About Us
The sound of cascading water as it flows over sculpted rocks and trickles down to the pools below. Hidden grottos, an inviting private beach, luxurious whirlpools. It’s the special paradise you’ve always dreamed of.
IMAGINE YOURSELF IN A BEAUTIFUL OUTDOOR OASIS
It’s your vision, your dream space.
Now imagine this in your own backyard, or as the centerpiece of your commercial space.
You don’t need to wait for Mother Nature to create it. We can build it for you. We specialize in recreating the look of natural rock through man-made materials that are far more durable and so realistic that only an expert would know the difference between what nature intended and the outdoor fantasies we create.
Who We Are
We’re artisans who mold and sculpt concrete rockwork, to create exceptional, one-of-a-kind outdoor environments, from custom pools, hot tubs and whirlpools, to waterfalls, water features and retaining walls. We even create specialized custom environments for animal habitats and enclosures.
Our talented master carver, Mark MacIsaac, is one of the premiere artists of the Pacific Northwest. Through a lifetime of study, he has learned how to recreate the beauty of nature and has been commissioned to make some of the Lower Mainland’s most unique and stunning spaces.
What We Do
Can you believe that we take a durable material such as concrete and hand-sculpt it to make it appear like natural rock?
We can also make modern, architectural pools, artistic retaining walls, firepits, patio spaces and concrete water features in any style you can imagine, using realistic concrete sculpting.
And Mark comes with a team of highly skilled artisans who can help you create anything you dare to dream. Our reputation comes from creating high-quality, elaborate outdoor spaces that fulfill people’s wishes for something unique. There is nothing we can’t bring to life.
We’re not only the builders of dream spaces, we can also help with the design and planning. We even make spectacular scale models to show you the possibilities of your outdoor space.
With our guidance and special skills we can design a holistic, inviting outdoor experience, livable art, that will be the centerpiece of your private backyard or commercial venue.
Our History
The Raincity team comes with over 25 years of experience in both commercial and residential projects, across the Lower Mainland.
Before he became a renowned concrete artist, Mark was already enthralled by the natural forms and shapes of nature. He was inspired to bring those beautiful organic design elements into his work as a concrete sculptor. That’s when he began to study the intricate and amazing possibilities of the right textures, finishes and paints that could elevate concrete into something magical – livable art.
In 2005, he created Raincity Aquatic Designs, a company that specializes in concrete art and sculpting. It quickly became the industry leader in rockwork, known throughout all of Canada for crafting the most exceptional pieces that people often mistake for natural rock formations.
Over the years, Mark honed his skills, learning how to achieve what Mother Nature could not – dazzling, distinctive outdoor environments, so perfectly designed, that they could never be found in nature. And those pieces became the stunning accents of people’s backyards and patios, or the talking-pieces of commercial spaces.
Word spread of the quality, durability and craftsmanship that Mark and his team poured into every project and led to many memorable creations, such as the 2019 Georgie Award winning Paradise Estates in West Kelowna, the Ocean Discovery Center on Vancouver Island, the habitat at YVR’s West Coast Exhibit and the famous penguin enclosure at the Vancouver Aquarium.
In 2006, co-owner Dennis Coueffin joined the team, bringing with him almost 30 years of experience. Specializing in clean-looking architectural pools and spas, his modern esthetic added an extra dimension of versatility which made Raincity one of BC’s most versatile pool builders.
Why Choose Sculpted Rock?
Nature has given us some amazing examples of natural rock formations. But rarely do you find the perfect natural configuration to match your unique space, pool or exhibit. To imitate a “natural” look, stone can be quarried, transported and arranged. However, the process is often difficult, time-consuming and expensive and the finished product is not always esthetically pleasing and can seem contrived.
If you are fortunate and already have an existing natural rock formation in your space, you could choose to design your pool, patio or exhibit around it, but then you are limited in your design options and you may have to sacrifice the look you want in order to work with what you have.
Sculpted rock, on the other hand, can provide you with endless options. Man-made installations can be designed and shaped to your specifications, to the exact dimensions that fit your backyard, patio or any specialized environment.
Our carefully formulated concrete is as durable as real rockwork and in the hands of our Master Carver becomes as realistic as natural rock. With our specialized techniques and hand-painted finishes, we can mimic any effect, texture, weathering, and small imperfections that make it appear as nature intended it to be.
With sculpted rock, the only limit is your imagination. It’s nature by design and a beautiful investment in your space – an attraction that will inspire wonder and amazement in your guests.
The Raincity Difference
With so many options, you may wonder, why choose Raincity?
We offer elegant creations from design to finished product.
We are Master Carvers, who look at any project with an artist’s eye for beauty, quality and design. Just look at our gallery of exquisitely detailed scale models, which we can create to show clients what the completed project will look like. The same artistry and eye for detail goes into every client project.
We have a solid reputation as masters of sculpted rock.
With over 25 years of experience crafting the most convincing realistic rockwork for both large-scale commercial projects and high-end residential spaces, you can rely on us to create the oasis you’ve always dreamed about. We come with the skills and expertise that will guarantee that your installation comes out exactly as you envisioned.
We are versatile.
Our work is versatile and can be used in many applications; from elegant water features or high-end pools that elevate your home, to inviting spaces where you can enjoy time together with the family. We have experience in every facet of pool design, rock wall design, rock sculpting and implementation, from commercial spaces to the quiet places in your own backyard.
We only design and build the highest quality pools and sculpted rockwork.
Our team has the unique history of starting from a structural concrete and commercial building background. That means we know how to craft sculpted rock that is not only dazzling, but also durable, strong and structurally sound. We offer the same permanence as real rock, but with the ability to design it in many different styles, and in any way you dare to dream.
We believe in a collaborative building process.
It’s not about our vision. It’s your vision we want to build. Think of us as the team of artisans who will provide guidance, ideas and advice, but won’t dictate the design. We want you to view this an an experience, where a personalized approach allows you to feel intimately involved in your own project. With straight-forward quotes, fair pricing and open communication throughout the design and building process, we will go the extra mile to ensure that your project is stunning, strong and hassle-free.
Our Team of Master Craftsmen and Sculptors
Creative Director: Mark MacIsaac
“I continue to be inspired by nature and love bringing new creations to life!”
Born in Vancouver, Mark MacIsaac grew up as the oldest of four siblings and showed a wide variety of interests including travel, sports and music. But it was his love of beaches that led him to explore the world after graduating high school. Ranging as far as Central America, Southeast Asia and Southern Europe, Mark was always fascinated by the inspiring forms of rock, water and sand and the beautiful complexity of natural formations.
Mark decided that his true passion lay in an artistic direction, and when the opportunity came to work with master concrete sculptor Peter Heiss, the creative director at Arcon Rock and Waterscapes, he jumped at the chance to study under such a skilled artisan. In 1996, he joined the company and his years of artistic study and careful observation began.
Under Peter’s guidance, Mark blossomed as a sculptor, painter and designer. He learned the various detailed techniques that led him to become one of the most sought-after concrete artisans in the Greater Vancouver area. Over the next several years, Peter and Mark collaborated on hundreds of projects including the Spa at Tigh-ne-Mara Resort, the Pacific Exhibit at the Vancouver Aquarium and the West Coast Exhibit at the Vancouver International Airport.
But Mark felt drawn to start a business of his own, and in 2005, under the guidance of his former tutor, Peter Heiss, he founded Raincity Aquatic Designs. In 2017, he partnered with Dennis Coueffin, whose specialty is modern architectural pool design. Together, they continue to build beautiful, awe-inspiring installations that have brought joy and delight to all their clients.
Co-Owner: Dennis Coueffin
“With an eye for modern architecture, we strive to create modern pools leaving no questions on execution, function or design’’
Dennis brings his own talents and expertise to the Raincity team. He began his journey in this field over 30 years ago, shortly after graduating high school. Over the years, Dennis has worked at every level of the design and building process, from pricing and quotes, to shotcrete nozzleman, concrete finisher and rockwork artist. And he has such a vast working knowledge of the industry that he quickly became a team leader on various high-profile projects across the Lower Mainland, including the River Rock Casino and Penguin Point at the Vancouver Aquarium.
With his solid leadership and keen eye for crisp, modern, architectural design, he brings a versatility to Raincity that allows for a wide interpretation of styles. And he always keeps ahead of the curve, to ensure that he is at the forefront of the latest designs and pool innovations.
Dennis’ extensive experience has made him an invaluable member of the Raincity team and the perfect designer to entrust with even your most complex and intricate projects.
Our Testimonials
We were looking for custom landscaping and pool design for our home in Anmore. We had a very specific vision for what we wanted, and though we had several pool construction companies provide quotes, the only company that promised to deliver our vision, at a budget that we could work with, was Raincity.
Our project manager, Dennis, was able to prepare a comprehensive construction plan and budget. Even though we added several changes and upgrades during the project, Dennis was very transparent and forthcoming when discussing all changes and Raincity has been very fair and accommodating with our requests. Even when our property posed many challenges, including limited access to the construction site due to the location of the existing structures and a steep slope.Throughout the construction, Raincity needed to be very creative and also very organized with the planning and sequence of construction. I have been extremely impressed with this company’s ability to foresee potential complications and overcome them elegantly and efficiently. The entire Raincity crew is extremely skilled and courteous and has been very professional throughout the project. Their commitment to detail and perfection has been above and beyond what I would expect, and I have a background in engineering and construction, which means I have a lot of experience in this area.
I don’t think you could find a company more committed to delivering the best product possible. They have now installed a custom shape pool with a vanishing edge, a vanishing edge trough, a hot tub spa, several retaining walls, an underground mechanical room, and several sculpted rock landscape features; and our family and friends are extremely impressed with the quality and artistic creativity of the project. I doubt that any other company would have been able to deliver this complicated and creative a project, especially with such a focus on customer service and positive interactions with their client.
~ Mike Morgan
Do you also have a vision for your yard that needs an artist’s touch?
Our custom rockwork and pool design experts can help you bring your dream to life. Contact us for more information about our products at 604-427-3301 or complete our online form.