The existing pool was way too large for the space, it took up the entire back yard.

Philip Johnson inspired pool pavilion and cabana

Request Free Quote This custom swim resistance swim spa features a commercial-quality swim resistance system for current swimming. The swim spa also features an automatic pool safety cover, a therapeutic exercise bar, Primera Stone Diamond Head Treasure pool finish, and a Basketball system. The coping is Bluestone, and the planks that clad the exposed wall are Valder's Dovewhite limestone. There is also a mosaic tile border as well as on the stair treads. Photos by Larry Huene.

A small light-filled structure that doubles as a project studio and guest house anchors the north end of the site. In between, a pool courtyard and gardens occupy the heart of the site. (Photography by Jeremy Bitterman.)

Robert Shaw photographer

Rob Bramhall

Joel Barbitta D-Max Photography

This lap pool maximizes the space in a Bethesda backyard with fieldstone retaining walls that offer privacy and structure. Three sheer descent waterfalls add sound and movement to the swimming pool.

A family in West University contacted us to design a contemporary Houston landscape for them. They live on a double lot, which is large for that neighborhood. They had built a custom home on the property, and they wanted a unique indoor-outdoor living experience that integrated a modern pool into the aesthetic of their home interior. This was made possible by the design of the home itself. The living room can be fully opened to the yard by sliding glass doors. The pool we built is actually a lap swimming pool that measures a full 65 feet in length. Not only is this pool unique in size and design, but it is also unique in how it ties into the home. The patio literally connects the living room to the edge of the water. There is no coping, so you can literally walk across the patio into the water and start your swim in the heated, lighted interior of the pool. Even for guests who do not swim, the proximity of the water to the living room makes the entire pool-patio layout part of the exterior design. This is a common theme in modern pool design. The patio is also notable because it is constructed from stones that fit so tightly together the joints seem to disappear. Although the linear edges of the stones are faintly visible, the surface is one contiguous whole whose linear seamlessness supports both the linearity of the home and the lengthwise expanse of the pool. While the patio design is strictly linear to tie the form of the home to that of the pool, our modern pool is decorated with a running bond pattern of tile work. Running bond is a design pattern that uses staggered stone, brick, or tile layouts to create something of a linear puzzle board effect that captures the eye. We created this pattern to compliment the brick work of the home exterior wall, thus aesthetically tying fine details of the pool to home architecture. At the opposite end of the pool, we built a fountain into the side of the home's perimeter wall. The fountain head is actually square, mirroring the bricks in the wall. Unlike a typical fountain, the water here pours out in a horizontal plane which even more reinforces the theme of the quadrilateral geometry and linear movement of the modern pool. We decorated the front of the home with a custom garden consisting of small ground cover plant species. We had to be very cautious around the trees due to West U’s strict tree preservation policies. In order to avoid damaging tree roots, we had to avoid digging too deep into the earth. The species used in this garden—Japanese Ardesia, foxtail ferns, and dwarf mondo not only avoid disturbing tree roots, but they are low-growth by nature and highly shade resistant. We also built a gravel driveway that provides natural water drainage and preserves the root zone for trees. Concrete pads cross the driveway to give the homeowners a sure-footing for walking to and from their vehicles.

Interior Design: Mikhail Dantes Construction: Beck Building Company / Scott Amaral Engineer: Malouff Engineering / Bob Malouff Landscape Architect : Mike Eagleton

Stephen Dunn

Custom small urban pool, Endless Pool, star-light floor lights, shared system with spillover spa, custom spout water features, automatic cover, custom integrated fire feature. Richmond Hill, ON.

Fotograf: Tomek Kwiatosz Architekt: Dr. Eric Schmitz- Riol

The roofline, reminiscent of an Asian farmhouse, is clad with yellow cedar shingles. The gable ends feature triangular windows which permit natural light to enter the loft space within. Jim Fiora Photography LLC

Robert Shaw photographer

A client, an avid swimmer, wanted an exercise pool / spa installed and garden landscaped. Garden has contemporary touches yet classical layout. Clipped hedges match the shape and dimensions of the Ipe benches. Corten borders keep the compact garden in check and easy to maintain.

garden makeover and included the pool, deck walkways, boundary wall, plants and water features