Vernon Wentz

This Spool was designed to fit into a small backyard without taking up the majority of the space. At 5,700 gallons it is the perfect size. We shut down a lane of traffic and craned in locally sourced boulders and field stone from the DC Ranch development. Details include a custom lounge bench finished with river rock, spa jets in the bench and in the shallow area and travertine water line tile. We used Pentair equipment, Intellitouch control system, paramount PV3 in-floor system, and Pebble Sheen interior finish.

Request Free Quote This paradise in the Urban Jungle measures 8'0" x 16'0" and is 4'0" deep. It features LED colored lighting, full-width steps and sunshelf with bubblers, a 16'0" bench, and an in-floor cleaning system. An automatic pool safety cover with custom walk-on stone lid keeps the pool surface clean and safe. Indiana LImestone Coping finishes the look and the natural stone decking provides ample seating around the pool. Onyx exposed aggregate pool finish gives the final touch to this amazing compact recreation space. Photos by Larry Huene

A Memorial area family commissioned us to create a natural swimming pool in their back yard. The family already had a standard pool on premises, but it was isolated in an area of the yard not particularly suited to seating guests or hosting get-togethers. What they wanted was a second, natural swimming pool built that would serve as the hub of a new home outdoor entertainment area consisting of a new stone patio, comfortable outdoor seating, and a fire pit. They wanted to create something unique that would preserve as much of the natural features of the landscape as possible, but that would also be completely safe and fully functional as a swimming pool. We decided to design this new landscaping plan around a pre-existent waterfall that was already on the property. This feature was too attractive to ignore, and provided the ideal anchor point for a new gathering area. The fountain had been designed to mimic a natural waterfall, with stones laid on top of one another in such a way as to look like a mountain cliff where water spontaneously springs from the top and cascades down the rocks. At first glance, many would miss the opportunity that such a structure provides; assuming that a fountain designed like a cliff would have to be completely replaced to install a natural swimming pool. Our landscaping designers, however, came up with a landscape plan to transform one archetypal form into the other by simply adding to what was already there. At the base of the rocks we dug a basin. This basin was oblong in shape and varied in degrees of depth ranging from a few inches on the end to five feet in the middle. We directed the flow of the water toward one end of the basin, so that it flowed into the depression and created a swimming pool at the base of the rocks. This was easy to accomplish because the fountain lay parallel to the top of a natural ravine located toward the back of the property, so water flow was maintained by gravity. This had the secondary effect of creating a new natural aesthetic. The addition of the basin transformed the fountain’s appearance to look more like a cliff you would see in a river, where the elevation suddenly drops, and water rushes over a series of rocks into a deeper pool below. Children and guests swimming in this new structure could actually imagine themselves in a Rocky Mountain River. We then heated the swimming pool so it could be enjoyed in the winter as well as the summer, and we also lit the pool using two types of luminaries for complimentary effects. For vegetation, we used mercury vapor down lights to backlight surrounding trees and to bring out the green color of foliage in and around the top of the rocks. For the brown color of the rocks themselves, and to create a sparkling luminance rising up and out of the water, we installed incandescent, underwater up lights. The lights were GFIC protected to make the natural swimming pool shock proof and safe for human use.

Bradford's Signature 770 spa in all stainless. The 770 measures 84" x 84" and can come with or without equipment. It can be installed in-ground or on grade.

Tom Holdsworth Photography Our clients wanted to create a room that would bring them closer to the outdoors; a room filled with natural lighting; and a venue to spotlight a modern fireplace. Early in the design process, our clients wanted to replace their existing, outdated, and rundown screen porch, but instead decided to build an all-season sun room. The space was intended as a quiet place to read, relax, and enjoy the view. The sunroom addition extends from the existing house and is nestled into its heavily wooded surroundings. The roof of the new structure reaches toward the sky, enabling additional light and views. The floor-to-ceiling magnum double-hung windows with transoms, occupy the rear and side-walls. The original brick, on the fourth wall remains exposed; and provides a perfect complement to the French doors that open to the dining room and create an optimum configuration for cross-ventilation. To continue the design philosophy for this addition place seamlessly merged natural finishes from the interior to the exterior. The Brazilian black slate, on the sunroom floor, extends to the outdoor terrace; and the stained tongue and groove, installed on the ceiling, continues through to the exterior soffit. The room's main attraction is the suspended metal fireplace; an authentic wood-burning heat source. Its shape is a modern orb with a commanding presence. Positioned at the center of the room, toward the rear, the orb adds to the majestic interior-exterior experience. This is the client's third project with place architecture: design. Each endeavor has been a wonderful collaboration to successfully bring this 1960s ranch-house into twenty-first century living.

The homeowners wanted to keep all the trees and create a symmetrical pool. He wanted symmetry but not a boring rectangle and she wanted pretty. The curved back wall was to flow with the trees, help avoid trees and maximize the space. The Black Pebble and dark tile were chosen to be more reflective and organic. The spa was round to provide better access off the porch. The vanishing edge effect also brought the reflection of the trees into the home, raised 18" gave great access and a wonderful focal point. The yard grade could not be modified with the trees so the pool drop beam minimized the wall requirements and provided an excellent seat to watch the golf course. A second wall kept the grade to a maximum of 24" drop and connected to the existing wall that we kept. Flanking both sides of the spa were tanning ledges for many to relax, accented by LED gushers. Copper firebowls and spill edges framed the view. Project designed by Mike Farley. Photo by Mike Farley.

Jordan Wills

Landscape Fusion Custom small pool /spool, built with spa jets and heater that quickly can make the pool feel like a spa. Very small backyard with a courtyard feel. Real clay brick deck/patio and all natural blue stone as the pool coping. Three lion heads spill out into the pool from the raised wall to give a fresh sound of falling water. All this surrounded by a traditional lush landscape and a custom pergola-trellis for the orchid garden.

David Noel

The focal point of the lounge area is a custom designed fire feature clad in a classic pattern of mini mosaic tiles. The dancing flames from the 60” linear fire feature can be delightfully mesmerizing as they add warmth and drama to an evening outdoors.

The new space that has been created just off the dining room to the rear of the property, lined with light birch ply, the space enjoys a skylight above and a large window overlooking the garden which flood the room with natural daylight. The floor has been raised and covered by floor cushions, to create a relaxation space - it can be a chill out space, or if you lift the floor a jacuzzi bath is concealed underneath.

This home was renovated with aging-in-place in mind. The existing home had water and termite issues. The home renovation focused on energy-efficiency, luxury, and comfort.

This modern pool with an industrial style has all the bells and whistles including: precast concrete water feature wall, precast concrete water feature wall, ipe deck, modern ipe shade arbor and precast concrete outdoor kitchen. Photography: Daniel Driensky

Mike Stanton