Discovery Press Web United States

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(Silver Spring, Md.) – This June, Animal Planet dips into new territory while getting its feet wet – literally – by bringing fans of TREEHOUSE MASTERS a new summer treat, THE POOL MASTER. Hosted by the irresistibly charming British swimming-pool designer Anthony Archer-Wills, THE POOL MASTER brings alive the natural wonders of our backyards with jaw-dropping, unique pools that emulate the beauty of nature.

Beginning Friday, June 20, at 9 PM ET/PT, Anthony and his two right-hand men, lead contractor Dave Duensing and excavator Ed Kading, envision extraordinary swimming holes that look nature made. In each episode, they determine just how to design and execute a pool that reflects the personalities of the clients who will swim in it. And no matter where they build – on a rocky slope, in an arid desert or on the edge of a cliff – the trio creates a spectacular, lush oasis where nothing existed before.

Anthony is “The Peter O’Toole of Pools” – a renaissance man whose unfaltering enthusiasm and respect for nature is perhaps only rivaled by his love for a cooling gin and tonic, afternoon tea, scones and clotted cream. He pushes the boundaries with each build. His team teasingly calls this, “The Anthony Factor”: when he’s persistent about enlarging the design; using more rock; digging greater, deeper holes; and changing the locations of streams – all after the budget’s been set. He also is respectful of all plant and animal life and is doggedly determined to save every tree, flower and grasshopper that ends up in his construction crosshairs.  

“I’ve always been passionate about designing pools that look as if they are formed by the hand of nature,” says Anthony. “These types of natural swimming pools support the environment, provide homes to beds of aquatic plants and foster elements of mystery, which, therefore, enhance the whole swimming experience.”

With every project, Anthony’s process begins by having a quiet moment to himself, drinking in the surroundings and sketching. Then, running around the property with boyish glee to bring his ideas to life, he illustrates his plans. Once the client signs off, the adventure begins.

This season, THE POOL MASTER trio heads to Kentucky to meet a couple who owns an adventure-themed resort. The couple commissions Anthony to build a pool that reflects their adventurous lifestyle; Anthony’s design boasts an area for rock climbing and a zip-line splash. Then, turning a wine lover’s dream pool into a reality with cascading waterfalls, iron grapevines, lava rocks and a swim-up bar overlooking wine country, the team delivers the ultimate swimming experience in Sonoma, California. Finally, the team travels to Ojai, California to create an edible garden backyard oasis for a family who owns an organic restaurant.

THE POOL MASTER is produced for Animal Planet by Punch Drunk and Original Media with Rob Hill and Daniel Laikind as executive producers. Executive producer for Animal Planet is Lisa Lucas, and Patrick Keegan is producer. Kurt Tondorf is vice President of development for Animal Planet.

About Animal Planet:

Animal Planet, a multi-media business unit of Discovery Communications, is the world's only entertainment brand that immerses viewers in the full range of life in the animal kingdom with rich, deep content via multiple platforms and offers animal lovers and pet owners access to a centralized online, television and mobile community for immersive, engaging, high-quality entertainment, information and enrichment. Animal Planet consists of the Animal Planet television network, available in more than 95 million homes in the US; online assets www.animalplanet.com, the ultimate online destination for all things animal; Animal Planet L!VE, the go-to digital destination for round-the-clock, unfiltered access to the animal kingdom; and other media platforms including a robust Video-on-Demand (VOD) service, and merchandising extensions.

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