Pixel by Wow Design is a new porcelain format that reinterprets the language of mosaic through a precisely engraved grid, combining material continuity with visual richness.

Available in the Sukabumi, Marble, Sabil, and Vestige collections, Pixel demonstrates how a single geometry can transform the expression of different material concepts.

Designed for swimming pools, spas, and wellness interiors, Pixel transforms the interaction between water, light, and ceramics into surfaces of remarkable visual depth.

Pixel is born from the interaction between water, light, and ceramics. Designed for swimming pools, spas, and wellness interiors. The new format by WOW Design transforms reflections, texture, and colour into an experience defined by serenity and wellbeing.

Pixel introduces a new interpretation of the ceramic surface through a precisely engraved grid that transforms the perception of the material. Available across a selection of WOW Design collections, the new format combines the continuity of a 15×15 cm porcelain tile with the visual language of mosaic.

Although each tile is presented as a continuous surface, the engraved geometry creates small tesserae of approximately 3.5 x 3.5 cm, generating a new interaction between texture, light and colour.

The continuity of a tile. The visual richness of a mosaic.

Pixel’s precisely engraved grid brings a new dimension to the ceramic surface. In aquatic environments, the reflections and movement of water intensify this effect, enriching chromatic nuances and creating a richer perception of the material.

Designed for swimming pools, spas, wellness interiors, and other wet areas, Pixel responds to a growing demand for surfaces capable of bringing texture and visual richness to spaces shaped by water.

One format, multiple expressions.

Pixel is available in the Sukabumi, Marble, Sabil, and Vestige collections, preserving the identity of each while transforming its visual expression.

Inspired by the natural stone traditionally used in aquatic environments, Sukabumi finds a new chromatic intensity through Pixel, amplifying the vibrancy of its green tones and the movement of its reflections beneath the water. Marble translates the timeless elegance of marble into a more dynamic scale, where veins and mineral nuances acquire a renewed reading through the engraved grid.

In Sabil, the richness of the glazes and tonal variations takes centre stage, creating surfaces full of movement and nuance. Meanwhile, Vestige finds in Pixel a way to reinforce the expressive character of its textures inspired by the passage of time, enhancing both visual depth and the tactile quality of the material.

Scuppers have evolved far beyond their original purpose.

Once viewed primarily as simple water outlets or decorative spillways, they’ve become one of the most versatile design elements in modern pool construction. Today’s scuppers shape not only how a backyard looks, but how it sounds, flows, and feels. Designers are using them to create architectural rhythm, soften noisy environments, divide spaces, introduce movement, and completely transform the atmosphere of an outdoor living environment.

That shift was the focus of a recent Pool Magazine Podcast discussion with AquaBlu Mosaics’ Frank Vitori and The Outdoor Plus National Director of Sales Chuck Nitschke, who explored how scuppers are being used in today’s modern high-end pool projects — and what designers often get wrong when it comes to their use.

The Rise of Architectural Water Features

According to Vitori, modern pool design is becoming increasingly minimalist and intentional, with builders gravitating toward water features that reinforce strong geometric layouts and contemporary architecture.

“We’re seeing designers moving toward clean architectural lines and looking for accent pieces that really support that,” said Vitori.

That trend has fueled the rise of sheer descent-style scuppers and flush-mounted spillways designed to create uninterrupted sheets of flowing water. Rather than showcasing the hardware itself, the goal is often to make the water appear as though it’s emerging seamlessly from the wall.

“It creates a dramatic look of a long linear sheet of water flowing out of the wall into the pool,” Vitori explained.

The effect is sleek, modern, and highly architectural — but it’s also unforgiving when executed poorly.

What Designers Are Getting Wrong

Designers often underestimate the technical precision required to make scuppers perform correctly. Many installations fail not because of the product itself, but because of mistakes in planning, plumbing, placement, or execution.

Chuck Nitschke explained that sheer-style scuppers leave very little margin for error.

“If the water flow isn’t perfectly even or the unit isn’t designed right internally, you’re going to see breaks in that sheet, turbulence, or inconsistent flow,” said Nitschke. “That completely takes away from the aesthetic.”

Poor flow management is one of the most common issues. Underfeeding a scupper creates broken streams instead of a smooth sheet. Restrictive plumbing layouts, hard elbows, or poor water delivery can introduce turbulence before the water even reaches the feature.

Leveling issues are another major culprit.

“These features are not very forgiving,” said Nitschke. “If the scupper is even slightly out of level, the water is going to favor one side.”

That imbalance immediately disrupts the symmetry designers are trying to achieve.

Vitori agreed that even builders often overlook how sensitive these features are to installation details.

“The whole appeal to these sheer descents is that clean, undisturbed sheet of flowing water,” he said.

Another mistake discussed by both pros was overuse.

Scuppers can dramatically elevate a project, but too many competing water features can clutter a design instead of enhancing it. The most successful projects tend to use scuppers intentionally — integrating them into the architecture rather than scattering them throughout the space simply because they’re available.

Material mismatch also came up as a frequent design issue.

A modern stainless steel spillway may look out of place on a rustic Mediterranean build. Likewise, heavily ornamental copper scuppers may conflict with minimalist contemporary architecture. The key, according to both experts, is understanding the story the space is trying to tell and selecting a water feature that supports that aesthetic.

Rainfall Scuppers and the Rise of Immersive Design

At the same time, designers are getting far more creative with how scuppers are being used.

One of the fastest-growing trends in modern pool design has been the rise of overhead rainfall scuppers — systems that create vertical curtains of water rather than horizontal spillways.

“We’re seeing an increase in overhead installations,” said Vitori.

Unlike sheer descents, rainfall scuppers introduce texture and movement into a space. Instead of creating a sharp architectural line, they soften the environment and create a more immersive atmosphere.

What makes these features particularly interesting is how designers are using them to divide and shape outdoor living spaces.

“One of the great things we’re seeing with rainfall scuppers is the ability to create division of a space, but in a way that is aesthetically pleasing,” said Vitori.

Rather than installing physical walls or barriers, builders are using rainfall curtains to create subtle visual separation between swim areas, lounge spaces, outdoor kitchens, and entertainment zones. Because the falling water remains semi-transparent, the space still feels open while gaining definition and structure.

The effect has become especially popular in luxury backyard projects where homeowners want multiple functional “zones” without making the yard feel compartmentalized.

Using Water to Create Ambience

Rainfall scuppers also bring another important element into play: sound.

“That rainfall effect gives you more sound as it’s hitting the water, which is great for masking noise,” Nitschke explained.

In urban environments or properties near roads, designers are intentionally using rainfall features to drown out traffic and neighborhood noise. In quieter settings, the same effect creates a more spa-like atmosphere.

“You can absolutely use that same feature to create more of a relaxing, immersive space,” Nitschke added.

That idea of creating “experiences” rather than simply building pools came up repeatedly throughout the conversation.

For years, water features were often treated as standalone add-ons. A raised wall here. A spillway there. But today’s builders are increasingly thinking in layers — using multiple water elements together to shape the emotional tone of a backyard.

“A lot of builders are getting really creative,” said Nitschke. “They’ll combine that sheer descent for the architectural look and then use that rainfall scupper to soften it and add a little contrast.”

That layering effect has become one of the defining characteristics of high-end outdoor design. Builders are mixing clean linear spillways with textured rainfall effects, integrating fire elements alongside water features, and using combinations of sound, light, and movement to create more immersive environments.

Layering Elements Together

Part of the reason scuppers have become such an important design tool in modern outdoor living spaces is that they don’t just add water movement, but help to orchestrate the entire environment, and increasingly, builders are using them to guide how homeowners interact with the space itself.

Long linear scuppers can visually anchor a feature wall. Repeating smaller scuppers across a structure creates rhythm and cadence. Overhead rainfall effects can direct traffic flow or subtly signal transitions between one section of the yard and another.

“We’re definitely seeing builders combine multiple units to build rhythm across a wall,” said Nitschke. “Instead of it just being one long continuous run.”

That approach reflects a much more architectural mindset than what the industry traditionally associated with water features.

Scuppers are no longer simply decorative accessories. They’re being used compositionally — almost like lighting, hardscape materials, or structural elements.

Customization Is Changing the Category

Undeniably, customization has become increasingly important. Rather than forcing designers to build around fixed product dimensions, manufacturers are seeing more demand for custom widths, oversized installations, and specialty finishes that align with the overall aesthetic of the project.

“At The Outdoor Plus, we can custom build that in-house,” said Nitschke. “If you want to go 20 feet long, we can do that.”

That flexibility allows designers to think beyond standard applications.

On large commercial projects, oversized scuppers can become massive architectural focal points. In residential environments, custom sizing allows designers to maintain symmetry and scale across feature walls, outdoor kitchens, or perimeter structures.

Ornamental Scuppers Are Making a Comeback

But even with all the innovation happening in contemporary design, ornamental scuppers continue to maintain a strong presence.

In fact, Vitori believes decorative scuppers are making a comeback precisely because many homeowners want water features that intentionally stand out.

“Scuppers were meant to be visual,” said Vitori. Traditional cannon scuppers, radius spillways, V-shaped designs, and sculptural bowl scuppers are increasingly being used as statement pieces rather than hidden design accents. And unlike sheer descents, which are often designed to disappear into the architecture, ornamental scuppers embrace visibility.

Copper cannon scuppers projecting from a textured wall create a completely different emotional tone than a flush-mounted stainless spillway. One leans old-world and dramatic. The other feels sleek and contemporary.

Popular Scupper Styles This Pool Season

According to Nitschke, builders are selecting these styles based less on technical specs and more on the personality of the space.

“The cannon style scupper tends to lean a little bit more toward traditional or Mediterranean styles,” he explained. “The V-shapes are much more contemporary and geometric.”

Some of the more sculptural designs blur the line between water feature and artwork entirely.

One standout this season is the Maya Scupper — a wall-mounted bowl-style feature that Vitori described as looking “almost like a floating sconce.”

Nitschke explained that products like the Maya are becoming popular because they remain visually compelling even when the water is turned off.

“They’re not just mounted — they’re displayed,” he said.

More Than Just a Finishing Touch

That statement may best summarize where the category is headed overall. Today’s scuppers are increasingly architectural, experiential, and artistic all at once.

Builders are no longer simply selecting spillways. They’re choosing sound profiles, water textures, finishes, placement strategies, and visual rhythms that shape how an entire backyard functions.

And when done right, scuppers stop feeling like accessories and start feeling like part of the architecture itself — adding movement, sound, depth, and personality to a backyard in ways homeowners immediately feel the moment they step outside.

Ready to take a deeper dive?

Listen to our entire discussion about scuppers with Frank Vitori and Chuck Nitschke on the Pool Magazine Podcast.

Photos Courtesy: The Outdoor Plus

Renovation has emerged as the most dependable growth channel in the swimming pool sector. While new construction cycles fluctuate with economic conditions, the installed base of aging pools continues to represent a stable and scalable revenue stream. Homeowners are choosing to reinvest in existing backyards, upgrading aesthetics, replacing aging equipment, and improving energy efficiency. But beyond visible improvements, many clients are asking a new set of questions: Can I control it from my phone? Can it alert me if something goes wrong? Can it run more efficiently? Those questions are opening the door to automation as a natural extension of renovation — not as a complex luxury system, but as a practical, revenue-generating upgrade.

For forward-thinking pool professionals, integrating automation into renovation projects is no longer a luxury add-on — it is a strategic modernization tool that increases project value, improves operational efficiency, and strengthens long-term client retention. As smart-home technology becomes standard indoors, automation is rapidly becoming the next expectation outdoors.

The Automation Shift: Meeting Evolving Homeowner Expectations

Renovation projects present more than an opportunity to refresh a pool’s appearance — they provide a strategic moment to modernize how the entire system operates. With millions of existing pools built before smart controls became mainstream, there is significant untapped potential sitting on equipment pads across the country. Homeowners already manage thermostats, lighting, and security systems from their smartphones; naturally, they are beginning to expect the same level of control over their pools and spas. For pool professionals, that shift in expectation creates a clear opening to introduce automation as part of a comprehensive renovation strategy.

John MacDonald, owner of Your Pool Guy Inc in Doylestown, Pennsylvania says his customers routinely ask him about automation for their pools. “Most customers start the automation discussion by asking if there is a way to control their pool water temperature remotely. Then they ask me if there is an app for that.” MacDonald says his clients are mostly interested in controlling their heaters, their pool lights and their water chemistry.

The smart phone has driven the consumer’s desire to control all the elements of their home from anywhere, all in the palm of their hand. Exterior landscape lights, pool lights, hot tub and pool temperatures, and control over pool and hot tub water chemistry, all manageable through their mobile devices. “I’m a pool service professional but I know that to ensure my client’s satisfaction with their pool and outdoor living space, providing them with simple automation will help ensure my clients are happy because they have a trouble-free, easy to maintain pool,” explains MacDonald. “Automation simplifies the maintenance of the homeowner’s backyard so pool owners can make sure the pool is put to bed right before they fall asleep, without having to go outdoors to check.”

Keep It Simple: Pool Owners Prefer Streamlined Automation

Simpler automation systems like the Tild pool automation system, tend to be very effective for most customers. Intuitive, easy-to-operate systems are key to keeping customers happy. These systems offer enough features to satisfy the homeowner’s needs while remaining simple enough to avoid requiring technical support after installation. MacDonald says that the simpler automation systems are the most effective for the majority of his customers. “The simple automation systems that are intuitive to operate seem to really make customers happy,” explains MacDonald. “They just need to have enough of what the homeowner wants but also simple and intuitive enough that they don’t need any technical help after the installation.”

Control system interfaces have also become more user-friendly, even as their capabilities expand. For example, the Tild pool automation system comes equipped with the Vigipool app, that can be easily downloaded to the client’s smart phone. Consumers are comfortable with apps on their phone, whether it’s their home security system, lighting or streaming services. In fact, consumers are excited to use an app on their phone to control the temperature, lights and water chemistry of their pool.

Automation Pays for Itself

Automation simplifies chores associated with pool and hot tub ownership and brings cost-saving benefits. Timers for outdoor and pool lights help reduce electricity costs, as does regulating pool and spa water temperatures. Automated pool and hot tub water chemistry dosing and control, like the Oxeo ORP and Phileo pH feeders, prevent overdosing or imbalance, minimizing the need for excessive chemical use and reducing overall expenses. Maintaining balanced pool water chemistry is especially critical for plaster pools, as unbalanced chemistry can lead to costly repairs. Additionally, having a compact, user-friendly pH controller with app-based notifications like the Phileo pH is ideal solution for clients with pH imbalances caused by salt chlorine generators. Improper pH levels lead to scale build-up on the salt cell assembly, which can cause the chlorine generator to shut off.

“Many of my clients have salt chlorine generators and are regularly confronted with their salt-system shutting down as a result of pH problem in their pool water,” explains MacDonald. “One of the most frequent calls I receive is from clients reporting that their salt chlorine generator isn’t working. They don’t realize that they haven’t taken the time to maintain the proper pH levels in the pool water and we all know this leads to scale build up on the salt cell assembly which shuts off the chlorine generator.”

MacDonald likes to recommend and install a pH automation controller that measures and doses the pool water to maintain the proper pH level. “I can’t be at the pool every day ensuring the pH is in the right range, so I like to recommend CCEI’s Phileo pH controller because it’s so compact and easy to use,” says MacDonald. “It’s just a little box about 3” x 4” in size so it fits on any equipment pad and it comes with the app so clients are notified if the water goes out of range so they can go add acid in to the container or similar. It offers the chemical automation that most customers need and want.”

Pool professionals agree that automation systems can help avoid the problems that can quickly increase the operating costs of a pool. Automation doesn’t take away work from service professionals as there are still always tasks to complete. But automation systems like the chemical controllers and feeders help between service calls to ensure all systems are operating correctly.

Automation systems also offer valuable data. Service professionals can identify issues such as an imbalance in pH or if a light is not working. Being able to discuss issues with customers, rather than a generic inquiry such as “How is everything in your backyard?” provides a significant competitive advantage for service companies.

Many pool professionals agree that offering and installing simple automation systems helps modernize the pool for customer but more importantly helps them stand out from their competitors which can be a real game changer for many independent pool and spa professionals. “In addition to modernizing the pool, automation creates customer loyalty for our business, as clients are empowered and truly feel they have a better, more modern pool if they can control it from an app on their phone,” says MacDonald.

A Competitive Edge That Keeps Clients Coming Back

Offering and installing simple automation systems like the Tild pool automation system helps modernize pools for customers while differentiating their businesses from competitors. Adding simple automation to renovation projects is one of the easiest ways to increase project value, differentiate from competitors, and deliver the modern convenience clients already expect inside their homes. Automation is a game-changer that fosters customer loyalty by providing a more modern pool experience.

Offering pool automation boosts customer satisfaction and excitement about their backyard investment. These systems simplify pool maintenance and make operating other components easier, even remotely. Now is the perfect time for pool professionals to start offering simple backyard and pool automation as a way to renovate pools that need an update. Beyond liners, decking, and lighting upgrades, integrating simple automation systems gives pool professionals a powerful way to modernize and renovate older pools, increase profits, and deliver the smart-home functionality today’s homeowners expect.