When he began Authentic Environments in 1994, Richard L. Winget was doing simple rock work and small water features around swimming pools in residential backyards.

In more than a decade, however, the magnitude of his jobs has changed. Projects have grown and become more complex, often taking on the look of theme parks that homeowners can use as entertainment centers and their children can use for stay-at-home fun.

Authentic Environments replicates and creates imitation worlds of nature, including structures that have been built, carved and painted to simulate the look of antiquity, even in decay.

"It used to be that people wanted a nice swimming pool with trees and plants so it would look pretty during the summer," says Winget, whose company is based in Huntington Beach, CA, south of Los Angeles. "Now, people want to bring theme parks into their backyards. They want full-blown entertainment complexes. It has become an extension of the home into their backyards."

Homeowners can spend anywhere from $30,000 to $75,000 for a project.

"I can walk into somebody's backyard and give them a ballpark estimate of $50,000, and they won't even bat an eye," Winget says. "All they want to know is when we can start the project. They want it up by summer."

Designed for the family

Authentic Environments, which markets itself entirely on the Internet (there is no physical showroom), mainly builds its designs in Orange County. The company has gone from two employees in 1994 (including Winget) to nine employees. It also employs freelance artisan sculptors for its design work.

Prior to starting Authentic Environments, Winget was a freelance artist, working on projects at water parks, zoos, hotels, casinos, aquariums and theme parks throughout the world.

He learned his trade from creative individuals who had the idea for large-scale outdoor design projects before the technology made it affordable to build those designs in the mainline residential market, he says.

Now, prompted by a desire to keep their children nearby, more homeowners are building these types of projects in their backyards.

"They create a venue in their backyard where their children will stay home and invite their friends over," he points out. "It's a way for parents to keep track of their kids."

It's also not uncommon for these homeowners to host parties with 40 to 50 guests. These entertainment-themed designs make it possible for them to accommodate such a large gathering.

"People are more family-oriented," Winget says. "They want to spend time together and they want to do it at home, not at a restaurant or banquet hall."

Design challenges

Winget says that potential designs can come either internally or externally.

"Sometimes, we get into the design aspect," he says. "Sometimes, a homeowner will come to us with an idea for a rock formation or water feature around a swimming pool, or a swimming pool contractor will have an idea."

Authentic Environments works with many swimming pool contractors in Southern California. Those contractors will often recommend the company to their customers.

A typical project can take from four weeks to three months depending on its scope and magnitude.