CATEGORIES

PHTA’s Awards of Excellence program has a robust category list for residential and commercial installations of pools, spas, hot tubs, swim spas, and water features.

Please note our new categories for 2025, highlighted in red!

RESIDENTIAL POOL CATEGORIES

VANISHING EDGE

• Any shape, design, or type of construction of water surface area. Water feature in which water flows over the edge of at least one of the pool walls and is collected in a catch basin.

FREEFORM

• Combination of non-geometric curves (and straight lines) of water surface area.

GEOMETRIC

• Combination of straight lines and angles, and/or radius curve of water surface area. Includes rectangle, Roman-, or Grecian-ended.

POOLS WITH AUTOMATIC COVERS

• Any type of construction. Includes pools with fiberglass and/or metal walls and concrete or rolled glass floor.

SPAS BUILT IN CONJUNCTION WITH SWIMMING POOLS

• Permanently installed units with hydromassage jets that are constructed out of concrete (gunite, shotcrete, etc.) and attached to a pool. The spa and pool will be judged together.

FIBERGLASS POOLS

• Includes pools with fiberglass and/or metal walls and concrete or rolled glass floor.

VINYL-LINED POOLS

• Any shape, design or type of construction

NEW! SMALL BACKYARD INSTALLATIONS (less than 1,500 sq.ft.)

• Projects designed for compact outdoor areas under 1,500 square feet. These pools and spas must maximize style, comfort, and functionality despite their limited footprint.

COMMERCIAL POOL CATEGORY

COMMERCIAL POOLS

• Swimming pools constructed for commercial use, either recreational or competitive. Facilities may include Municipal, College or University, Home Owner Associations and Developments, Resorts, Country Clubs, YMCAs, and HMAC (Hotels, Apartments, and Condos). Private residences (single dwellings through four-plexes) are excluded if not part of an HOA.

POOL INGENUITY CATEGORIES

POOL RENOVATIONS

• Construction with some aspect of the original pool still in existence. Includes both residential and commercial installations. Photographs before construction commences, during construction, and after construction must be submitted. All photos are to be taken from the same vantage point. Photos taken during renovation are NOT acceptable as “Before” photos. Be sure to label “Before”, “During”, or “After” in the filename of the photo. One picture MUST be of the equipment pad.

ELEVATED POOL AND/OR SPA STRUCTURE

• Any pool and/or spa structure - commercial, public, or residential - that is constructed over occupied space. These may be constructed out of concrete (gunite, shotcrete, etc.), metal (stainless steel), or fiberglass.

NEW! ARCHITECTURAL ACHIEVEMENT

• Pool and spa projects that demonstrate outstanding design, craftsmanship, and innovative engineering. These entries should blend seamlessly with their surroundings, elevating the outdoor space to an artistic statement.

NEW! FUN FEATURES

• "For the family." Pools and spas with playful elements geared toward family-friendly entertainment. Includes features such as slides, water games, or interactive touches that foster fun for all ages.

WATER/FIRE FEATURE CATEGORY

WATER/FIRE FEATURES

• Non-bathing entities, such as fountains or atriums, used only for aesthetic purposes. These may be residential or commercial.

HOT TUB AND SWIM SPA CATEGORIES

PORTABLE HOT TUBS

• Self-contained units with hydromassage jets that are manufactured from prefabricated materials at a factory. Units are made of metal (stainless steel), acrylic, or thermoplastic shell and are surrounded by a cabinet that houses the controls, pump, heater, and filter. Portable hot tubs can be moved to another location and reinstalled.

SWIM SPAS

• A vessel that may include hydromassage jets but must include swim jets designed for recreational or fitness use. Units are manufactured from prefabricated materials at a factory.

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