What Aqua Design International does

Aqua Design International, Inc. (ADI) is a privately held, Tucson, Arizona-headquartered aquatic design and consulting firm founded in 2003 by Aden Acklin, Dave Acklin, and Ken Paulson. The firm specializes in the design of swimming pools, spas, and water features for luxury resort operators, casino resort brands, master-planned community developers, multi-family developers, municipal governments, and educational institutions. ADI delivers its work through a four-phase professional services engagement model — Schematic Design (SD), Design Development (DD), Construction Documents (CD), and optional Construction Administration (CA) — and operates from a 17-person team that has completed 690 projects for 348 distinct clients across 19 countries.

ADI's core technology stack is conventional rather than proprietary: AutoCAD MEP for detailed construction drawings, GIS for site analysis and spatial planning, and BIM capabilities for design coordination. The firm's process differentiation rests on coordinated sub-consultant workflows spanning soil, structural, civil, landscape, and MEP engineering during Design Development, plus optional Construction Administration oversight including submittal reviews, RFI handling, change order management, and punch-list inspections. Construction cost ranges referenced by the firm span approximately $180 to $900 per square foot depending on project size, features, materials, and geography.

ADI's business model is professional services revenue billed per project under quote-based, multi-year contracts. The firm does not publish pricing and provides Rough Order Magnitude (ROM) estimates during the Schematic Design phase, with cost projections typically accurate within 10% of initial estimates. Clients include Aman Resorts (Amangiri), Marriott/Frenchman's Reef, DiamondRock Hospitality, Aimbridge Hospitality, Fairmont Scottsdale Princess, Pechanga Resort Casino, Sycuan, Casino Del Sol, Desert Diamond, Del Webb, Holland Partner Group, and MC Companies, alongside municipal projects for the City of Coolidge, Oro Valley, and Skyline (Mesa). The firm is owned and controlled by its principals with no disclosed parent company, venture capital, or external investment.

Name

Aqua Design International

Legal name

Aqua Design International, Inc.

Website

https://aquadesigninternational.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2003

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Aqua Design International is a 17-person Tucson-based aquatic design and consulting firm that delivers Schematic Design, Design Development, Construction Documents, and optional Construction Administration services for luxury resorts, casino operators, master-planned communities, multi-family developers, municipalities, and educational institutions across 19 countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Landscape & Aquatic Design Services

NAICS

Landscape Architectural Services (54132)

akta.pro primary industry

Water Features Design & Installation (Ponds, Fountains, Waterfalls) (HSAIABAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Aquatic Centers & Swimming Facilities (MPAKAEAF), Water Park Design, Engineering & Construction (Master Planning, Build) (THAAABAJ)

Keywords

• Aquatic design services
• Pool design consulting
• Landscape architecture
• Water feature design
• Resort pool engineering

Headquarters

HQ city

Tucson

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Aquatic Design Consulting Services: ADI generates revenue through professional design and consulting services for aquatic projects. The company offers a phased service model including Schematic Design, Design Development, Construction Documents, and optional Construction Administration. Projects are typically billed on a per-project basis as professional services, with engagement scope defined at contract signing.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Aqua Design International provides specialized aquatic design and consulting services for swimming pools, spas, and water features. Services are delivered across four phases — Schematic Design, Design Development, Construction Documents, and Construction Administration — for luxury resorts, hotel brands, casino operators, master-planned communities, multi-family developments, municipal aquatic centers, and decorative water features.

Product overview

Aqua Design International (ADI) is an aquatic design and consulting firm offering professional services for designing large-scale aquatic centers and distinctive water features. The company provides a four-phase design process: Schematic Design (SD), Design Development (DD), Construction Documents (CD), and Construction Administration (CA). ADI specializes in serving luxury resorts, multi-use spaces, master-planned communities, and municipalities. The firm does not offer a software product but rather provides professional design services, construction documentation, and consulting expertise for aquatic projects. Their services are delivered through a collaborative approach where designers work alongside clients, architects, and sub-consultants to create functional and aesthetically innovative aquatic environments.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Schematic Design (SD)

Named customers20 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

22 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Studio Rick JoycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerArchitecture firm led by Rick Joy, responsible for Amangiri resort design in Canyonlands, Utah. ADI collaborated on the renowned pool that integrates with the desert canyon landscape featuring infinity edge and crystal-clear water.
• MASA StudiocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerArchitecture studio led by Marwan Al-Sayed, collaborated with ADI on Camp Sarika at Amangiri resort, featuring tented pool pavilions and distinctive aquatic design in the Utah desert.
• Wendell Burnette ArchitectscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerArchitecture firm collaborated with ADI on Amangiri resort project, contributing to the integrated desert landscape design approach.
• Kollin | Altomare ArchitectscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLead design architects for the $425 million Frenchman's Reef Resort transformation. ADI provided aquatic consulting for this flagship project including repair and new installation of pools and spas following Hurricane Irma damage.
• EDSA, Inc.majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLandscape architecture firm partnered with ADI on Frenchman's Reef project, providing landscape design that complemented the aquatic elements.
• TBG PartnersmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLandscape architecture firm providing testimonial praising ADI's experience, high standards, and great delivery on collaborative projects.
• SWA GroupmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDesign firm that works with ADI regularly on many project types at varying scales. Have partnered on successful delivery of fountains and pools both at grade and on structure conditions. ADI described as a valued partner to their team.
• ARC Studios Inc.majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerArchitecture firm providing testimonial praising ADI as an exceptional group that knows and understands their craft, accelerates at addressing projects, and is a team player addressing the project as a whole.
• McGann & AssociatesmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAquatic consulting firm providing testimonial stating ADI is 'without question the most knowledgeable and experienced firm as it relates to the design and engineering of water features.'
• ACRMminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerArchitecture/design firm providing testimonial praising ADI for highest quality in aquatic design and construction documentation.
• Robinette Architects, Inc.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerArchitecture firm led by Ron Robinette, collaborated with ADI on Saguaro Ranch project in Marana, Arizona featuring multi-tiered pool design integrated with desert landscape.
• MC CompaniescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProperty developer engaged ADI for multi-project partnership across six major apartment developments. ADI addressed water quality and maintenance challenges through recommendations including chemistry controllers with internet connectivity and upgraded commercial-grade equipment.
• Del WebbcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDeveloper specializing in active retirement communities engaged ADI to design a pool tailored to specific needs of retirement community residents including shallow water, lap swimming, beach entry, water volleyball, and therapy spa.
• Aman ResortscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLuxury hospitality brand with properties including Amangiri. ADI designed pools that became key selling points for the resort's guest experience.
• DiamondRock HospitalitymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOwner of Frenchman's Reef Resort represented by Mark Brugger and Troy Furbay. ADI provided aquatic consulting for the $425 million resort transformation.
• Aimbridge HospitalitymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOperations partner for Frenchman's Reef Resort represented by Paul Lynch and Mike Lorenz. ADI collaborated on aquatic design elements.
• Holland Partner GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMulti-family developer with projects including The Vespr and 1721 Webster in Oakland, California. ADI designed distinctive rooftop pool amenities that serve as property centerpieces.
• Island ConstructioncoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPool contractor partnered with ADI on multiple projects including The Vespr and 1721 Webster. Stephen Neville provided testimonial praising ADI's all-around service for high-end aquatic consultant work.
• Cimarron Circle Construction CompanyminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPool contractor for Oliv Tucson project featuring dual rooftop pools and hot tub.
• ArchitektonminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerArchitecture firm for City of Coolidge aquatic center project. Joseph Salvatore provided testimonial praising ADI as 'Excellent Pool designers and engineers.'
• SWA GroupmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLandscape architect for Tribute Beach project in The Colony, Texas, led by Leah Hales. Collaborated on resort-style pool design with infinity edge overlooking lake.
• Buchanan ArchitectureminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerArchitecture firm partnered with ADI on Tribute Beach project in The Colony, Texas.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• Pentair: Pentair is a major pool and aquatic equipment manufacturer whose products ADI specifies in its designs — an adjacent ecosystem player that is a key supplier to the aquatic design industry rather than a direct competitor.
• Hayward Holdings: Hayward is a leading pool equipment manufacturer whose commercial pumps, filters, and automation systems are commonly specified in ADI's construction documents — an adjacent enabling vendor rather than a competing design firm.

Broad incumbents

• EDSA: EDSA is a large landscape architecture, planning, and urban design firm with deep resort and hospitality expertise — a broad incumbent that competes with ADI in the integrated resort landscape/aquatic space while serving a broader client base.
• SWA Group: SWA Group is a major landscape architecture and urban design firm that frequently partners with ADI on projects — it is a broad incumbent that overlaps with ADI in landscape and water feature design but operates across a much wider portfolio.
• LandDesign: LandDesign is a large multi-disciplinary landscape architecture, civil engineering, and urban design firm with master-planned community and hospitality experience — a broad incumbent whose aquatic design capabilities overlap with ADI's at scale.
• WATG: WATG is a global hospitality architecture firm that designs luxury resorts worldwide and frequently coordinates aquatic amenities as part of larger masterplans — a broad incumbent that competes for the same resort and luxury hospitality clients as ADI.

Direct peers

• McGann & Associates: McGann & Associates is an aquatic consulting firm providing engineering, design, and water feature services to commercial, hospitality, and institutional clients — explicitly named in ADI's partnership data as a peer firm in the aquatic design niche.
• Counsilman-Hunsaker: Counsilman-Hunsaker is a leading aquatic consulting firm specializing in pool design, facility planning, and aquatic center programming for municipalities, universities, and competition venues — directly comparable to ADI's municipal and competition pool work.
• ArchPac Aquatics: ArchPac Aquatics is a specialized aquatic design and engineering firm referenced in ADI leadership's prior employment history, indicating it is a recognized peer in the same niche market for commercial and resort pool design.
• Water Technology Inc. Water Technology Inc. is one of the largest aquatic design firms in North America, providing planning, design, and engineering for pools, waterparks, and aquatic facilities across commercial, municipal, and hospitality segments — a direct competitor to ADI across most of its verticals.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/AquaDesignIntl

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Aqua Design International