Anthony Philbrick, a Wits-qualified architect, launched his career in 1995 with his architectural practice, The Cool Factory. Operating from a converted cooling tower in Johannesburg, he led projects that shaped the city’s landscape, including inner-city developments like the Hillbrow Traders Market and Commissioner Street upgrades. His practice also designed galleries, restaurants, clubs, and private homes, blending creativity with functionality.

In 2006, Anthony realised it was time to stop clearing sites of natural vegetation for human habitation, and instead return urban areas to nature. His passion for sustainable design inspired him to build his first natural pool, which led to the founding of wetlandPOOLS. Since then, the company has completed over 400 natural pool installations across South Africa. wetlandPOOLS also operates an indigenous wetland plant nursery dedicated to restoring nature within residential and commercial settings.

Expanding its scope, wetlandPOOLS now maintains aquaria and specializes in parallel water purification systems, including reverse osmosis and ozone sterilization, leveraging natural wetland expertise for advanced water solutions across Southern Africa.