1. What was it about this project that required an unusual level of quality workmanship?

The corner infinity edge pool and full perimeter overflow spa are both technically challenging water-in-transit features, requiring a great deal of precision craftsmanship. Additionally, the glass tile used on the full interior of the spa, as well as the pool steps and benches, required close attention to placement and execution. Rounded glass tile trim was used on all bench and step corners.

The perimeter spillover spa has graceful toe-kick detail. This recess under the bench seat was designed to hide the lights and suction fittings, which required precise planning prior to the plumbing, steel and gunite phases of construction.

Finally the lighting details required precise placement and coordination to ensure accuracy of 5 bubblers on a sun shelf, 3 laminars at the corners, 3 pool lights and 100 fiber optic points of light in the floor. Setting the SR Smith Star floor takes not only careful precise installation – it requires that the plaster crew is extremely delicate as they apply and trowel the plaster.

As with any pool that has this level of hydraulic demand – the plumbing design and installation must be extremely detailed in order to achieve an effective and efficient performance.

2. Describe the aesthetic appeal of this entire project.

The client’s interest in a pool that was visually striking in its use of numerous water-in-transit features made this an exciting project to work on. In order to not make any one area overwhelming we treated the pool as having several venues in which to create unique effects.

The elevated spa being a perimeter overflow set against exotic wood created two benefits. The primary effect is the way that, from outdoor living room, the viewer is visually drawn out toward the water as it flows from the hot tub to the pool. Additionally, the view of the elevated full spillover spa from the lower patio puts the perimeter overflow at eye level, enhancing the appearance that the spa is a sheet of glass set into the wood.

The shallow end and outdoor patio area of the pool are the main congregating spaces, where we wanted to create dramatic effects. The use of (5) LED Light Bubblers adds both acoustical and visual effect both at night and during the day. In addition to the Bubblers, Laminars, and Pool Lights – we created a star mode in which all the other lights are off and the (100) Fiber optic points of light in the floor are brought to life creating an amazing result.

The deep end of the pool has a full width bench against the end wall. This creates a striking effect with the dark plaster when someone is perched on this bench back dropped by the traditional negative edge.

The various water and lighting features come together to create a contemporary space full of exciting features spread out across the various venues.

3. Why do you think this project forced you to an unusual level of creativity?

The site’s original grade posed immense challenges to accomplish the clients end goal. In order to create a vast entertaining venue with multiple areas for guests including flat lawn space, creativity in design, planning and scheduling were in high demand.

By terracing the hardscaping we created 4 distinct elevations for entertaining.
- The Outdoor living room being set at first floor elevation gave us an opportunity to create an underground vault for the vast mechanical room.
- The 42” lowered perimeter overflow spa is the focal point centered on the room.
- The 70” lowered Pool Patio gives you a unique perspective back onto the perimeter overflow spa.
- The 98” lowered basin / lawn elevation creates a comfortable view back over the whole project when playing on the lawn.

In addition to these formal terraces of decking and hardscape – there are additional “Hide outs” and trails such as steps down to a putting green, hidden fire pit above exposed rock ledge and basement entrance. Finally hundreds of yards of fill were brought into the site to raise the lawn to finished basin height so that the lawn area is a flat, usable space for the younger kids to play.

4. Describe how this pool design integrates effectively with the home, landscape or both.

Extensive coordination was made with surfaces and materials in order to create a comfortable flow between the home and backyard project. The same travertine split face stone; tumbled travertine pavers and the exotic Brazilian Teak wood were used on many facets of the project. The front walkways, motor court and home entrance veneer were retrofit in the travertine to match the backyard living space; the outdoor living room used both the wall stone and the wood for the walls; the outdoor fireplace, custom benches and outdoor kitchen were all similarly dressed. The pillars contain recessed tracks for automatic screens during the mosquito season. By utilizing these textures across the project we were able to create a consistent theme as you explore the property from front to back.