillingtoselltoyouinexpensively.Stonequarries.Lookintheyellowpagesforalocalorpossiblyregionallocation.Youmightalsoasklocalstoneormonumentshopsaboutwheretheygettheirstone.Yourlocallumberyardorbuildingsupplycentercouldpossiblypointyouintherightdirectionforlocatinganystonequarriesinyourarea.

NaturalStoneTilesaremadefromgranite,slate,soapstone,marble,schist,alabaster,andadizzyingarrayofexoticstoneimportedfromaroundtheworld.Theycomeindimensionedsizes,justastheirmanufacturedcounterpartsdo.Becausestoneisanaturalmaterial,color,texture,grainpatterns,andothervisualeffectsvaryfrompiecetopiece.Thesevariationsareoftenconsidereddesirablequalities,creatingauniquevisualeffect.Stonetilecanbeveryporous.Ifitdoesn’tcomepresealed,youshouldapplyasealanttoitafterinstallation.Also,checkintogettingatilethatisspeciallymilledtohaveanonskidsurfaceforaslip-freeenvironment.

PorcelainPorcelainishighlyrefinedwhiteclaythatisstampedinamoldtoadesiredshapeandfiredatanextremelyhightemperature.Thisprocesscreatesaveryhard,durable,nonporous,easy-to-cleantile.Porcelaintilecomesinvirtuallyeverycolor,design,andsurfacetexture.Itcanevenmimicthelookofmanynaturalstonetiles,andit’slessexpensivethannaturalstone.Insteadofhavingaglazedfinishbakedontothesurfaceofthetile,asisthecasewithglazedceramictiles,porcelainisdyedwithapigmentthatcarriesthecolorthroughandthrough.Shouldthetilechipfromabuse,therewon’tbeanywhiteinteriorblemishshowingthrough.Whenpurchasingaporcelaintile,stipulatetothedistributorthatyouwantthrough-and-throughpigmentedtile.

GlazedCeramicTileThisisamanufacturedclaytilethathasbeenmachinestamped,paintedwithaglaze,andthenfiredinakiln.Themanufacturingprocessisextremelyversatile,andsoawiderangeoftextures,designs,andcolorsareavailabletochoosefrom.

Thesurfaceishard,potentiallyshiny,andeasytoclean.Certaintypesofglazedceramictilearemanufacturedwithanonskidsurfacethatisdesirableforanoutdoorshower.

ThemosaicofglazedceramictileinthisMauishowerwascreatedbytheowner

anddepictsimagesinspiredbythelocalundersealife.

Beautifuldetailworkofsmooth,blackbeachstonesandblue-glazedtilessurroundtheoxidizedbronzehandlesinthisMauishower.

Terra-CottaTileTypicallyarustic,naturallyreddishearthentile,terracottaismanufacturedfromanunrefinedclaythatisstampedintoshapeinsideamoldandbakedatarelativelylowtemperature.Likenaturalstone,terracottaisporousandrequiresasealantinordertoprotectthetilefrommoisture.Terracottaisbeautifullyrustic,butawetenvironmentisnotthefirstchoiceforitsapplication.

QuarryTileManufacturedfromredclay,quarrytilehasamoldedsurfacethatresemblesstoneandaridgedbacktoaidinadhesion.Similartoterracottainporosity,quarrytilerequiresasealantinordertobeprotectedfrommildewstains.

MosaicTile

Composedofmanysmallpiecesofcoloredterra-cotta,stone,ceramic,orporcelaintile,mosaicscanbeanamazingaccentinanytiledenvironment.Literallyanyimagecanbedepictedinamosaic,andabriefinvestigationintotraditionalmosaicdesignuncoversawealthofhistoricinspiration.Evenasmallmosaicflourishhereandtherecanenhancethebeautyofyouroutdoorshower.Giventheplentitudeofgroutlines,slipperinessisusuallynotanissueformosaics,thoughporosityis.Asealantshouldbeappliedoverthem.

CementTileCementisaverylow-costandhighlyeffectivealternativetoothertilechoices.Ithasmanyoftheattributesofclayandceramictile,anditcanbeformedinvirtuallyanyshape,design,andcolor(includingbeingpigmentedthroughouttheentirethicknessofthetile,likeporcelain).However,itisextremelyporous,andmoisturethatseepsincouldleadtocracksunderfreezingconditions.Needlesstosay,acementsealantisoptimalifyourshowerisinacoldclimate.

GOINGSALVAGE

Locatingsalvagedmaterialscanborderonasleuthingprocessattimes.MylocalsalvageguyisRodneyBeauchesne.Rodneypracticestheage-oldartofdismantlingoldbuildings,dwellings,andotherstructures,salvagingthegood(sometimesgreat)materials,andsellingthemoff.HehaswokenmeupearlyonaSundaymorningwithanenthusiasticcalltorundownthelistofthecomingweek’son-sale“specials.”ThoughIamlessthanenthusiasticatthatmoment,hehassuppliedmewithhugequantitiesofglassblock,rigidinsulation,industrialwindows,and,themostpreciousofall,over3,000boardfeet(914m)ofoldcedar,cypress,Douglasfir,andredwood.RodneyhasplayedanimportantroleinmybusinessbygrantingmeaccesstomaterialsInevercouldhavefoundotherwise.

Brick

Brickisafiredceramicproductthatcanbeusedstructurallyoraestheticallyforitssimple,solid,andnoblelook.Brickcanworkverynicelyinconjunctionwithstoneandtile.Brickisrathercommononthesalvagemarket.Somanyindustrialbuildingswerebuiltusingtheclassicredbrickthatitisrelativelyeasytolocate

pilesof“spent”block.Sometimestheoldmortarisstillattachedtothebrickandyouhavetospendsometimechippingitoff.Ifyou’relookingaroundforbrick,alsoconsidercallingcontractorswhospecializeinrenovations.Thesepeopledealwithmassiveamountsofthistypeofmaterial.Sometimesthebricktheyteardownendsupinthetrash,butothertimesaconscientiouscontractorwillsaveitforreuse.

Glass

Glassisagreatmaterialtoincorporateintoanenvironmentwherelightisakeyelement.I’mreferringspecificallytostainedglass,wherebacklightingofapanelcastsmagnificentcolorsintoanenclosure.Stainedglasscanbeaverypersonalchoice,however,becauseoftherangeofcolorsanddesigns.Ifyou’dliketoincorporatestained-glasspanelsbutdon’thaveanyinyourpossession,trylookinginantiqueshops.Youmightalsovisitacraftsupplystoretolookfordo-it-yourselfbooksthatcaninstructyouinmakingyourownartisticstained-glassworks.

Anotheroptionisglassblock,whichisgenerallyavailableintwoforms.Glassblockwithaninternalwavypatternallowslighttopassthroughunimpededbutisimpossibletoseethroughclearly,thuscreatingprivacyforthebather.Clearglassblocksdonotvisuallyscreenthebatherbutcouldbeusedasa“window”ofsortstoframeaviewthatyouwantbatherstoseewhenthey’reintheshower.

Glassblocksareaconstruction-gradebuildingmaterialthatoffersafastandefficientwaytocreateabeautifulshoweringenclosure.Thoughresilientasamaterial,theyareglassandrequireacertaindegreeofprotectiononcetheyareintheirfinishedapplication.Typicallytheseblocksaredouble-walled,hollow“bricks”manufacturedinvarioussquaresizes,traditionally4and6inches(10and13cm).Bystackingthemontopofoneanother,usingadhesivemasticsuchasmortarorsiliconecaulking,youcancreateapermanentandwaterproofstructure.

Builtbytheauthor,thisglassblockshowerenclosureisespeciallybeautifulwhenilluminatedatnight.Theblocksareaffixedintothe4x4Douglasfirframe

withacement-basedproduct.

AdobeiswidelyusedasabuildingmaterialintheSouthwest,andcreatesawonderfullyroundedfreeformshowerenclosure.

I’velocatedglassblockthroughsalvageandhomesupplycentersataverylowcost,butthisisonecasewheresalvagedmaterialsmaynotbebetter.Salvagedglassblockscouldhavesmallfracturesthataren’treadilyapparent,creatingapotentialsafetyissueforthepersonhandlingthem.Oncethefracturedblockismortaredinplace,thenmoisturecanweepintotheinterioroftheblockascondensation,slowlyfillingtheblockenoughtoshatteritinafreezingclimate.

FramingtheGlassWhenincorporatedintoawall,bothglassblocksandstained-glasspanelshavetobesecuredsothattheyreceivenopressurefromanydirectionthatcouldcausefracturingordamagetothestructuralintegrityoftheindividualpieces.Thesimplestsolutionistoconstructawoodenframethatholdstheglassfronttoback,aswellasprotectingtheperimeterfromstress.Thewoodenframecanbescrewedintoplace,sothattheoptionexistsforeasyremovalshouldaproblemoccur.

Concrete

Thisversatilematerialisgainingareputationforbeingacost-effectivewaytocreatelargeareasoffinishedsurface.Colorfulpigmentscanbeaddedtotheconcretemix,towarmupthistraditionallyutilitarianmaterialandgiveitabeautifulcast.Italsocanbebuffedsmoothasitissettingup,creatingasoftmattefinishandeventuallyasilky-lookingsurfacethatisapleasuretoviewandfeel.Youcanevenaddtothemixornamentalaggregatessuchasbitsofglass,quartzcrystals,andothertypesofstonesthat,oncethesurfaceissmoothedandpolished,arequitedecorative.Anotherinexpensiveoptionistousecementandrammedearth,mixedandpouredintoaformwithsteelrebar.Thefinishedlookofthiscombinationofmaterialsisbeautifullyrustic.

Concretecanbepouredintoanyshape,size,orformtocreatestairs,benches,walls,tables,counters,tubs,basins—quiteliterallyanythingyoucanimagine.Youwouldbehardpressedtoexhaustthecreativepotentialoftheworkabilityofconcrete.Itisalsooneofthebestdealsgoing,asitisultimatelystructuralandaestheticallypleasingatthesametime.Concretecanmimicasurfacetextureof

stone,tile,orstucco.Youcanalsoinstallradiantheatthatwillwarmthestructuralmass,makingforaninvitingenvironment.

Metal

Metalisatraditionalbuildingmaterialinindustrialsettingsbutisrapidlyfindingitswayintotheheartofmanydomesticenvironments.Whetherthemetalisbrass,bronze,copper,stainlesssteel,corrugatedtin,oriron,anaestheticapplicationcanbefoundthatmakesuseofitsuniquequalities.Metalisoftenusedincutting-edgearchitecturaldesigns,oftenintandemwithmonolithicconcreteshapes,stone,water,andplantings.Itlendsalookofsolidity,refinementoftaste,andboldnessofpurposeandanunequivocalfeelingthatyouareinafortifiedstructure.

Metalcanbeafantasticmaterialtopurchaseonthesalvagemarket,becauseitisultimatelystrongandveryaffordablewhensoldperpound.Whetherneworold,ittendstoretainitsstructuralintegrity(withtheexceptionofiron,whichcanrusttothepointofuselessness).Italsodoesn’ttakemuchtocreateapowerfulvisualimpact.AnI-beamhere,acoupleofsquareboxpoststhere,andyounowhaveanoutdoorshowerthatisaneventinandofitself.

Youalsocanlocatevarioustypesofmetalthroughsteeldistributorsandwarehouses.Steelfabricatorsmayalsobeabletosupplyyouwiththevariousmetalsyourequire,andmaybeabletocustom-cutshapesandsizesforyou.

StuccoandPlaster

Thereareentireregionsofourcountry(andtheworld,forthatmatter)inwhichpeopleusestuccoandplastertobuildallthestructurestheyneed.These“earthen”materialseffortlesslylendthemselvestocreatingorganicallyshaped,“human-friendly”environments.TheadobestyleofarchitecturepopularintheAmericanSouthwest,forexample,iswonderfullysoft,rounded,smooth,andfreeforminappearance.

Stuccoandplasterareamixtureofaggregate,bindingagent,andcement.Traditionallytheyaresurfacematerialsappliedoverastructuralcore,suchascementblocks,rammedearth,wirelathe,sandbags,oroldtires,tonamebutafew.Stuccoistypicallyusedontheinteriororexteriorofastructure,whereasplasterisusedonlyontheinterior.Stuccousuallyleavesaroughersurface,moretexturedandanimatedtoview,whereasplasterissmoother,morepolished,and

cleanoffeatures.Bothstuccoandplasterareeasilytinted,yieldingawonderfullysubtle

coloringwithoutanykindofgauchepainted-oneffect.Theycanworkverynicelyinconjunctionwithstone,brick,tile,andjustabouteveryothermaterialIhavementionedhere.Theyworkwellasbridgingortransitionmaterialsandyetcaneasilystandontheirownoverlargeexpanses.

Therearemanyvariationsoftheseproductsonthemarket,includingsomelow-costproductsthatactjustlikehigh-endstuccoyetcostafractionoftheprice.Iwouldsuggestacarefulexaminationofthechoicesbeforeyoumakeyourpurchase.

Asun-filledminimalistshoweronahilltopinSonoma,California,utilizestheblondestuccoofthehouseandwidecedartrellisestoframethedistantviewsoforchardsandvineyards.

ThisAsian-styleshowerstructureisbuiltofwovenbamboobranchesattachedtoawoodenframe.Ontheoutside,a1-inch-diameterbambooframeworkformsatrellisforvinestogrowup.

Bamboo

Bambooisoneofthemostversatilematerialsknowntohumans.Ithasanamazingstrengthforitsweight,yetitremainsflexibleevenunderextremeconditions.Itcangrowupto4feet(1.2m)adayinsometropicalenvironmentsandhascountlessuses.InAsiaitistiedtogethertocreatescaffoldingagainstthe

sidesofthehighestskyscrapers.It’susedforbuildinghouses,utensils,tools,thefinesttea-servingimplements,furniture,fencing,walls,gates,gutters,andonandon.

Bamboocanbesetinconcretetogivethemixtureastructuralintegrity,muchassteelrebarisused.Italsocanbeerectedasalathewalloverwhichstuccoorplasterisapplied,givingabeautiful,rusticaesthetictoyourshowerwhilenevercompromisingdurability.Usebamboostavestocreateatrellisaboveyourshower,tightlylashedtogetherasapartitionwallordoor,orspacedapartinanopenverticalframetogiveatropicalfeelingtoadistantviewasyougazeoutatthescenery.

Mostbuildingsuppliersstockbambooorwillorderitforyou.Workingwiththismaterialisnotonlyeasybutalsofun,anditgivesawonderful“tropical”flavortoanoutdoorshower.Betteryet,plantsomebambooasagrove(seeboxbelow)andenjoythesoundsofthepolesclackingtogetherinthewind.

PLANTINGBAMBOO

Bambooisabeautiful,lush,hardyreedthatgrowsthroughouttheworldinawiderangeofclimates.Growingupto100feet(31m)talland9inches(23cm)indiameterthroughouttropicalregions,somespeciescanthriveinweatherascoldas–20°F(–28°C).Bamboocreatesasoft,bushyscreen,givingprivacyandapoeticmoodtoanyenvironmentitinhabits.

Therearetwotypesofbamboo:runningandclumping.Amajorwordofcautionaboutrunningvarieties:theycanspreadveryquickly.Inayearortwo,yourlittlepatchcouldbemovingontoclaimyourentireyard.Incontrasttorunningvarieties,noninvasiveclumpingspeciesofbamboohaveculmsthatgrowclosetogetherandremaininthegeneralareainwhichthey’replanted,growingonlyafewinchesperyear.Theycreatediscrete“bushes”thataccentuatethebeautyandsoftnessofyouryard.

ThecastconcreteshowerattheEsalenInstituteoffersastunningviewoftheCaliforniacoastline.Intimesofinclementweather,batherscanclosetheheavyglassdoors.

TheEsalenInstitute

BigSur,California

THEESALENINSTITUTEISANONPROFITEDUCATIONALFOUNDATIONandretreatcenterfoundedonthesiteofageothermalsulfurhotsprings.Theinstitute’sinternationalclientelecometobathe,relax,attendseminarsonpersonalgrowthandsocialchange,andeatincrediblefoodgrownon-siteinorganicgardens.

Theinstitute’scliffsideshowerroomistrulyextraordinary:itharnessesthesulfurwaterforbatherstoenjoyundermultipleshowerheads,andslidingopenthethickglassdoorsrevealsthekelp-filledpoundingsurfbelow.Thegorgeous,craggy,cliff-facedcoastlinerunsineitherdirectionfromtheshowerroom,settingthesceneforthishealingspa.

TheshowersatEsalenaremadeofcastconcrete;theconstructionteamneededsixmonthsmerelytostabilizethecliffwallwithlongsteelrodstosupportthestructure.Theshower-roomwallsbeartherusticallyrefinedaestheticofconcrete,freshfromthewoodenformsthatwereusedtoholditasitcured,whilethepigmentedfloorstrikesacloseresemblancetooversizetile.Theelementsinplayarequitedynamicand,shortofthecrashingsurfbelow,couldberecreatedinasimilarfashioninadomesticsetting.

CHAPTER3PermanentOutdoorShowers

Oxidizedcopperplumbinghasarusticappealinthisseasideshower.

THEREISANINFINITENUMBEROFSTRUCTURESandsystemsbearingthetitleofoutdoorshower.Onewaytocategorizethemisbyhowthey’llbeused.Somearebuiltinapermanentlocationandareintendedtobeuseddaily;othersaresetupseasonally,whilestillothersareportableandeasilycarriedalongonacampingtrip.Thekeyaspectforyoutodecideishowyouaregoingtouseyourshower,howpermanentitwillbe,andhowmuchenergyyouwanttoputintobuildingit.Onceyou’vedeterminedthat,youcanproceedwiththedetailsofdesignandconstruction.

Ingeneral,permanentoutdoorshowersfitintoseveralcategoriesbasedontheirproximitytoamaindwellingandtheamountofenclosuretheyhave:theminimalistshower,theenclosed/attachedshower,thesemidetachedshower,andthefullydetachedshower.Alltheseshowersarebuiltinconjunctionwithalargerstructure,suchasahouse.Eitherthey’reattachedtothelargerstructureinsomeway,makinguseofanexteriorwallaspartoftheirownstructure,ortheyresideinrelativelycloseproximitytoit—within150feet(45.7m).Theseshowersrelyontheplumbingsystemofthelargerstructuretoprovideatleastcoldwaterbutmostoftenhotaswell.

Weatheredwhite-cedarshingles,arrangedinintricatepatterns,adorntheexteriorofthisoutdoorshoweronMartha’sVineyard.

Amulti-head,minimalistbeachsideshoweroffersbeachgoersaquick,one-temperaturerinse.

Anyoftheseshowerstylescouldbeincorporatedintotheaestheticofthelocalarchitecturalvernacular,lendinganaccentofitsown.Apermanentoutdoorshowercarefullyenvisionedandbuiltintoyourlivingenvironmentcancompletelychangethewayyourelatetoandinteractwithyourhome.

TheMinimalistShower

Thisunderstatedshowerdesignismainlyconcernedwithfunctionoverform,thoughincludingeventhebarestessentialofdesignelementscanmakeitaestheticallypleasing,aswell.Suchashowertypicallyhasjusttwocontrolhandlesonthesideofawall(oraspartofafreestandingdesign)withashowerheadprojectingoutoverthem.Noenclosureseparatesthebathingareafromthesurroundingenvironment.

Minimalistshowersareoftenlocatedonasecludedbackwallorsectionofabuilding,lendingprivacythroughlocation,withnostructuralscreening.Thewide-opendesignallowsbatherstohaveasenseofbeingcompletelyfreetomoveaboutastheylike,whileenjoyinganunobstructedviewoftheirsurroundings.Simpleshowerslikethesecanalsobesituatedinremotelocations,withtheplumbingandhardwaremountedonapedestalofwood,bamboo,concrete,orthelike.Thepermanentremoteminimalistshowercanbesuppliedfromburiedwaterlinesor,insimplersituations,merelytwogardenhosesthatgetdrainedandstoredforthewinter.

Thebeautyoftheseshowersisinthesimplicityoftheirdesign.Theunderstatementofformoftenmeansthattheplumbingandfixturesbeartheweightoftheaestheticfocus.Someofthemostcommonexamplesofminimalistshowers,however,aremorefunctionalthanaesthetic.Oftenfoundonpublicbeaches,thesefacilitiesaredesignedforpublicuseandgivesunworshippersandbatherspush-buttonaccesstoanambient-temperaturefreshwatershower.Rinsingoffafterswimmingisanassettoanywaterfrontcommunity,andtheshoweringareacanbecomeanaturalgatheringplaceforpeopletosocialize.

Thesepublicshowersarebuiltandmaintainedbylocalandstateauthorities,yetthedesignscaneasilybereplicatedinyourownyard.Asimplepoolsideshower,forexample,willallowswimmerstorinsechlorine,bromine,andanyotherpoolchemicalsfromyourskin,aswellassimplybeingarefreshingplacetocooldowninthesun.

Ofallthepermanentlyinstalledoutdoorshowerdesigns,theminimalistshowerisbyfartheleastcomplexandleastexpensivetobuild.Thebasiccomponentsaretheplumbing(apipedsourceofwater,oneortwotemperature-controlhandles,ashowerhead,andadrainagesystem),astructuretosupporttheplumbing,andastablesurfaceforbatherstostandonwhileshowering.

MinimalistShowers

Whatmakesashower?Atitsbareminimum,onlythesimplestelementsarerequired:ashowerheadandawaytoturnonthewater.Becauseofitssimplicity,theminimalistshowercanbebuiltinanynumberofdifferentsettings,usingavarietyofmaterials.

Aminimalistshowercanbesimplyattachedtothesideofahouse.

Twohandlesandawater-savingshowerheadprojectoutofastuccowall.Distantviewsoftheoceancompletethescenebeautifully.

AlonebatherissilhouettedagainstaMauisunset.

ThispondsidecottagelocatedonMartha’sVineyardfeaturesaprivateshoweronthebacksideofthehouse.

ThemermaidshowerattheKahuaHawaiianInstituteshowsthatsimplecanalsobewhimsical.

MassivestoneslabsandhugewoodentimberscomprisethisNewHampshiremountaintopshower.

Asurfertakesadvantageofthisbeachsideshowertorinsehimself(andhissurfboard).

Asimplesemipermanentshowerisattachedtoatree.Seasonalplumbingissuppliedbytwogardenhosesrundirectlyoutofanearbybasementwindow.

FreestandingTheplumbingforaminimalistshoweriseasilyinstalledonafreestandingpedestal,tree,largeboulder,orquiteliterallyanythingthatoffersafirmenoughfoundation.Thereareanumberoffinecommercialpedestalproductstochoosefrominarangeofmaterials,includingwood,chrome,andstainlesssteel.(Manyareavailablethroughspecialtysuppliers;seetheresources.)Youalsocouldbuildanoutdoorshowerreminiscentofthosefoundatpublicbeaches,castingconcreteinaformofyourowndesignorusingacombinationofotherbuildingmaterials.Apedestalwithtwo,three,orfourshowerheadsforhigh-volumeuseisgreatifyourpoolisthesiteoffrequentgrouppartiesorswimmingfunctions.

AttachedIftheshowerissitedonthewallofabuilding,theplumbingcanberunthroughtheinteriorofthestructure,hidingitcompletely,orcanbesurfacemounted,thusmakinguseofthecopperpipedecoratively.I’veseenexamplesofbothapproaches,andtheyworkequallywellfunctionallyandaesthetically.

Althoughitwillhavebetteraircirculationandwilldryfasterthananenclosed/attachedshower,theexteriorareaofabuildingthathostsaminimalistoutdoorshowershouldalsohavesomedegreeofmoistureprotectionincludedinthedesignandconstruction(seepage79).Therewillstillbeaconsiderableamountofwatercomingincontactwiththeexteriorsurfaceofthebuilding,withthepotentialformoisturebuild-upandrot.

Copper,bronze,andwhitecedarshinglesalldevelopacharacteristicpatinaastheyage.

TheEnclosed/AttachedShower

Simplyput,anenclosed/attachedshowerisaminimalistshowerinstalledagainstthesideofabuildinginsideanenclosure.Theenclosuresetsthestageforprivacy,thusallowingyoutolocatethisshoweranywhereyoudesire—evennexttothefrontdoorofthehouse!Thisdesignstylealsoopensuptheoptionsforincludingadressingroomandotherancillaryspaces.

Theenclosed/attachedshowerlendsitselftoeveryconceivabledesignandmaterialcombination.Itcanbeanaestheticstatementandstandoutincontrasttothebuildingitisadjacentto,oritcanblendinseamlesslywithitssurroundings.Therangeofmaterialsyoucanusetoconstructtheenclosureisvast,includingallthepossibilitiesweexploredinchapter2(seepage40).

Oftentheshower’ssurroundingsinfluencethedesignoftheenclosure.Forinstance,manyshowersincoastalNewEnglandfollowthestyleofCapeCodvernacular—white-cedarshinglesthathaveweatheredtoasoftgray,withbareorpaintedwoodentrim.InmuchoftheSouthwest,stuccoandadobearepreferredbuildingmaterialsforbothhomeandshower.Adeliciouslypigmentedstuccosurfaceappliedoveramasonrycoreallowsthedesigntoincorporatethesoftundulationsoflineandformthattypifythisstyleofbuilding.Thevast,openskyaboveandtherollingearthbelowinspiretheuseofthismaterial.Itbringsthehome—andshower—intocontextwiththeenvironment.

ProtectingAgainstMoistureDamageRegardlessofthematerialyouchoose,therearesomekeyconstructiondetailstobearinmindwhenbuildinganenclosed/attachedshower,topreventpotentialwater-relatedproblems.

ProtectingYourHome’sExteriorFirstistheissueofwaterproofingthewallofthehousetowhichtheshowerwillbeattached.Houseexteriorsarenormallybuilttoshedwater,butifanoutdoorshowerenclosesasectionofwall,moisturecanbuildupthereovertheyears,andextrameasuresmustbetakentokeeptheareafromrotting.Ifyouarebuildinganewhomeandhavetheluxuryofincorporatingtheshowerintoyouroverallplan,thenincludingallthenecessarylayersofstructuralwaterproofingwillbeconvenient.Iftheshowerisanadd-ontoapreexistingbuilding,otheroptionsforwaterproofingexist.

Beneaththeirexteriorsiding(whetherthatiswoodenshinglesorclapboards,vinyl,orbrick),mosthomesarewrappedinavaporbarrierthatallowsmoistureinsidethestructuretoworkitswayoutbutdoesn’tallowexteriormoisturetoenter.ThebarriermightbetarpaperinolderbuildingsorTyvekpaperinnewerones.Thevaporbarrieralsohelpskeepdraftsfrompenetratingthewallsandroof.Belowthisvaporbarrierisanunderlayment(typicallysomekindofplywood)thatprovidessupportforthefinishsidingontheexteriorofthebuilding.Ifyoucanaccessthislayer,installmarine-gradeorpressure-treatedplywoodastheunderlaymentwheretheshowerwillbesited,toensureagainstwaterdamage.

Toprotectyourhousefromwaterdamage,thewallwhereanoutdoorshowerwillbeinstalledshouldbebuilt(orretrofitted)withalayerofmarine-gradeplywoodunderavaporbarrierbeforesidingisinstalled.

Ifyouaren’tabletoaccesstheunderlayment,you’llhavetorelyonthehouse’ssidingtopreventwaterfrompenetratingtheexteriorwallandcausingrot.Ifyourshowerisonthesouthsideofthebuilding,theissueofmoistureretentionmaynotposeaproblem,asitwillbeexposedtoagooddealofsunlight.Showersfacingotherdirections,especiallythenorth,maybemoreproblematic.Oneoptiontoreducetheconstantbarrageofmoistureistoconstructapartitionbetweentheshowerandtheexteriorwall,toshedthemajorityofthewater.Thepartitioncouldbemadeofthesamematerialastherestoftheshowerwalls.

EvacuatingGraywaterSecondistheissueofkeepingthewastewaterfromyourshowerawayfromthefoundationofyourhouse.You’llneedtotakestepstoensurethattheflooriswelldrainedandthatgraywaterischanneledawayfromthehouse.Manyoutdoorshowershavenodrainagesystemtospeakofandsimplyallowthegraywatertofalltotheearthandeventuallyseepinortrickleaway.Forwaterdrainageinenclosed/attachedshowers,however,Irecommendinstallingeitheradrywellorashowerpanthatdirectsthegraywatertoyourhouseholdwastewatersystem.Thisway,thegraywaterwillspendnotimeonthesoilsurface,whereitcanserveasabreedinggroundforinsectsorcauserotatgroundlevel.Seechapter1formoredetails.

EnsuringPrivacyDependingonthedegreeofprivacyyouwantforyourshower,keepinmindwhendesigningyourenclosed/attachedshowerthatsecond-storywindowscouldpotentiallyhaveabird’s-eyeviewintoashowerthatispositionedagainstthesideofyourhouse.Soeitherplacetheshowersothatit’snotinthelineofsightorinstallsomekindofoverheadarbor.Thiscouldevensupportsomefloweringvinesthat,inadditiontoprovidingprivacy,wouldcontributetotheambienceoftheshower.

Asforprivacyfromotherareasofthesurroundingenvironment,checkontheanglesofviewandsightlinesfromboththeinterioroftheshowerfacingoutandtheexteriorlookingin.Alsoavoidsitingtheshowerinareasofunobstructedviewthatmaymakemodestbathersself-conscious.

Enclosed/AttachedShowersBecauseoftheconvenienceofconnectinganoutdoorshowerintothehouseholdplumbingsystem,manyhomeownersarelikelytobuildanenclosed/attachedshower.Thisissimplyaminimalistshoweragainstthesideofabuilding,withtheprivacyofanenclosureadded.

Mahoganygrillworkandanoverheadarborprovidesupportforaprivacyscreenoffloweringvinesduringthesummer.Simplepolishedchromepipesandaceramicshowerheadcompletethisattractivealcove.

Anautilus-shapedenclosureoffersplentyofprivacyfromgroundlevel,butbeawareofthesightlinesfromthesecondstoryofahouse.

Thisdeck-sideshoweroffersamodicumofprivacyfromanarrow,shingledpartition.

TheshoweratthisguestcabininPhilo,California,isconstructedofcorrugatedgalvanized-metalpanelsandpressure-treatedframing.

Thissimpleshowerhastwodoorsforcompleteprivacyandagenerousshowerhead.

Locatednexttoagraniteslabwithacarvedfoot-rinsingbasin,thisMartha’s

Vineyardshowerfeaturesapyramid-shapedarborabove.

TheSemiDetachedShower

Thesemidetachedoutdoorshowerisaself-containedshowerroomsitedawayfromthemainbuildingbutconnectedtoitbyabreezeway,trellis,fence,freestandingwall,orsectionofroofordeck.Buildingyourshowerinthisfashionwillgiveitanelementofspaciousnessandindependenceofformfromitssurroundingarchitecture.Theshowerstandsonitsown,offeringyouauniquevantagepointfromwhichtoexperienceyoursurroundings,aswellasasenseofgoingonanadventure.

Thedesignofthesemidetachedshowerbridgestheattributesoftheenclosed/attachedandthefullydetachedshowers.It’sacompromiseofmovingtheshowerawayfromastructurallysupportivewall,yetnotentirelylettinggointoanindependentlocation;itcreatesahuman-scalespacewithadistinctpersonality.Itcanalsoaccentuateanaspectofthesurroundingenvironment,whileblendinginwiththeoverallarchitecturaldesignofyourhouseandoutbuildings.

Thiscombinationofrelationshipsbetweenstructuresopensupaplethoraofdesignpossibilities.I’vecomeacrossanumberofsemidetachedshowersthatuseavarietyofmaterialsinveryimaginativeways.Thematerialschosenfortheshowerdon’thavetobethesameasthoseusedonthemainbuildinginordertoachieveanarchitecturallyharmoniousdesign.Thecircularsemidetachedshowerontheoppositepagefitsinwellwithitssurroundings,bothbecauseofthebuildingmaterialandbecauseofitsuseasagradualtransitionbetweenthedrivewayandtheentrancetothehouse.

Structurally,thesemidetachedshowerissimplyanenclosedshowersetawayfromthemainbuilding.Theplumbingforthisstyleofshowerissimilartothatoftheenclosed/attachedshower.Insteadofconnectingtotheshowerthroughanexteriorwallofthemainbuilding,however,thehotandcoldlinesaretypicallyrunfromthehousetotheshowerunderthedeck,throughalowpartition,orinanoverheadstructuralcanopy.

Drainageishandledinthesamewayasfortheenclosed/attachedshower.Adrywellcanbedugandfilledwithgraveltoinstantlydispersethegraywaterintotheground.Alternatively,ashowerpancanbeinstalledbeneaththeshowerfloortoevacuatethewatertothesurroundinglandscapeortothehouseholdsepticline.

Acircularsemidetachedshowerprovidesplentyofprivacy,despiteitslocation

bythefrontentranceofthishome.

SemiDetachedShowersSemidetachedshowersbearsomestructuralrelationshiptothehousebutarenotconstructeddirectlyagainstit.Oftentheyareconnectedtoadwellingbyadeck,overheadtrellis,orbreezeway.Theshower’sstyleandbuildingmaterialsmayormaynotrelatetothoseofthehouse.

Thecurvedfaceofthisshoweroffersagradualtransitionfromthedrivewaytothehouse.

Anoverheadtrellisandmultipleshowerheadscreateanopenandaccessiblebackyardshower.

Theuseofstoneandwoodinthisshowercomplementsthebuildingstyleofthemainhouse.

Madeofdurablebamboo,plexiglasspanels,andathatchedroof,thisMaui

showeroffersarelaxingbathingareaevenduringtumultuouswinterstorms.

TheFullyDetachedShower

Themonarchoftheoutdoorshowerfamilyexistsawayfromanyphysicaloraestheticconnectiontosurroundingstructures,becomingsomethingofadestinationintheyard,thesiteofadailyshoweringpilgrimage.Thisdesignallowsthebatherprivacyandseclusionandpromotesacontemplativeattitudetowardlife.Dependingonyourintention,yourshowercanbevirtuallyhiddenwithanaturalscreenoflivingcamouflage,oritcanmakeastrongaestheticstatementbydrawingattentiontoitsdesign.

Bycapitalizingontheelementofseclusion,yourfullydetachedoutdoorshowercanalsoprovideyouwithanincrediblyrareexperience:thesensationofbeinginaforeignandexoticland,farfromtheday-to-dayworldyou’reusedto.Thefeelingisakintothatofthecreativechildwhobuildshiddenfortsandmagicalsecretplayhouses.Ameanderingpathwaycanleadtoyourprivatesanctuary,setagainstanaturalbackdropofyourfavoriteplantings.

Thisstyleofshowerleavestheoptionswideopenforexploringjusthowcreativeyoucanbe.SomeofthedetachedshowersI’veseenwereintendedtomakethemostofgorgeoussurroundingdaytimeviews,whileothers—particularlythosewithwell-placedambientlighting—arebestusedindarkness,luringabatheroutforarefreshingnighttimerinse.

WalkwaytotheShowerAkeyelementofthedetachedoutdoorshoweristhepathwayleadingouttoit.Irecommendcarefullymappingoutthebestroutetoyourdetachedshowerandlayingdownapathwayofadurable,levelmaterial.Thesubtlyunevenfootinginayardcanbecometenuousatbestwhenyouarewrappedinatowel,barefoot,walkinginthedark,andcarryinganarmfuloftoiletries.Havingstable,evenfootingwhileyounavigatetheroutetoanoutdoorshowercreatesaseamlesstransitionintoyourbathingenvironment.

Awell-laidbrickpathmakesthewalkwaytoandfromtheshowerasafeandpleasantexperience,dayornight.

FullyDetachedShowersForthetrueoutdoorshowerenthusiast,thefullydetachedshower,setawayfromanyotherstructure,offersthebathertheexperienceofgoingonanadventure.Theseshowersarebestwhentheylooklikeapartoftheirsiteandtakeadvantageofsurroundingviews.

Largebasaltstonesaresetintoabedofmortartoformthepathwaytothisfullydetachedshower.

Perennialsandsmallshrubshelpthisgardenshowerblendintotherestofthelandscape.

LongconcreteslabsguidethebathertothissecludedshowerinBenson,Arizona.

Insomecases,agrassypathmaybeallyouneed(althoughitcanbeannoyingtohaveyourfeetgetcoveredwithfreshlymownclippingsonyourwaybacktothehouse).Slateslabs,flatblocksofcutgranite,orbricksfitted

tightlytogetheralsofitthebillnicely.Stonepaverscreatearustic,cobbledeffectandoffertheopportunitytoplantmossinthespacesbetweentheblocks.Stonesandbrickscanshiftandheave,however,ifthey’renotbeddedinalayerofpulverizedpeastoneorgravel.

Woodenplankingisalsoappropriateundercertaincircumstances.However,don’tjustsetthewoodontheearth,becauseeventuallyeventhemostrot-resistantwoodswillabsorbwaterandrot.Instead,usecementblocksorstonestocreateelevatedplatformsonwhichyoucansetthewoodenplanking.

Splinters,though,arearealandnastythreattotenderfeet.Ifwoodisyourpreferredchoiceforawalkway,Isuggestyouuseadense,tight-grainedsoftwoodlikePortOrfordcedarorDouglasfir.Thesewoodsareoftenusedasdecking,andifsandedsmoothandcoatedwithaclearpreservative,theywillremainsplinterfree.

Bluestonepaverssetintograssmakeacomfortable,nonslipperypathtoandfromafullydetachedshower.

Fallenplantmaterialcanalsogivethebatheranuncomfortablewalkingexperience.Afriendofminehasashowerlocatednearahollytree,andonmore

thanoneunfortunateoccasionIhavebeenimpaledonspikyhollyleaveslyinginthegrass.Myassociationwiththatshowercarrieswithitmemoriesofpain.Aslightlyraisedwalkwaythatiseasilysweptoffwoulddoawaywithanyoftheseunpleasantconditions.

Ifyourdetachedshowerwillbeusedprimarilyatnight,besuretoalsogivesomethoughttolightingtheway.Creatingawell-lightedpathwayisanessentialaspectforeveryone’ssafetyandcomfort.Seechapter1formoreinformationonlighting.

PlumbingConsiderationsPracticallyspeaking,theplumbingelementsofthisshowerarethesameasthoseofattachedandsemidetachedshowers;thepipessimplyrunagreaterdistance.Ifyourdetachedshowerismorethan75feet(23m)fromapreexistinghotwatersupply(suchasthatofyourhouse),it’swisetoinstallanon-demandhotwaterheaternearyourshower.You’llneedtobuildasmallenclosureneartheshowersitetohousetheheater,andyou’llneedtomakeaccommodationsforpoweringit.Iftheheateriselectric,you’llneedtorunelectricityouttotheshowersite.Ifitburnspropane,you’llneedtorunapropanelinefromyourhouseorinstallapropanetanknexttoyourshower.

Togetthewaterouttoaremotedetachedshower,¾-inch(19mm)copperpipeistherule.Itshouldbeburiedatleast12inches(31cm)belowgradeinabedofcleansand,withnorocks.Ifyouliveinaregionthatfreezesduringthewinter,thewatersupplylineswillneedtohaveanextensionthatispitchedtoanaccessholeandterminatesinaremovableplug,sothatyoucandrainthepipesbeforefreezingtemperaturessetin.

Fullydetachedoutdoorshowersusuallydrainintotheirowndrywell.However,youmaywanttomakethemostoftheresultinggraywaterfromyourshowerbyusingittoirrigatesurroundinglandscapeplants.Thiscanbeaccomplishedverysimplybyinstallingashowerpanthatdirectswatertonearbygardens.Alternatively,youcouldcreateashowerfloorofpouredconcretethat’spitchedslightlyoutward,sothatthegraywatercanrunoffdirectlyintothesurroundingsoil.

TheIndoor-OutdoorShower

Technicallyspeaking,thesearenottrueoutdoorshowers,inthesenseofbeingsitedoutsidethehouse.Instead,theseshowersaretobefoundinside,usually

attachedtoamasterbedroom;ifthey’renearanoutsidewall,adoorcloseathandmayofferbatherstheabilitytostrolloutsideafterarelaxingshower.

Thoughnotsitedentirelyoutdoors,theindoor-outdoorshowercontainscertainqualitiesthatsetitapartfromthestandardindoorshower.Typicallythistypeofshowerisnotcontainedinanenclosure,andifitis,thespaceallocatedtoshoweringisvoluminous.Oftentheshowerispartofanopenbathroomfloorplanthatutilizesacentraldraintoevacuatethewater.Keepingthebathroomdryisnotnecessarilythefocusinthistypeofsituation.Thefloorandwallsareoftenfinishedwithtile,andtheceilingisfinishedwithmoretileorwithmarine-gradepaint.Becausetheenvironmentiscapableofwithstandingafreeflowofwater,thebatherisabletomovearoundinthisspacewithoutgivingathoughttowater-damageissues.

Indoor-outdoorshowersoffermanydesignoptions.Thebathingareacanbeatthesamefloorlevelastherestoftheroom,withtheflooroftheentireroomgentlyslopingdowntoadrain.Alternatively,itcouldstepdownsignificantlyintoashortenclosure,sortofanopenwalk-intubforshowering,withitsowndrain.Anotheroptionistosettheshoweratfloorlevelbutencloseitwithaslightlyraisedperimeter,perhapsa6-inch(15cm)wall,whichcontainsmostofthewateronthefloorimmediatelyaroundthebather.Theshowerisopenandallowsplentyofroomforbatherstomovearound,yetitissetwithinclearlydefinedboundaries.

Incaseswhereprivacyisaconsideration,apartitionseparatingtheshowerfromtherestofthebathroommaybenecessary.Semitransparentmaterialslikeglassblockareidealinthisscenario.Outdoorsorin,glassblockisafantasticmaterialforcreatingwalls,partitions,andenclosures.Clearenoughtoallowlighttopassthroughunimpeded,yetobscuredenoughtopreventanyonefromseeingthroughthem,glassblocksallowbatherstofeelnaturallyilluminatedwhileremaininginprivacy.

Thelargesouth-facingwindowsofthissecond-storyshowergiveitthefeeling

ofasolariumandmakethesurroundinglandscapepartofthebathingexperience,eveninwinter.

Indoor-OutdoorShowersAlthoughnotsitedoutdoors,thisstyleofshowerusuallyhassomekindofeasyaccesstotheoutside.Theindoor-outdoorshoweralsooffersthebatheranopportunitytoshowerinanunenclosedinteriorenvironment—typicallyinalarge,openspacefinishedwithmaterialsthatcanbeexposedtowater.

Thesetranslucentglassblockssimultaneouslyprovidebatherswithlightandprivacy.

Foliagefromindoorplantsprovidesthebatherwithadditionalprivacyinthisindoor-outdoorshower.

ThisJapanese-stylesoakingtubandshower,builtbytheauthor,combineAlaskanyellowcedar,westernredcedar,andslate.

StuccoandgreenslatecoverthewallsofthispoolshowerinTucson,Arizona.

TheWhiteLotusRetreatCenter

SantaBarbara,California

THISYOGAANDSPIRITUALRETREATCENTER,locatedintheSanMarcosPass,eastofSantaBarbara,featuresthequintessentialminimalistoutdoorshower.Utilizingtwoenormousside-by-sidebouldersthatwerealreadyonsite,theownersinstalledcopperwaterlinesthatrununderneathandthenupandoverthetoptoabasinbetweenthestones.Thewatercomescascadingdowninawaterfallontotherevelingbatherbelow.Twotemperature-

controlhandlesareconvenientlylocatedatwaistheight,andthetemperatureofthewaterfallcanbemicro-adjustedtosuitindividualtaste.Tocompletethisastoundingshowerfeature,theownerslaidamosaictilefloorcompletewithacenterdrain.TheshowerhasastunningviewoutovertheCoastRangeandPacificOcean.

Thewaterfallshowercombinesthecomfortofahotshowerwiththebeautyof

bathinginnature.

CHAPTER4TemporaryShowers

Aplastictrashcanharvestsrainwaterforagravity-fedshower.

HEREISWHEREWEPARTWAYSWITHTHEWORLDofpermanentshowerinstallation.Temporaryshowersaremotivatedbyadifferentsetofbathingrequirements(usuallyeaseofassemblyanduse)andthusrequireadifferentapproachtoconstruction.Thekindoftemporaryshoweryoucreateisdependentonhowandwhereyou’llbeusingit,aswellashowportableitmustbe.Forinstance,acampshowerthatneedstobetakenapartandpackedupeverydayortwowillrequireadifferentsetupthanashowerthatwillbeusedbyagroupofpeopleataweeklongmusicfestival.

Outdoorshowersneednotbecomplicatedtosetup.Thisone,attachedtoa

whiteoak,issuppliedwithbothhotandcoldwaterfromtwogardenhosesthataredisconnectedattheendoftheseason.

TheSolarShower

Ifyou’rehikingandwanttohaveameansofwashingwithhotwatersomewhatconsistently,you’llmostlikelywantasolarshower.Thisisareinforcedblackplasticbagthatholdsupto5gallons(19L)ofwaterandisfittedwitha“wateringcan”styleofnozzle.Youhangtheblackbagfromanearbytreebranch,whereitabsorbstheheatofthesun,warmingthewaterinside.Whenyou’rereadytoshower,yousimplyopenavalveneartheshowerhead,andoutcomesthewater.Suchashowerfeelsextravagantinrusticconditions.Whenemptyandrolledupfortraveling,theentireapparatusweighsnomorethanafewounces.

Atypicalsolarshowersetup.Theblackplasticbagisfilledwithwaterandheatsupinthesunwhilehangingfromtheapexofatripod(whichcanbewrappedwithatarpforprivacy).Thepalletkeepsthebatheroffthegroundandoutofwetsoilormud.

Therearemanysolarshowerproductsonthemarkettochoosefrom(seetheresources).Thedrawbackisthatifthereisn’tanysun,youdon’tgetahotshower.Therearewaystoovercomethatobstacle,however,suchasheatingwateronacampstoveorfireandmixinginenoughcoldwatertocreatethedesiredtemperatureforyoursolarshower.(Alwaysputthecoldwaterinyourbagfirst,andthenaddthehot.Ifyoudoittheotherwayaround,thebagmaymelt.)

Whatevertheconditionsyou’refacedwithwhilehikingorcamping,thesolarshowermaywellbeyoursalvation,consideringthebulkandweightofothershowersystems.

TheFixed-LocationCampShower

Hereisahorseofadifferentcolor.Withtheabilitytodriveinallthesuppliesyouneedcomesgreaterflexibilityincreatingyouroutdoorshower.Materialweightisnolongerofconsequence,sothetypeoftemporaryshoweryoubuildisdictatedonlybyyourneedsandthedegreeofimaginationyouwanttobringtothedesign.

Therequiredcomponentsforthisshowerareastructuralframeworkthatprovidessupportfortheplumbingandanyenclosureyoumightwant,asystemforheatingthewater,apump(eitherelectricormanual)thatdeliversthewatertotheshowerhead,aplatformforthebathertostandon,ashowerheadandtemperature-controlhandles,andagraywaterdrainagesystem.

StructureCampshowersusuallyemployarelativelysolidstructureforanongoingperiodoftime.Typicallythey’reusedforaweekortwo,thoughanextendedcampingsojourncouldeasilykeeptheminoperationformonthsatatime.TheuseofasemipermanentplumbingmaterialsuchasCPVCtubing(seechapter1)guaranteesthatsmoothoperationwillcontinueindefinitelyaslongasyouhavetakencaretoassembleallthejointsandfixturessecurely.

Thephysicalframeworkofthecampshowercanbeassembledwithavarietyofmaterialsthateasilyaffixtooneanotherandjustaseasilydisassemble—2x4woodframingstockorplywoodsecuredwithscrewsorcarriagebolts,treesaplingsboundtogetherwithrope,metalconduitwithanglebrackets,andinevitablyahostofothermaterials.

Apropane-heatedshowerensuresthatevenonacloudydaytherewillbehot

wateravailable.

Presizethematerialsathometomakesurethateverythingfitstogetherwellandisreadyforefficienton-siteassembly.Youcanlabelallthepartssothatyoucansetuptheshowerwithoutahitchwhenyourreachyourdestination.Theinitialinvestmentyoumakeindesigningandprefabricatingyourshowerwillmakethereassemblyeasytoperformwithafewhandtools,suchasahammer,cordlessscrewgun,andpliers.

WaterSupplyWhereyourwatercomesfromwilldepend,insomepart,onhowfarawayfromcivilizationyou’reconstructingyourshower.Youmightneedtopumporhaulwaterfromanearbypond,lake,orstream.Inareasthatreceiverainreliably,youmightconsidersettinguparaincatchment.Purchasingwaterfromalocaltankertruckissometimesapossibility.Ifyou’renearenoughawaterspigot,youmightjusthookupyourshowertoitwithagardenhose.

HeatingtheWaterThetemporaryshower,likeanyothershower,worksbydrawingheatedwateroverheadandcontrollingthevolumeasitdescendsoverthebather’sbody.Ifyouwanttotakeadvantageofmechanizingyourshower,youcanuseapropaneburnertoflash-heatyourwaterinametalcontainer.Manuallymixincoldwatertobalanceit,anduseasmallelectricmotortosiphonthis“shower-ready”mixtotheshowerheadwiththeflickofaswitch.

Ifyoudon’twanttheresponsibilityofelectricmotors,youcanuseastandardmarinefootpumptotransferthewaterfromthemixingcontaineruptoahangingreservoirabovethebather.Oncethewaterisinplace,openingareleasevalvewillallowittoexitthecontainerviaanattachedshowerhead.

DealingwithGraywaterYoucanconstructasimpleplatformbyattachingaseriesofboardssidebysidetotwocrosspiecesbeneaththem.Theboardsontopoftheplatformshouldhavespacesbetweenthemtoallowwatertodrainthrough.Theplatformgetsthebatherofftheground,providesastablesurfacetostandon,andallowsthegraywatertodrainfromthebathingplatform.Ifthesoilbeneaththeplatformhasasufficientpercolationrate,youcanallowthegraywatertosimplyfalltothegroundandbeabsorbedintotheearth.Otherwise,installawatertightpanunder

theplatformtocollectthegraywater,andpipeittoabetterspot(downhill)forabsorptionintotheearth.

Diggingadrywellandfillingitwithgravelismostlikelyunrealisticfortheconditionsunderwhichthisstyleofshowerisimplemented.Irecommendtakingthetimetofigureouthowtodisposeofthegraywaterresponsibly,though,becauseaconcentrationofsoaps,shampoos,andothercomplexchemicalcompoundscanhaveadamagingeffectontheenvironmentiftheydraindirectlyintoopenbodiesofwaterorareallowedtobecomeconcentratedinonespot.

Inadditiontoitsuniqueshape,theEntomoshowerhasasophisticatedgraywaterfilteringsystem.Itcollectsallthewastewaterfromtheshowerandsendsitthroughaseriesoffivefilterstoremoveimpuritiesbeforereturningittothesurroundingsoil.

TheEntomoShower

Agoodexampleofatemporaryshowerthat’sbothimaginativeandenvironmentallysensitiveistheEntomoshower,designedandbuiltbymechanicalengineerJonathanWest.Truetoitsentomologicalname,theshowerisshapedlikeagiantwasp,andeachbodyparthasadifferentfunction.

Thewaterforthisshowerispurchasedfromatankersupplytruckandstoredina55-gallon(208L)barrel.Mountedinsidethebarrelisanelectricpumpthatsendsthewateruptheinteriorofalegandintotheabdomenofthisfabricatedmetalinsectshower.Thepumpisactivatedbyaspring-loadedswitchinthehingemechanismofawoodengrillplatformsuspendedoverthegraywatercontainmentpool.Asbathersstepontotheplatformandstandunderthethorax,waterautomaticallycascadesoverthemandiscollectedbeneaththewoodengrillforrecycling.

Thegraywaterispumpedfromthecontainmentpoolthroughaseriesoffourfilters.Thefirstfilterisafinemeshthattrapsrelativelylargesolids.Followingisasandtrapandthenaheavy-dutyfilterthatremovesparticlesdownto20micronsinsize.Finally,acarbonfiltercollectsparticlesdownto5micronsinsize.Westusesthecleanedandfilteredgraywatertohosedowntheareaaroundthecamp.Hetakesthecollectedsludgeanddumpsitinalandfillinanearbytown.Thefilterscanstoreupto25pounds(11.3kg)ofsiltandneedcleaningonlyafteraboutaweekofcontinuoususe.

TheEntomosystemcostsabout$1,500tobuild.Thefiltersneedtobereplacedonayearlybasis,atacostofapproximately$80.Westsaysthathecouldcontinuetofilterthegraywaterevenfurtherwithinfraredfilterstocreatepotablewater,butitwasahardselltohisfriends.

MANUALORELECTRIC?

Dependingonyoursituation,outdoorshowerscanbeeithermanuallyoperatedorpoweredbyelectricity.Ashowerrunpurelyonmusclepowerissimpletobuildandeasytomaintainorrepair,especiallywhenjustafewpeoplewillbeusingit.However,withtheutilizationofelectricorgas-powereddevices,someoperationsbecomemoreefficient.Largevolumesofwaterformanypeoplecanbepumpedandprocessedinafractionofthetimeneededtoworkbyhand.

Thereisadownsidetothiskindofhigh-techapproach,though.Machineswithcomplexmovingpartsrequiremaintenanceandareliabletobreakdown.Ifyou’renotmechanicallyinclined,orifyou’rebuildingashoweroutinthewilderness(wheresparemachinepartsoramechanicarenighonimpossibletofind),youmaywanttooptforamanualsystem.Fewerworkingpartstobreakdownmeanlesstofix.

Alsoconsidertheenvironmentalimpactofwhicheversystemyouchoose.Gas-poweredpumps,forinstance,dischargecarbonmonoxideasexhaust,notonlypollutingtheair,butalsodetractingconsiderablyfromtheambienceofyouroutdoorshower.

THELOW-IMPACT,MANUALLYOPERATEDSHOWER

Thisdesigniseasytoassembleandrequiresonlyminimalmaterials.Theflowofwateriscontrolledbythebatherasrequired.

Asourceforheatingthewater,suchaspropaneburnerandtank

A5-gallon(19liter)metalpotforheatingandmixingwater

Afoot-operatednauticalbilgepump

Atripodmadeoutofthree8-foot(2.4m)lengthsof2-inch(5cm)schedule40PVCor2-inch(5cm)aluminumpipejoinedatthetopbycarriagebolts

16feet(4.9m)ofI-inch(19mm)heat-resistant,flexible,nautical-gradehose

A3-footby3-foot(91cmby91cm)woodengrillworkplatform,suchasapallet

Ashowerhead

Beginbyerectingthetripod;thebasesofthelegsshouldbe4to5feetfromeachother.Placethewoodenplatformonthegroundbelowtheapexofthetripod.Forprivacy,wrapatarparoundtheoutsideofthetripod,coveringthefirst6verticalfeetorso(remembertoleaveanentry/exitflap).

Attachtheshowerheadwithwiretotheapexofthetripodandrunthefeedtubedownoneofthelegs,windingitaroundthelegseveraltimestokeepitoutofthebathingspace.Inserttheendofthefeedtubeintothefoot-operatedpump,andsetthepumpontheplatform.

Placethepropanetankandburnerneartheplatform,withinreachofthepump.Openthevalveonthepropanetankandlighttheburner.Fillthemetalpotwith3gallonsofwaterandsetitontheburnertoheat.Whenthewaterisfullyheated,mixinenoughcoldwatertoreachasuitabletemperatureforshowering.

Runalengthofhosefromtheintakeofthefoot-operatedpumptothepotontopoftheburner,andinserttheendofthehoseintotheheatedwater(youmayneedtotieorclampittotheedgeofthepotsothatitwon’tfallout).Stepontotheplatform,andstartpumping.Thewaterwillbesiphonedintothehoseanduptotheshowerhead.Fivegallonsofwater,ifusedjudiciously,willprovideaveryadequateshower.

TheOpportunisticShower

Thislastoutdoorshowercategoryincludesinfinitepossibilitiesforwashingup,rinsingoff,coolingdown,bathing,orjustgettingwet.Theseshowersexistineveryclimate,environment,andlocale.Sometimestheyareobvious,suchasafirehydrantinthemiddleofacityneighborhoodonaswelteringsummerday.Thistypeofshowerbringstremendousjoyandrelieftothepeoplenearit.

Opportunisticshowerscanbehuman-madedevices,butmostoften

showeringwasnottheirintendeduse.Theseshowersmayalsobecreationsofnaturejustwaitingtobediscoveredandappreciatedbysomeone.Eitherway,theresponsibilityfallsonyourshoulders,sotospeak,tosearchoutandlocateoneofyourown.Thatistheopportunisticpart.

TheScoopBathAverycommonstyleofbathinginSoutheastAsiaaswellasinmanyothersubtropicalandtropicalregionsoftheworldisthescoopbath.Thissimplebathismerelyalargevessel,filledfromasourceofrunningorstandingwater,andahandheldcontainerusedtopourthewateroverthebody.Menandwomencanbeseenbathinginpublicinthisfashion,whilewearingasarongorsimplepieceofclothtoretainadegreeofmodesty.Theambient-temperaturewaterisusedtogetwet,latherup,andrinseoff.

Thissystemofbathingisquiteeffectiveinenvironmentswhereprivatebathroomsandsepticsystemssimplydon’texist.Friendsprovideassistanceforeachotherbytakingturnsbeingthe“waterpourer,”freeingupbothhandsofthebathertoattendtotheprocessofwashing.

TheBlackHoseOneultimatelysimpleshowerforuseinawarmclimateonasunnydayistheblackhoseshower.Purchasea50-foot(15.2m)lengthofblackhosefromyourlocalgardensupplier,andattachapressurenozzletotheend.Fillthehosewithwaterandleaveitinthesun.Whentheneedarises,simplysqueezethenozzletoproduceahotshower(thedurationofwhichwillbedeterminedbythelengthofthehoseandthespeedwithwhichyouusethewater).Exercisecautionwhenyoufirstturnonthehose,however,becausethewatermaybeextremelyhot.

Twobatherstakeadvantageofthenaturalshowerofferedbyawaterfall.

TheBurningManFestival

BlackRock,Nevada

EXQUISITEEXAMPLESOFTEMPORARYSHOWERScanbefoundinprofusionattheBurningManFestival,anartisticcollaborationthattakesplaceannuallyintheBlackRockDesertinnorthernNevada.Morethan35,000participantsdescendonthedesert,wherestreetsandavenuesaresetup,andpeoplebuildthemecampsfeaturingavastarrayofcreativeinstallations.

Showersmakeupalargepartoftheskylineatthisfestival.Becausetheideaistoleavenotraceofhumanpresenceoncethefestivalisover,showercreatorsmustemploycreativemeanstomakesurethatnobodypaint,soap,orshampooremains.Thesolutionthatmostrevelersuseistheevaporationpool.Thisconsistsofawide,shallowpoolinwhichgraywateriscollectedandevaporatedinthescorchingdesertsun.Thisisarelativelysuccessfulsystem—whencloudyweatherdoesn’tpreventevaporationanddustdoesn’tturnthepoolintoamuddymess.Thetypicalevaporationpoolconsistsofa10-foot-square(0.9sqm)sheetofclear-orblack-plastictarplaidonthegroundwithasquareframeofPVCtubingraisingtheperimeteredgesothatitwillholdwater.Oncethewaterhasevaporated,theplasticandremainingresidueisdisposedofinalandfill.

Apickle-shapedshowerheadattheBurningManFestival.

Blackplasticisawaytocollectanddisposeofsoapresidueoncethegraywater

fromashowerhasevaporated.

CHAPTER5PlanningandDesign

GrinningliketheCheshireCat,thiswoodlanddeitywatchesoverallwhopasshisstonewallonthewaytotheshower.

INORDERTOSUCCESSFULLYREALIZEYOURDREAMofcreatinganoutdoorshower,youmustbeginwithanoverallplanthatwillguideyouthroughthedifferentstagesoftheproject.You’relikelytofindthatyourinitialprojectionsaboutlocation,design,andbudget,tonamebutafew,arenotentirelyaccurateorpractical.Thisistypicalofmostconstructionprojectsandshouldnotbeacauseforconcern.Itisimportanttomaintainflexibilitythroughouttheplanningandbuildingprocess;yourworkmayunveilunexpectedopportunities,allowingforfreshinspirationthatcanbenefitallaspectsoftheproject.

Insteadofhavingacontractordesignyourshower,youmaydecidethatyouwanttodoityourself.Hopefully,byreadingthefirstpartofthisbook,you’vebecomefamiliarwiththewidevarietyofstyleanddesignoptionsthatcanbeusedasinspiration.Possiblyyoualreadyhaveaclearideaofwhatyouwantandareprimedtoimplementtheconstructionphaserightoff.Orperhapsyou’restillinthepre-designstage.Whateveryourpresentsituationis,bringwhatyouhavetotheprocessandexplorethemyriadelementsthatwillseeyourshowerthroughtocompletion.

Thisformalenclosedshowerensuresprivacyamidanenclaveofbuildings.

Thesouth-facingdeckofthiscabinonMartha’sVineyardofferstheperfectspot

foranoutdoorshowertobeinstalled.

BudgetandSchedule

Averyimportantfirststepistodeterminewhatyou’rewillingtospendonyourshower,andthentocontemplatewhat,ifany,leewayyouhaveinamendingthisnumber.Theactualcostsofprojectscommonlyrunoverwhatinitialprojectionsestablish,andvastoverrunscanturnaprojectintoanextremelyunsavorysituation.Socloselyexaminewhatyourbudgetparametersare,andkeeptheminmindwhenmakingdecisionsaboutyouroutdoorshowerproject.

Anotherkeyelementintheinitialplanningstage,butonethatcanbedifficulttorealisticallypindown,isthetimeline.Ifyou’reworkingwithacontractor,heorsheshouldbeabletogiveyouaroughestimate.Evenafter20yearsofbuilding,however,Isometimesunderestimatetheamountoftimeeachdetailwillrequire.WhentheprojectsI’mcontractedforinvolvenewmechanicalandaestheticchallenges,I’mnotabletotakeadvantageoftheefficiencyofmotionandexperientialknowledgethatcomesfromrepetitivepractice.Inthesecases,doubling,tripling,orevenquadruplingwhatseemstobethemostreasonableinitialscheduleprojectionbringsitclosertothefinalreality.Oncetheelementsofyourdesignandyourchoiceofmaterialsstarttogel,itbecomeseasiertoprojecthowlongtheproject“should”take.

CreatingaBudgetJustlikeanyconstructionproject,thebudgetforyouroutdoorshowerwillcomprisethreecosts:design,materials,andlabor.Estimatingyourfinancialoutlaywilldependonhowmuchoftheprojectyouwanttodoyourself.Ifyou’rehiringsomeoneforeitherthedesignorconstructionportionsoftheproject(see,“FindingaGoodContractor,”page120),heorshewillberesponsibleforcalculatingcostsandshouldpresentyouwithanestimatebeforetheprojectgetsunderway.

Ifyou’retakingonthedesigningand/orbuildingyourself,thefollowingaresomeguidelinestohelpyoumakeabudgetformaterials.Beginbydividingyourprojectintophases,andmakealistofallofthematerialsandtoolsyouimaginewillbenecessarytocarryouteachphase.Thekeytomakingacompletematerialslististhinkingabouteachphaseasifyou’reactuallybuildingit.Forexample,considerthesitepreparationasonephase.Whatwillthatinvolve?Willyouhavetorentabackhoetodigthefoundation,orisitsmallenoughtodigby

hand?Ifyou’rediggingadrywell,howmanyyardsofgravelwillyouneedtohavedelivered?

Youcanthenestimatethecostsofindividualmaterialsbyresearchingonline,orsimplybycallingaroundtovarioussuppliers.It’simportanttogetquotesfromanumberofdifferentsources,aspricescanvarywidely.

FindingaGoodContractor

Ifyouwanttohireaprofessionalcontractortooverseetheconstructionofyouroutdoorshower,therearecertainguidelinesyoushouldfollowforlocating,hiring,andworkingwiththisperson.Contractorsaretrainedandlicensedtocarryoutallfacetsofconstruction.Theyusuallydosomeofthehands-onworkthemselvesandfarmoutcertaintaskstosubcontractors,eithertospeeduptheprojectorbecausethetaskinvolvesworkoutsidethescopeoftheirexpertise(forexample,abuildingcontractormightsubcontractwithaplumbertoinstallthewatersupplyanddrainagesystem).Astheclient,youshouldatleastfeelcomfortablewithandtrustingof,ifnotdownrightexcitedandenthusiasticabout,yourchoiceofcontractor.

Locatingacontractorcanbearealchallengeifyouarestartingoffcold.Oneofthebestwaystofindafair,reliable,hardworkingcontractorwhoproduceshigh-qualityworkisbywordofmouth.Thetestimonyofatrustedfriendwhohadagoodexperiencewithaparticularcontractoristremendouslyvaluable.Thetimeyouspendupfrontmakingsurethatthepersonyou’rehiringisworthyofyourinvestmentoftime,energy,resources,andpeaceofmindisoftheutmostimportance.Hiringsomeonewithoutsufficientreferences,backgroundchecks,previousclienttestimonials,andportfoliosubmissionsmaynotonlygetyourprojectoffonthewrongfootbutmayputitonacrash-coursetrajectorywithadisastrousconclusion.Ultimately,thereisnoreasontothinkyoucansavetimeorexpensebyrushingthroughtheprocessoffindingtherightpartnerforyourproject.Sobecareful,anddoyourhomework.

Douglasfirtimberscreateaframeforthe6-by-6-inchglassblocksthatwill

enclosethisshower.

Ifyouhavenopersonalrecommendationsfromfriends,findatleastthreecontractorsinyourareatointerview.Haveaninitialmeetingwitheachofthemtogooveryourprojectedrequirements(suchasdesign,budget,andtimeline),andaskeachforrecommendationsfrompreviousclientscompletewithcontactinformation,imagesofcompletedprojects,acopyoftheirliabilityinsurancepolicy,andtheirvalidcontractorlicensenumber.Contractorsshouldbewillingtofurnishallofthistoyou,andthenitisuptoyoutoresearchallofthisinformation.

Dependingonhowmuchoftheshoweryou’dliketobuildyourself,youmayonlyneedtofindagoodplumbertoinstalltheplumbing.Mostprofessionalplumbersshouldbecomfortablesettingupthebasicfixturesforashower,butit’scertainlyadvantageoustohiresomeonewhohasspecificexperienceinstallingoutdoorshowers.

Afloweringdogwoodisthebackdropforthisenclosed/attachedshower.Theownerschoseawest-facingsite,andthesunnyshowerisawelcomerespiteattheendoftheday.

DREAMSHOWERS

ThesedesignsaretheresultofbrainstormingsessionsIhavehadwithfriendsandfamily.Weworkedwithvariousenvironmentsandphysicalchallengestoseewhatkindofcreativeshoweringscenarioswecouldcomeupwith.Theymayofferyouanideaorsetyourowncreativejuicesflowing.Asyougoaboutyourownbrainstormingforshowerideas,remembertostayopentotheunexpected.

TheTeahouseShower

WithitsJapaneseteahouse–inspireddesign,thismeditationhutandoutdoorshowerusherinasenseofrelaxationandcalmness.Builtonasmallscale,theteahousecouldservesimplyasachangingareafortheshower.Onalargerscale,itcouldbetheperfectsettingforaweekendhideaway.

WhattoExpectThisinitialmeetingisusuallyfreeofcost,asitisjustapreliminaryconsultation.Thecontractorswillwanttotakeasetofyourworkingbuildingplanswiththeminordertoprepareabidormakeanestimateforthejob.Ifyoudon’thaveasetofplansatthistime,youcanhireanarchitecttodrawsome(thecriteriaforhiringanarchitectaresimilartothoseforhiringacontractor),workwithyourcontractortodesignitwithyou,ordesignityourself(see“DesignIdeas,”page126).Withgoodworkingplans,youshouldbeabletogetbackfromyourprospectivecontractorsanaccurateestimateofthepricetheywillchargeyoufor

theconstruction.Comparetheestimatesyougetbackfromthecontractors,butalsoconsider

yourfuturerelationshipwiththem.Youmayenduphiringsomeonewhodoesn’thavethelowestbidbutseemstobethebestoveralltoworkwith.

Onceyouhaveadesign,acontractor,andaworkableprice,youandyourcontractorcanworkoutatimelinethatisacceptableforbothofyou.Besuretodiscussthedegreeofflexibilityyouhavefortheproject’sstretchingbeyondtheanticipatedcompletiondate.Acommonmistakeinhomebuilding,forexample,istoplanahousewarmingpartyormoving-indayforadatesoonaftertheprojectedcompletionofthehouse.Asthearbitrarilychosenenddateapproachesandtimegetsshort,massivepressuretofinishontimecanresult.Intheend,theremaybesomeslipshodworkasworkerscutcornerstryingtoreacharapidlyapproachinggoal.Whileit’sgoodtoknowwhatyourpreferredenddateis,it’salsohelpfultoallowthecontractorsomeflexibilityforwhenaschedulerunsbehind.

Yourcontractorwillworkwithyoutowriteupacontractoutliningallthekeyinformationpertainingtotheservicestoberendered,designexpectations,paymentschedulestiedtocertainstepsoftheprojects,andthedatesbywhichthesestagesaretobecompleted.Bothyouandyourcontractorshouldsignanddatethecontract,andeachofyoushouldretainacopyofitforyourrecords.

Attheendoftheprojectisthepunchlist,alistofthelastofthedetailsthatneedtobetakencareof,includingallthoselittlelooseendsthatmakeyourshoweracompletedprocess.Thelistismerelywhateverissofarleftundoneorfullycompletedonanyproject.Sometimesdesigndetailsgetchangedandareputoffuntiltheendoftheprojecttowrapup,orsomethingbreaksandneedsrepair,ortherearescratchesinthesurfaceofafinishedmaterialthatneedtobefixed.Completionofthepunchlistdetailscanmakeorbreakaproject.Ifyourcontractorseesalloftheseitemsthrough(asheorsheisundercontracttodo),thengreat!Jobwelldone.Ifnot—andsomepeoplejustsomehowmissfinishingallthedetails—thenmakesuretobringthemtoyourcontractor’sattention.Finalpaymentshouldnotbemadeuntilthejobiscompletelyfinished.

Thearborabovethisoutdoorshowerhelpstovisuallyconnectthehousetothe

garage,andprovidesforawelcomingentrance.

DesignIdeas

Whetherornotyoudecidetobuildyourownoutdoorshower,youmaybeinspiredtodesignoneonyourown.Ifyouhaveaworkingknowledgeofdesignandconstruction,youwon’tbelimitedbytheneedtohireprofessionalstocreateashowerdesignforyou.Therewillalwaysbeaneedforskilledcraftspeopletosupplyspecializedserviceswhentheyarerequired.Butlearningabitaboutdesigncanhelppersonalizeyourproject.

Presentedherearesuggestionsforwaystoapproachthedesignprocessforyouroutdoorshower.Dependingonthestyleyoufindmostcomfortabletoworkwith,takewithyouwhatevertipsareusefulandallowthemtoguideyourcreativeprocess.

Theminimalistshoweratthebaseofthistieredsundeckisperfectforrinsingoffbeachsandbeforeenteringthehottub.

KeepaJournalIkeepacollectionofimages(frombooks,magazinearticles,newspaperclippings,andphotosI’veshot)toremindmyselfoftheinspiringideasofothers.Anoldstonefoundationdeepinthewoods,atrellisattachedtoathree-seasonlakesidepavilion,oraBalinesetree-househotel—allsuchideasshouldbeexploitedfortheirabilitytoeducatetheeye.Usetheseaestheticfeaturestosparkyourowncreativedrive.

Yourjournalshouldcontainalltheinformationpertinenttoyourdesignandconceptualizationstage,contactinformationforvarioussourcesofmaterials,directionsforlocatingmaterialsyoucomeacrossonyourinvestigativeadventures,pricinginformation,andalltherandomideas,brainstorms,andsuggestionsthatotherpeoplegiveyou.Allthisinformationisimportanttokeeptrackofbecauseeachandeverystepalongthewayisgoingtoproducehelpfulinformationthatwilldeepenandenrichyourshowerproject.

AnothergoodsourceofinformationanddesignideasistheInternet.Doasearchusingkeywordslikeoutdoorshower,poolsidestructure,pavilion,trellis,stonebuildingandsculpture,woodenplaystructures,andInevitablyyouwillfindmoreinformationthanyoucouldpossiblywant,sonarrowitdowntowhatisthemostrelevanttoyourpersonaltaste,whetherit’sastonesculpturebyIsamuNoguchioraredwoodtrellisfromacompanyinnorthernCalifornia.

Thisstageoftheprocessmayextendbeyondyourjournaltoincludespecialbuildingmaterialsorotherobjectsyou’vecollectedalongtheway.Throughtheyears,I’vecollectedmaterialsthathadnoimmediateuseatthetimebutweresofullofpromiseforalaterprojectthatIpurchased(orbarteredfor)themorsimplyspentthetimeandenergytohaulthemoffthebeachoroutofthewoods.Istoretheminagarageorthebasement,waitinguntiltherightbuildingprojectcomesalong.You,too,mayhaveasecretstashofmaterialsyou’llwanttoconsiderforyourproject.

DesignInSituSeasoneddesignersspendplentyoftimeintheenvironmentthey’rebeinghiredtoworkwith.Somewilltakeanentireyeartotracktheseasonalchanges,familiarizingthemselveswiththesubtletransitionsthataffecttheenvironmentthroughlightandtemperature.Theenddesignshouldbeareflectionofthelocation,lookingasifitgrewoutoftheenvironmentasnaturallyasatree.

Yourowndesignwillbenefitfromthetimeyouspendinthespacewhereyouroutdoorshowerwillbebuilt.Therewillcertainlybeatimewhenyou’ll

needtorefineyourideasandthinkaboutthepracticalaspectsoftheshower,butforatime,allowyourcreativitytoflowunobstructedfromyourrationalmind.

Startbycollectingsomematerialstodrawwith,suchasasketchpad,pencils,pens,oilpastelsticks,charcoal,fingerpaints,orwhateveryoufindtheeasiestandmostfuntoworkwith.Gatheryourdesignmaterialsandgotothelocationwhereyouwanttobuildyouroutdoorshower(ifyouarecontemplatingmorethanonesiteanddon’tyetknowwhichispreferable,thisexercisemayhelpyoudecide).Whileyouarewalking,imaginewhatkindofpathyouwouldliketohaveleadingtotheshoweringenvironment.Doyoualreadyhavestoneorbrickwalkwaysonyourland?Maybeyouwanttoaddanewelementtoyouryard,somethingspecialjustfortheshower.Visualizethetypeofmaterialaswellasthefeelofitunderyourfeet.Carefullyplacedcobblestones?Pigmentedconcretepadswithaggregateinthem?Brickslaidinaherringbonemotif?

Next,standinthelocationwhereyouexpecttheshowerheadtocastitswater.Lookaroundandexperiencetheshowerstructureofyourdreams.Isthereastructureatall?Maybeitisenoughjusttohaveasimplearrangementcomposedofjusttheplumbing,withouttheadditionofanyenclosure.Orpossiblyyouseeinyourmind’seyeasimpleroomofsorts.Gothroughthescenariosofthedifferentmaterialsandoptionsyouareconsidering.Doestheenclosurehavebothwallsandadoor?Whatisthematerialused—stone,wood,brick,orstucco?Isthereanopeningtolookoutofsoyoucangazeatabeautifulfeatureofyouryardordistantview?Whatisoveryourhead—atrellisofstrongtimbersdefiningthesky,possiblywithavinegrowinginapleasinglyserpentinefashionthroughit?Oristheskyviewuninterrupted?

Useyourimaginationandreallyfeelwhatitwillbeliketoinhabitthisspace.Doyouwantroomfortwopeopletoshowersimultaneously?Howwillthisfactoraffecttheplacementoftheshowerheads?Willtherebeanykindoflightinginstalledsothatyoucansafelyandconvenientlyshoweratnight?

Asyouaskyourselfthesequestions,beopentothesilentanswersthatcometoyouintheformofimagesorideas.Drawwhatfirstcomestomindwithoutthinkingaboutit.Nomatterhowwildorridiculousanimagemaybe,justletitcomeoutandleadyouontothenextone.Youareworkingwiththeinfluenceofthespacehere,andinevitablyithasalottooffer.Youmaysuddenlyunderstandsomethingaboutthelocationthatneverdawnedonyoubefore.Oryoumightrealizethatitisbettertoslightlychangethelocationtoaspotthatisbettersuitedtoyourtaste.Ormaybecarefullychangingtheorientationtoadifferentdirectionwouldmakeallthedifference.

Aframedwindowwithoutglassprovidesthebatherwithaviewofthe

surroundingenvironment.

Thefinalstructuremayenduplookingnothingliketheimagesyou’redreaminguphere,butthisisaveryimportantstepintheprocess.Allotherdesignswillfollowthesefirstloose,wild,inspiredsketches.

Thecreatorsofthissimpleoutdoorshowerhaveusedablacklocustbranchtoaddanorganicflairandgivethemorninggloriessomethingtoclimb.

Thetree-houseshowerofferstheopportunitytobathehighintheverdantboughsandfoliageofyourfavoritetree.Thisparticulardesignisamagnetforchildrenlovingtheadventurousopportunityofescapingskyward,muchinthefashionofthecharactersofTheSwissFamilyRobinson.Thetree-house

showercanbeasimpleplatform,oryoucangotogreatlengthstocreateanentiretreetopapartmentfeaturingabedroom,deck,andshoweringenclosure.Graywatercanbecollectedinatraybeneaththeshowerplatformandplumbeddowntotheground,whereitcouldemptyintoadrywellorbeusedtowaterthetreeitself.

ReflectonYourDesignSo,doesyourdesignincludefanciful,freeformshapesorisitangular,clean,andmeticulousinadifferentway?Areyoudrawntocurvesortostraightlinesandplanes?Haveyouincorporatedobjectsyoucouldfindinnature,suchastreetrunksorboulders?Perhapsyouknowofanold,rustywagonwheelthatyoupassedwhilehikingonedaythatwouldmakeforanincredibledesignelement?Doplantsplayaroleinyourmind’simageoftheshower—perhapssomegorgeousfloweringvinesattachedtothemainstructure?Isyourdreamshowerattachedtoamainbuildingcompletelyorpartly,orisitentirelyseparateandonitsowninasecludedgladeorcopseoftrees?

Lookcarefullyoveryournotepad.Arethereanyelementsinyoursketchesthatreallyspeaktoyou?Arethereparts,nomatterhowsmallorseeminglyinsignificant,thatcallbackyoureyeagainandagain?

Keeplookingoveryourdrawings.Didyouincludeadoor?Howdoesyourdoorrelatetothewalls?Isitmadefromthesamematerialsorsomethingentirelydifferent?Ifyouusedcolors,whatmaterialsdothecolorssignify?Haveyoubeenstoringinyourgarageforthepast10yearsaboxofterra-cottatilethatyoupurchasedwhilevacationinginMexico?Maybethosetilesweresoextraordinaryyoujustcouldn’tpassthemup,soyouhaggledoverapricewiththeshopowneranddrovethemhome,andtheretheyhavelivedeversince,waitinguntilthismomenttobeused.Suddenly,whileyouweremadlysketching,youdecidedtouseburntsienna,andnowyourealizethatthosetilesareexactlythatcolorandtheywerewhatyouwerethinkingofallalong.

RefineYourDesignNowtherefinementbegins.Choosetheareasthatstandouttoyou.Allowthesedetailstoguideyournextdrawings.Thistimestartwiththecomponentsyouknowyouwanttoretain,andlettherestofthedesignevolveinrelationtothem.Maybetheareasthatinitiallyworkedcanbethestartingpointofamotif(arepeateddesign,shape,orpattern)thatcarriesthroughtherestofthestructure.

Theintricatewoodenjoineryandcedargrillworkofthisshowerrequiresmoredetailedplanningthanasimpleminimalistbackyardshowerwould.

Apreexistingbuildingmayalreadyhaveastrongmotifthatyouwanttoextendtotheshower,orperhapsyouwanttocreatecontrastandstylizedtensionwithanotheraestheticentirely.Eitherway,keepwiththeelementsthatworkforyou,andsetasidetheextraneous.Youarepanningforaestheticgold,andeventuallyyouwillhaveacompleteandperfectdesign.

Bygivingampletimeandenergytothispartofthedesignprocess,youwillmaximizeyourefficiency.Itisfareasiertoredrawadesignthanitistorebuildone.Saveyourpreciousresourcesoftime,energy,andmaterialsforbuildingexactlywhatyouwant.Butrefineandre-refineyourdesignuntilyouarecompletelysureofwhatyouwant.

Yourshowerdesignwillcontinuetomatureandchangeastheconstructionprocessmovesforwardwitheachaddedmaterialandvisittothebuildingsite.Yourshowerwillnotbefullycompleteuntiltheplumbingsolderhascooled,themortarhasdriedbetweenthestones,andthewateriscoursingdownoveryourwork-wearymuscles.

Theideahereistoretainenoughintentionandforwardmovementwiththeprojectthatdiligentworkcontinues,whileremainingopenandflexiblefornew

ideasandinspirations.

CreateaScaledRenderingOnceyouhavedeterminedwhereyouwantyourshowertobelocated,howitwillbeconstructed,andwhatitwilllooklike,youarereadytorender(ordrawtoscale)thedesign(orshareyourideaswithaprofessionaldesigner,whowillcreateascaledrenderingforyou).Drawingtoscalemeansthatyouwilldrawanexactminiatureofyourstructureinwhichafractionofaninchonyourdrawingisequalto1footattheactualshowersite.Standardscaleddrawingsuse¼inchand½inchtothefoot.Forexample,ifyouaredrawingawallthatis8feethighin½-inchscale,thewallwillbe4incheshighonpaper.Orifatrellisis6feetwide,in¼-inchscaleitwouldbe1½inchesonpaper.(Inthemetricsystem,scaledrawingsarepreparedusingratios,suchas1:25or1:125,inwhateverunitsthedesignerconsidersappropriate.)

Youcanusewhateverincrementiscomfortabletoworkwith,keepinginmindthatthetranslationfromfoottoinchmustbeconsistentandnottooconfusingtocomputeinyourhead(especiallywhendealingwithfractionsofthescale),anditmustresultinascaled-downdrawingthatwillfitonyourpaper.Graphpaperhelpsconsiderablywiththisprocessbecauseitisalreadylaidoutinagrid.Youcanpurchasethefewessentialdraftingtoolsfromalocaldesign,office,orartsupplystore.Youwillneedthefollowing:pencils,aneraser,graphordraftingpaper,adraftingruler(whichistriangularandhasscaledmeasurementsalongeachedge),aplasticright-angle“square,”anyassortmentofcurvedformsyoumaywanttouse,andarolloftracingpaper.

Ashowercreatedentirelyoutofstainedglasswillilluminateyouwithrefracted,coloredsunlight.Somepeopleevenbelievethatcertainpartsofthecolor

spectrumaffectyourmoodindifferentways.Focusonanareaofthespectrumyoufeeldrawnto.

Therearetwobasicwaystodepictastructureinarchitecturaldrawing:theplanview,lookingdownonthestructurefromabove,showingoveralldimensionsandthelayoutofthespace,includingrelationshipsbetweendifferentroomsandsurroundingstructures;andtheelevationview,showingboththeinteriorandtheexteriorofthestructure,onewallorsideatatime.Elevationdrawingsareverydetailedindepictingallthearchitecturalelementsofthestructure,includingsiding,trim,andhardware.

First,drawtheplanviewtoscale,includingthethicknessofthewalls,thedirectioninwhichthedoorwillopen,thebenches,thetowelrack,andsoon,beingsuretoincludeallthefixed-in-placeorbuilt-inelementsofyourshower.Remembertoincludetheoveralllengthandwidthmeasurementsofallsuchstructuresandfixtures.

Second,drawexteriorviewsofeachsideoftheshower,includingtheheightandlengthmeasurementsofallthespecialfeaturesyouwanttoinstall,suchasfoundobjects,trellises,steps,windows,andwoodenbeams.Labeleachelevationdrawingaccordingtothedirectionalsideofthestructureitshows(east,west,north,south),whichwillkeeptheorientationclear.

Oncethesedrawingsarecomplete,youcancontinuetorefineyourideasbylayingtracingpaperoverthescaledrenderingsandsketchingoutrevisionsontop.Whenyouthinkthatyouhavefinallyreachedthepointwhereyouaresatisfiedwithyourdrawingsandthereisnomoretoadd,thenmakeafinalrenderingofyourdrawingsandletthesebeyourworkingplans.Remembertokeepallthesketches,scribbleddrawings,anddraftsofyourplansfiledinyourconstructionjournalforfuturereference.

TheUltimateOpportunisticShower

Maui,Hawaii

ONENEWYEAR’SMORNING,eightofusdrovedownanarrowandwindingcliffsideroadontheremoteHanacoastofMaui.Fiftyfeetbelowwasariverthatisoftenfloodedbytheheavystormsthatpoundthesouthernfaceofthe10,000-foot-highHaleakalaCrater.Thesefloodspourintosteepravinesandcreatewallsofwaterthatdevourtrees,animals,andtheoccasionalunsuspectingtourist.

Onthatday,weparkedthetrucksupthebeachfromthecrushingsurfbreakandwalkedsinglefileintotheenvelopingjunglevegetation.Shaftsofblazingsunlightandthesoundsofdistantandexoticmynahbirdsfiltereddownthroughtheverdantgleam.Wemadeourwayhandoverfootacrossriver-slickboulders,beingmindfulofthetreacherousalgae-coveredsurfaces.

SoonIcouldmakeoutthedistantsoundofapowerfultorrentofwater,andmypacequickenedasIlookedaheadtocatchaglimpseofwhatIwashearing.Inmoments,awaveofmisthitmeasIstaredindisbeliefatthisparagonofnature—an80-footwaterfallcascadingdownintoacrystallinepool.Withexaltationsofglee,weplungedintothepool.Idoveunderwaterandswamasfarasonebreathwouldcarryme,emergingbeneaththedirectimpactofthistorrentofpower.

Thewaterfallpoundedmyheadandshoulders.Allmystrengthwasrequiredtoremainafloatandbreathingwhilebeingstationedintheimpactzoneofthisliquidfreefall.Itfeltlikemarblesfallingfromthesky.Ihadneverexperiencedthisbefore;Iwantedtomoveaway,yetthemomentfeltalltooprecious.

Finally,Iswamawayandgazedatthisincrediblesight,averitableEden.Lushtropicalvegetationgrewenthusiasticallyonthesurroundingcavernouswalls.Amongdelightedfriendscavortingandplayinglikechildren,IfeltallwaswellonthatNewYear’smorn.

Resources

ARCHITECTSBlackbirdArchitectsSantaBarbara,CA805-957-1315Venice,CA310-392-3150

HorstBuchananArchitectsJamaicaPlain,MA617-524-6429www.horstbuchanan.com

LanceJ.Brown,ArchitectLBrown147@aol.com212-255-1575(fax)MacNellyCohenWestTisbury,MAwww.macnellycohen.com508-693-4043

LANDSCAPEARCHITECTSJaneMacLeishLandscapesWashington,DC202-966-8279www.janes-garden.com

StephenStimsonAssociatesFalmouth,MA508-548-8119www.stephenstimson.com

DESIGNERSChanceAndersonCanterbury,NH603-783-4490

BlacklineDesignBuildOakland,CA510-663-8868www.blacklinedb.com

AlexiaBrueBrooklyn,NY212-929-5667alexiabrue@perfectbath.comEthanFierroKehei,HI808-874-1239www.ethanfierro.com

GaryHarcourtAgainsttheGrainOakBluffs,MA508-693-7414

JayLagemannChilmark,MAwww.gowildisland.com

SteveLohmanWestTisbury,MA508-693-4869www.lineartgallery.com

PaulTullerDublin,NH603-563-8884ww.barndoorvideo.com

SUPPLIERSRodneyBeauchesneMontague,MA413-367-2482

GovGolemanMetalUrgesConway,MA413-369-4451

Sticks&StonesCampbell,CA

408-378-1950

Tony’sT-House805-646-6385www.tonysthouse.com

GinnyYannsNewYork,NY212-989-1185

MANUFACTURERSChicagoFaucetwww.chicagofaucet.com

Eljerwww.eljer.com

HaloLightingwww.halolighting.com

Kohlerwww.kohler.com

Moenwww.moen.com

OTHERREADINGBathrooms:InspiringIdeasandPracticalSolutionsforCreatingaBeautifulBathroombyChrisCassonMaddenClarksonPotter,1996

CathedralsoftheFlesh:MySearchforthePerfectBathbyAlexiaBrueBloomsburyUSA,2003

Acknowledgments

ItwasthestaffatStoreyPublishingthatfirstcameupwiththeconceptofabookonoutdoorshowers.IespeciallywanttothankeditorialdirectorDeborahBalmuth,whoguidedtheprocessthroughitsearlystageswithsuchenthusiasmandsupport,aswellasDanReynoldsandPamArtfortheirsupportandreceptivityofthisproject.

Iamgratefultomyeditor,CarleenPerkins,forhercreativity,professionalism,andebullience,consideringthedauntingtaskofsiftingoutthegrainfromthechaffoftheoriginalmanuscript.

Also,adeepbowofappreciationforandacknowledgmentthatthisbookwouldnotexistwithouttheloveandsupportofsomanyfriends,family,andkindredspiritswhoagreedtoletmeincludeimagesofthemand/ortheirshowersandsurroundings.Theysharedtheirknowledgeandwisdomaboutaestheticsandtechnicalchallengesandemergedasaseamlesswebofinterconnectedvoices,allsharingwiththisauthorhisloveofshoweringoutofdoors.

Tothecenterofthe“sixdegreesofseparation”anddearestfriend,PamelaPutney,whohasprovidedsanctuary,creativeguidance,encouragement,andtirelessnurturing.

Ispecificallywanttothankmymentor,ChanceAnderson,woodandstoneworkerextraordinaire,whoseaffectionateparticipationwiththenaturalworldhasbeenabeaconandaninspiration.

Andanotherbowtomywoodworkingsensei,PaulTuller,whohaslostsleepoverfindingcreativesolutionstomymechanicalhurdles.

IwanttoalsothankMichaelSinger,friendanddesigngenius,andmygodfather,DickNewick,whoseworld-classmulti-hullssetthebarforexcellenceinphysicalmanifestationwhenIwasateenagerunderhistutelage.

ItwasmymotherLeeandmyfatherBerniewhokinestheticallyboreanadorationfortheartisticapproachtolifeandcreatedtheoutdoorshowerofmychildhood,whettingmyappetiteforbathingoutdoors.

Andlastly,tomylifelongfellowadventurerandbelovedwife,Phyllis,whosecommitment,devotion,andboundlessspirithasinfusedthisentireprocess.

Underwetstarlightdelicatelymassaging

rejuvenation

Index

Pagenumbersinitalicsindicatephotographsorillustrations.

A

accessibility,14

accessories,30

activesolarsystem,20

adobe,62,63.Seealsostuccoandplasteraesthetics,37,63,72,127.Seealsodesignalcove,38

ambient-temperatureshower,23

AppleFarm,The,29

arbor,42,81,82,85,125

architect,124

architecturaldrawing,135

architecture,12,40,72,86,88

Arizona,93,99

Asia,67,112

attachedminimalistshower,78

B

balancedstonelanterns,37

bamboo,66,67,90

beachsideshower,72,73,76

Beauchesne,Rodney,59

BigSur,California,68–69

blackplastictarp,114,115

BlackRock,Nevada,114–15

brick,50,51,60,91

bronzehardware,41,78

budgetandschedule,119–20

buildingcodes,21,24

buildingcontractor,120,122,124,126

buildingmaterials,40–43

quality,12

semitransparent,96

siteaccessfor,14

wallsandenclosures,28

Seealsospecificmaterial

BurningManFestival,The,114–15

C

cabana,27

California,65,68–69,84,100–101

campshower,105–8

CapeCod-stylehouse,44

ceilingtile,55

centerdrain,100

chimney,40

chlorinatedpolyvinylchloride(CPVC),23,105

cistern,17

climate

coldweather,55,59,63,95

tropical,23

Seealsowinterizationcollectionpan.

Seeshowerpancomputer-controlledlightingsystems,34–35

concrete,27,42,63,68,93,95

contractor,120,122,124,126

copper,23

hanginglamps,37

lantern,35

plumbing,31,41,70,95

verdigrispatina,37,78

corrugatedgalvanizedmetalpanels,29,84

CPVC(chlorinatedpolyvinylchloride)tubing,23,105

D

deck,26,41

deck-sideshower,83

depressurization,21

design,36,76,132,133.Seealsoplanninganddesigndimmerswitch,34,37

down-washlamps,34,35

drainage.Seewaterdrainage

dreamshowerdesigns

stainedglassnautilusshower,134

teahouseshower,123

tree-houseshower,131

drywell,25,27,81

E

electrician,35

electricity,95,109

elevationdrawing,135

enclosed/attachedshower,79,117

fieldstoneconstruction,53

graywaterevacuation,81

moisturedamageprotection,79–81

privacy,81

styles,82–85

end-capfittings,22

Entomoshower,108,109

EsalenInstitute,The,68–69

evaporationpool,114,115

expansiontank,20

F

feedlines,21

fiber-opticcable,37

fittings,30

fixedlocationcampshower,105–8

fixtures,30,100

flash-heatingwater,18

floodlights,34

floor.Seeshowerfloor

footings,27

footpump,111

footrinsing,25,38,85

framing,42,84

freeformshowerenclosure,62

freestandingpedestalshower,78

freezingweather.Seewinterizationfullydetachedshower,91,92

glassblock,39

glazedceramictile,57

styles,91,92–93

walkway,91,94–95

whitecedar,11

G

galvanizedmetalpanels,29,84

galvanizedpipe,22

gardenhoses,77,103

gas-poweredpumps,109

geothermalsulfurhotsprings,69

glass

block,39,60,61,63,96,98

framingfor,63

plexiglass,91

stainedglass,60,63

graveldrywell,25

graywater,86

drainage,24–26

evacuation,81

filtering,Entomoshower,108,109

forirrigation,95

unfiltered,26

“groutpile,”55

H

handlesandhooks,33

hardware.Seefixtures

Hawaii,38–39,57,136–37

headroom,30

hooksandhandles,33

hotsprings,69

hottub,126

hotwater,17–20

householdtankheaters,18

on-demandheaters,18

solarheaters,19–20

Seealsoplumbing

householdwastewatersystem,81

hydrogensulfide,18

I

illumination.Seelighting

indoor-outdoorshower,96,97–99

insectbreedingground,81

inspection,21

J

Japanese-stylesoakingtub,99

K

KahuaHawaiianInstitute,The,38–39,76

L

landscaping,12

floweringtreebackdrop,122

ornamentalgrasses,28

perennialsandshrubs,92

vegetativescreening,28,82,91

vines,53,130

lathewall,67

leachfield,26

LED(light-emittingdiode),37

liabilityinsurancepolicy,122

licensedcontractor,21,120,121

light-emittingdiode(LED),37

lighting

pathway,95

shower,34–35,60,95,128

localbuildingcodes,21,24

location,12–14

low-impact,manuallyoperatedshower,110,111

lumber.Seewood

lumberyard,56

M

manuallyoperatedshower,109,110,111

Martha’sVineyard,Massachusetts,9,71,75,85

materials.Seebuildingmaterials;specificmaterial

Maui,Hawaii,38–39,57,58,75,90,136–37

mermaidshower,76

metal,29,64,84

mildew,58

minimalistshower,65,73,74–77,78,126

modesty.Seeprivacy

moisturedamageprotection,79–81

monumentcompanies,56

mountaintopshower,76

multi-headshower,72

N

Naguchi,Isamu,127

naturalwatersources,15,113

nauticalfootpump,111

nautical-gradedecklights,34,41

nautilus-shapedenclosure,83

Nevada,114–15

NewEngland,54,79

NewHampshiremountaintopshower,76

O

on-demandheaters,95

opportunisticshower,15,112,113,136,137

blackhose,112

scoopbath,112

ornamentalaggregates,63

P

PacificNorthwest,45,46

partition,28,81,96

passivesolarsystem,20

path.Seewalkway

pedestalshower,10,22,77,103

percolationofsoil,24,25

permanentshowers,70–72.Seealsospecificshowertypephotovoltaicpanels,19

pipes.Seeplumbing

planninganddesign,116–35,131

budgetandschedule,119–20

contractorselection,120,122,124,126

ideagathering,126–28,130

refinementofdesign,132–33

scaledrendering,133,135

planview,135

plexiglass,91

plumber,122

plumbing,21–22

drainingforwinter,21,95

extensiontoshower,15

fullydetachedshower,95

gardenhoses,77,103

householdsystem,16,82

materialoptions,23

overhead,41

polishedchrome,82

seasonal,77

semi-detachedshower,86

Seealsocopper;hotwater

poolsideshower,73,99

postandbeamframing,42

privacy,12,14,81

beadedcurtain,48

glassblock,60,61

indoorplants,98

lineofsight,81,83

partition,96

twodoors,84

propane,95,111

publicshower,73

punchlist,124

Q

qualityofmaterials,12

quarry,55,56

R

radiantheat,63

raincatchments,15,17

rammedearth,63,64

rebar,63,67

reclaimed/recycledmaterials,40,42–43,46,59

boards,enclosure,47

brick,60

glassblock,63

metal,64

stone,55

renovationcontractors,60

repressurization,21

rheostatdimmerswitch,34,37

rooftopcisterns,17

S

salvagedmaterials.Seereclaimed/recycledmaterials

SantaBarbara,California,100–101

screeningdevice,28

sealant,58,59

seasonaldraining,21

second-homeowners,18

second-storyshower,97

semi-detachedshower,86,87–89

septicsystem,25,26,86

sewagesystem,24

showerfloor

concrete,27,95

floortile,55

nonslippery,26,58

showerhead(s),32

ceramic,82

generous,84

height,30

ideallocation,128

multiple,88,128

pickle-shaped,114

pipe,10,70

water-saving,74

showerpan,26,81,86,95

shut-offvalves,21

slats,28

soakingtubandshower,99

soil,24,25,27,81

solarheaters,19–20

solarpanel,20,35

solarshower,104–5

Southwest,63

spigot,38

spotlights,34

steelrebar,63,67

steelsources,64

stone,50

basalt,52,92

bluestone,52,94

choices,52,54,56

fieldstone,28,52,89

granite,51,85

lantern,36,37

marble,52

pavers,51

quarry,55,56

seatstones,27

slabs,massive,76,85

slate,51,52,99

sources,55,56

storagetank.Seecistern

stuccoandplaster,38,64–65,67,79,99

T

temporaryshowers,102–15

Entomoshower,108,109

fixed-locationcampshower,105–8

gardenhosesfor,103

gravity-fed,102

propane-heated,106

solarshower,104–5

thatchedroof,90

tile

cement,59

ceramic,50,56,57,58

mosaic,57,59,100

porcelain,56

quarry,58

slate,50,99

terra-cotta,58

twokeygroups,55

trellis,88

tripod,110,111

tropicalenvironments,23

Tyvekpaper,80

U

ultravioletdegradation,37

underlayment,81

V

vaporbarrier,80

viewfromshower,14,81,129

W

walkway,91,94–95

considerations,128

lighting,35–37,95

materials,51,94

nonslippery,94

wallsandenclosures,28–29

warm-climateshowers,50

wastewater.Seegraywater

waterdrainage,100

drainagevalves,10

drywell,25,86,95

surfacerunoff,24

waterfall,15,101,113,137

waterpressure,21

waterproofing,79–81

watersupply,15,95

West,Jonathan,109

WhiteLotusRetreatCenter,The,100–101

winterization,15,21,27,95

wood,43

Alaskanyellowcedar,99

blacklocust,42,43,45

cypress,45

Douglasfir,13,42,46,50,94,121

grillwork,82,132

lattice,48

mahogany,50,82

marine-gradeplywood,80

non-splintering,26,94

planking,94

PortOrfordcedar,94

pressure-treated,48,80,84

shoppingtips,49

siding,80,81

Southernyellowpine,48–49

typestoavoid,49

westernredcedar,45,99

whitecedar,10,44,71,78

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