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Brought to fruition in South Yarra, and designed by Jack Merlo in conjunction with Aquarius Pools, this contemporary courtyard pool is both a wet-edge pool and a pond and incorporates clever design features. “A sleek overflow wall enables the water to flow into the pond, creating both a visual and an audible water feature from the living areas and upper floor of the home,” explains Chris Jackson of Aquarius Pools. “The striking sculpture featuring three pillars within the pond at the end of the rectangular pool is a unique design element and stunning when highlighted with LED lights at night.” Beautiful large-format grey tiles on the pool’s wet edge and pond floor contrast with the luxe stone pavers and white interior pool tiles to create a luxurious feel. “The contemporary…

Created on a sloping block fronting the canals of Martha Cove Marina, on the eastern shores of Port Phillip Bay, this infinity-edge pool and 12-jet spa suits the whole family, regardless of their age, and its location is definitely hard to surpass. “Whether you’re sitting on the deck overlooking the water, or motoring past on the boat, the horizon edge of the rectangular pool provides a real element of something special that our clients absolutely love,” says Steve Lord, director of Coastal Pools & Spas. Steve and his team built and designed the 11m-long pool and spa at this family’s weekend entertainer at Martha Cove. “Our favourite aspect about this project is the location and the seamless transition between the horizon edge and the marina,” says Steve. In addition to…

With teenage children who love to dance and exercise, this Queensland family wanted their indoor pool to integrate with their newly built dance studio and be used year-round for relaxation, fitness and healing. As part of their home renovation, the family opted for a 10m-long indoor pool, and the stunning indoor area seamlessly integrates with the existing residence. “The renovation was an extension to an existing residence inclusive of a newly constructed concrete indoor heated swimming pool, steam room and new dance studio,” explains Beau Corp Aquatics & Construction director Michael Hoy. “It can get windy when living on the river, and although the family previously had an older-style pool riverside, they decided to relocate the pool as part of their house renovations.” The pool’s interior is fully tiled in…

This dramatic infinity-edge pool and spa were built on a very steep block to take advantage of the beautiful views over Brisbane Water, on the New South Wales Central Coast, and the surrounding bushland. The homeowners requested a low-maintenance pool they can use all year that makes the most of the vista and bush setting. “This is the owners’ holiday house and they do a lot of entertaining when they are there,” explains Zeb Rodrigues, owner of Artesian Pools, who built the stunning pool-and-spa combination. The 11.7m-long Bisazza-tiled pool can be accessed from the house level and has a large adjacent entertaining area inside the pool enclosure. The spa, meanwhile, is slightly raised. Frameless glass pool fencing was used so that it does not detract from the spectacular views. A…

When planning their new pool, this family with teenage children wanted an area for their kids to play, and for the pool to be a feature that is visible from the house. Built by Southern Cross Pools and designed by Kate Patterson Landscape Architecture, the 6.5m-long pool is modern but with a classic colour palette. The L-shaped pool sits on a rear and side boundaries and is surrounded by units. “This is why the walls are such a privacy screen,” says Josh Schwal, owner of Southern Cross Pools. “I love the curved red brick wall created from second-hand bricks. There’s something so simple but strong about the design.” With this pool’s construction, Josh and his team faced a Christmas deadline, which is always stressful and adds an extra element of…

This exquisite new home required an equally impressive pool to be a feature from both the downstairs and upstairs windows, as well as to make the most of the sweeping views from the sloping block. “The pool had to fit the style of the new home without taking away from its unique and very contemporary style,” says Colin Sloggett of East Coast Pools. The homeowners, a family of five who run a much-loved local business, are very involved in the community. “It was important to the owners that local tradespeople were used throughout the project,” explains Colin. The owners wanted a pool they could utilise for fitness, entertaining groups of friends, and suitable for their school-aged children. “They love socialising so the house and outside spaces were all designed to…

“Glass is a fantastic product to use in design. It lets a lot of light in, which is great because light is a major consideration in good design. But with glass comes the challenge of maintenance — from shower screens, railings, windows to kitchen splashbacks.” “What we recommend is using a product such as EnduroShield to protect new or existing glass and repel contaminants from staining the surface. EnduroShield makes surfaces easy to clean and it keeps glass cleaner for longer between cleans. EnduroShield can be applied to any glass surface in the home — windows, pool fencing, railings or glass shower screens. One application on new glass will last 10 years. If you do it yourself it will last up to three years. Once you’ve applied it, all you…

TILING AND GROUTING IN COLD TEMPERATURES To help ensure your tiling projects look great for many years to come, Laticrete has provided some tips for tiling and grouting in cold weather. • Work during warm periods of the day. • Ensure the surface temperature is within the suggested temperature range for the Laticrete product being used during the installation and cure period. Consult the individual Laticrete product data sheet and “How to Install” guide for more information. • Tent and heat areas that will be subjected to the elements or freezing temperatures during installation and cure periods. • For multiple-storey buildings, areas to receive tile and stonework may be heated from below to aid in “warming up” cold concrete slabs and rooms. Simply placing temporary heating units in areas under…

With a state-of-the-art pool and spa, pavilion, art studio and paved terraces, this backyard really has it all. But what makes it so special is how each space flows so organically onto the next. The whole area feels unified, balanced and organised. “We designed the entire project as a whole,” explains landscape and pool designer Dean Herald from Rolling Stone Landscapes. The award-winning company was engaged to look after the entire project, from design through to construction completion (including building the pavilion and landscape and contracting pool builders Splish Splash Pools to build the pool). The pool was recognised for its innovation and quality of workmanship by being awarded Pool of the Year at the 2017 SPASA NSW awards. When developing the concept for the project, Dean looked to the…

With land at a premium in Melbourne’s trendy Collingwood, the owners of this warehouse conversion looked to the sky to expand their home. They added a second storey with two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a living area and a contemporary outdoor terrace. Gorgeous travertine pavers surround the pool and flow from the terrace into the home. The couple chose the 5.3m-long x 3m-wide Tuscany pool by Miami Pools. The pool is a heavy duty, self-supporting pool shell which was easily and quickly installed on the second storey of the inner-city property. Fibreglass pools are a good option for second-storey settings as they are a lighter alternative, often requiring less building infrastructure. Another benefit of fibreglass pools is that they are often covered under home and contents insurance without extra premiums (unlike…

To create this 12m-long lap pool with kids’ splash pool and spa in a northern suburb of Perth, a 30-year-old fibreglass pool and retaining walls were removed to accommodate the homeowners’ wishes for a pool that provides a stunning aspect from their home. “The homeowner wanted to be able to swim laps and have a great view from their home, and the project was also to include a kids’ pool for their new grandchild to play in,” explains director of The Water’s Edge, Steve Nener. The 700sqm site is rectangular, with a 2m slope. “While incorporating the slope of the block, I used the pool as a safety barrier to lessen the amount of glass fencing required,” says Steve. An amazing amount of detail went into the design and construction…

This beautifully executed outdoor space has delivered on the clients’ brief to enhance their lifestyle and home while ensuring easy maintenance and sustainability. Built by Kiama Pools, the stylish design complements the clients’ new home in Bayside, Melbourne. “These lovely clients wanted a beautiful outdoor space for the whole extended family to enjoy,” explain Tim Sprague and Stephen Lloyd, co-owners of Kiama Landscapes & Pools. Designed by Mark Browning of Cycas Landscape Design, the 9.5m-long lap pool is a rectangle shape with additional width for the spa and step in the light-blue mosaic-tiled pool. Kiama Landscapes constructed all of the poolside entertaining space including classic travertine paving, coppered oak decking, privacy screens, retaining walls, planting and lawn area. “As this property had limited space, a retaining wall was constructed at…

Thanks to advances in technology, pool ownership is today easier, simpler and more cost-effective than ever before. From programmable cleaners, automatic lighting and heating, water features and swim jets to chemical dosers that automatically control the pH and pool water sanitisation and automated pool covers, there is an automatic device — or devices — to suit all needs. These devices can significantly cut the time you spend on maintenance while, as a bonus, they also reduce your energy and chemical use. Automation has now reached the level where you can connect all your pool devices to a central control and manage them according to your personal needs. And thanks to improvements in wireless connectivity, the range of remote controls has broadened, which increases the appeal of these systems. CHEMICAL DOSING…

There are many reasons for a pool to be built out of the ground or elevated. It often requires less excavation, so it can be more affordable, but an elevated pool can also be better suited to a sloping block, sometimes enabling the pool and living areas to be on the same level. Elevated pools can also save space when land is at a premium, particularly when the space underneath the pool can be utilised for other purposes (storage, alfresco entertaining or living space). Regardless of the reason, elevated pools do require meticulous engineering and experienced construction techniques. Here is a selection of some of the most inspiring and jaw-dropping elevated pools. The construction of this pool didn’t come without its challenges, given the pool was positioned on the edge…

The relaxed vibe of this outdoor oasis was created by John Storch, principal of A Total Concept Landscape Architects and Pool Designers, who was commissioned to design the swimming pool, cabana, entertaining deck and gardens of this Sydney property. The alluring yet understated glass tiles used in the geometric-shaped swimming pool contrast beautifully with the blonde sandstone paving of the external paved areas, while the timber cabana floor is a perfect match for the decking of the main entertaining area. A quality internal, external and in-pool sound system, together with all electrical components including lighting, irrigation, pool heating, lights and swim jets, are all linked to the electrical switching system in both the cabana and main residence. A special element of the pool is the water feature and stepping stone…

This space was designed and built to provide the privacy, entertainment area and functionality the homeowners desperately required of their inner-city Enmore residence. The result of a clever design by GOODMANORS Pool + Garden, the space now boasts an impressive alfresco area, outdoor lighting and a sleek and unexpected plunge pool. The wellexecuted outdoor zone not only offers room for wining, dining and swimming, but also provides the practicality of hidden builtin storage for the pool equipment, dryer and bins, plus a secure parking space for the resident’s car. To maximise the tight space, it was decided the pool would sit right on the boundary, with the rendered blockwork rising out of the pool as the boundary barrier. High-level consideration at the design stage, and complexity in construction technique, ensured…

Constructed in Sydney’s inner west, where space is often at a premium, this sophisticated modern rectangular pool was designed to form part of the house’s walls. The flat block had an existing house demolished and a new house constructed in its place, with the pool designed by the owner and architect to take advantage of the area to the side of the house. The construction was done in conjunction with Technique Build, which built the house. “On this particular project, we were provided with the plans by the builder and worked together to achieve the finished pool to the clients’ satisfaction,” explains John Daniel of Jade Swimming Pools. The shell of the pool was concreted and then placed on hold while the house was constructed. Once the home was nearing…

The lush green NSW Sapphire Coast has been a favourite holiday spot for this family of four for many years. Their sloping 10ha site, with a new home and infinity-edge pool, is now a place where the couple and their two children in their 20s can truly indulge. “We have been visiting the region since childhood and stay at our adjacent family farm several times a year,” say the homeowners. “We are interested in hiking, beach runs on soft sand, keeping fit and we swim multiple times a day — either in the ocean or pool. A great day is when you don’t get out of your togs or board shorts!” They requested a rectangular-shaped pool that takes advantage of their enviable beach views and interacts well with their house,…

These Rose Bay homeowners, a professional family with two sons in their early 20s, had one main goal in mind when planning their pool: achieving a design in a restricted space while maintaining an area for entertaining as well as a backyard. “A key element of the design brief was achieving balance between the available spaces while still allowing practical use of each,” explain Rourke Hartwig and Rob Rooney of Equilibrium Pools, who built this pool. The family’s interests include sport (especially soccer) and they have an affection for dogs, especially Labradors. Their coastal site is just 234sqm, and level except for the rear and one side of the block. Designed by Regal Design Landscapes, the project features a modern reticulated rectilinear plunge pool with incorporated bench seats, custom water…

There are some things that should simply be left to the experts and laying the foundation for your pool is one of them. Trade Pools specialises in constructing reinforced concrete pool shells for residential and commercial pools. The team of experts work closely with pool companies, landscapers and builders to provide a tailored solution to each project. “It’s the behind-the-scenes organisation and on-site preparation that can be the most time-consuming but also important part of the pool build,” says Chris Pettigrew, founder of Trade Pools. “Our team has years of experience, the knowledge and the machinery to make the process very smooth.” Trade Pools is often engaged by other companies to erect formwork and install reinforced steel, but can also take a project right through to completion. Trade Pools has…

With more than 100 designs available, German-manufactured Jasba mosaics offer unlimited combinations for stylish, high-quality and safe pool and spa design. The featured range, Amano, is available in eight colours, suitable for underwater applications. These 20 x 20mm glazed mosaics are inspired by the motion of water and characterised by a relief surface that generates glassy effects without the need for expensive epoxy glue systems and experienced labour required for glass mosaics. As a major design feature of any backyard, a pool and spa must complement its surrounds. The Amano range offers delicately transparent, muted colours and smooth surfaces that refract light, giving an impressive sparkling effect. This sets off the pool and spa as an inviting, refreshing and distinctive element of any backyard design. The small-format mosaic can accommodate…