Table of contents for No. 34 in Poolside Showcase

This issue features some of the most remarkable and inspiring pools from all over the country to help you plan your own swimming pool. On page 36 you’ll find five trendy outdoor projects completed by the contestants on Channel 9’s The Block. Each started with a blank canvas and slightly different-sized backyards, so it’s interesting to see how a space can be completely transformed in just a week. Page 48 showcases some of the stand-out projects from the recent SPASA national awards. As well as presenting award-winning builders and designers, we’ve also made sure to include the winning products and suppliers — areas of the pool concept and creation that homeowners are getting more involved with. You’ll find a plethora of new products, from tiling, paving and heating to cleaning,…

WINNER’S DELIGHT House 5: Kirsty and Jesse With a space far larger than all of the other contestants, the expectations were set high for Kirsty and Jesse’s pool and backyard. They proved themselves fit for the challenge by taking out the top prize. An enviable enclosed pavilion area features a dining table, fridge, pizza oven and wood-fired barbecue and overlooks the most generous-sized pool out of all five homes. “This is insane,” said Neale Whitaker, one of The Block’s three judges. A limestone bench provides another seating area closer to the pool, tucked into a sunny corner of the garden. Established dragon trees adorn the edges of the garden and will grow taller over the coming years. This backyard is filled with multiple zones and special features — it even…

When the blistering heat of a long Sydney summer becomes too much to bear, this young family in Smithfield doesn’t have to venture far to beat the heat. With small children to cater for and an extended family to entertain, the homeowners requested a secluded water haven in their backyard to bring the family together and keep cool. Designed and built by Blue Haven Pools, the 12m-long pool won the highly coveted Gold award at the 2021 SPASA NSW Awards for Concrete Pool up to $60,000. This win is no surprise, thanks to an impressive array of features such as a rounded spa, jet ledge and ledge lounger — also known as the Blue Haven Champagne Ledge. “The ledge loungers are an iconic Blue Haven feature — one-of-a-kind sunken furniture…

A love of entertaining drove the owners of this Newport home to bring their backyard up to date with a comprehensive makeover. The backyard originally featured a kidney-shaped pool, a large patch of grass and brick pavers. It lacked cohesion and no longer matched the house. The owners called in the experts at Kookaburra Pools to renovate the entire space, including the pool. “Our aim was to follow the clients’ request to make the space flow and provide them with a great area for regular barbecues and entertaining,” says Alex from Kookaburra Pools. With primary-school-aged children, it was important to incorporate a grass area for outdoor play, a visual connection to the pool from other areas of the backyard, and a few different zones to give each spot a purpose.…

Crystal Pools built this vanishing-edge family pool in a stunning bush setting on Sydney’s upper north shore, overlooking Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park. An infinity-edge spillover to both sides of the pool blends the beauty of the bush and home seamlessly with the incredible pool. The stunning 6.5m-long L-shaped design and large pool area are perfect for friends and family all year round. Generous-sized ledges allow a multitude of visitors to enjoy the tranquil surroundings while relaxing and swimming. The vivid water colour has been achieved with a Crystal Resort White pebble interior finish with blue glass flecks, complemented by Leyla Fiji tiles for the waterline. Crystal Pools has been in business for more than 60 years and has won over 260 major state and national awards. The directors who run…

After you’ve carefully selected a beautiful stone or masonry finish, and once your project is complete, it’s time to protect these porous surfaces which are prone to staining and damage over time. Tiles, pavers and stone, especially near pool areas, can discolour and appear dirty due to the ingress and movement of water and impurities carried throughout the surface. STAIN-PROOF™ sealers provide a permanent water-and-oil-repelling barrier that protects against these forms of damage, extending the life of porous materials, reducing cleaning costs and keeping surfaces looking better longer. WHY PROTECT POROUS POOLSIDE SURFACES: To reduce maintenance To increase the lifespan of the surface To protect your investment To lower the need for contractors to be called back to jobs to fix issues The chemistry in the STAIN-PROOF range of sealers…

Set beautifully into rural surroundings, this freeform pool sits on a hill with an enviable outlook. Natural stone paving and timber decking have been chosen to complement the style of the pool and gently fit with its environment. Castlemaine random stone paving is the perfect choice for this project, with its warm, earthy tones of brown, gold and terracotta. It’s sourced from the original Castlemaine stone quarry in Central Victoria, one of only a few local quarries still producing. This iconic stone has been mined since 1953 and has truly stood the test of time. It’s a popular choice due to its durability, gorgeous colouring as well as its availability in so many forms. It’s also slip resistant and salt tolerant, which is why this unique stone is ideally suited…

AN ALUMINIUM ALTERNATIVE TO TIMBER SLEEPERS Ideal for garden edges, boundary fencing, uneven terrain and much more Aluminium sleepers are renowned for their versatility. AllySLEEPER™ is made up of hollow sockets on the inside and can be used as either a plinth under steel panel fences or a sleeper for retaining walls. They’re also a great way to level or increase the base height of a new or existing fence on uneven terrain. To maintain a straight, seamless appearance, the bottom of the sleeper clips can be placed right next to each other. Furthermore, as the sleepers are installed into the ground, they help prevent weeds and debris from protruding through gaps in the fence. Suitable for a variety of applications — available in 2365mm or 3090mm AllySLEEPER pairs beautifully…

Naked Pools has launched its new NKD-pH controller, an automatic acid feeder to ensure your pool remains at the perfect pH, benefitting both your skin and health. Almost four years on from Naked Pools’ innovative Naked Freshwater System, the company has introduced the NKD-pH controller as an easy way to manage your pool’s chemical balance. The controller integrates seamlessly into your existing NKD-R Freshwater System, making monitoring your pool’s chemical balance a breeze. naked-pools.com…

HOW DID YOU GET STARTED IN THE LANDSCAPING INDUSTRY? This year, 2022, marks our 25th year in business at Urban Escape Landscaping & Pools. Prior to starting my own landscaping business, I worked for several landscapers that dealt with large commercial to small residential jobs. I worked on weekends with one of my first foremen doing minor jobs and eventually decided to go out on my own. I started small, with a ute, a dog and a shovel. We mostly concentrated on smaller residential projects and over the years picked up several landscape designers. The business has grown steadily to the point where we decided to steer the business into a position where we obtained our swimming pool builder’s licence and concentrated on designing our own projects. We usually run…

The SPASA Awards of Excellence acknowledge the best, boldest and most creative projects, products and people in the swimming pool and spa industry. Entrants from every region in Australia showcase their achievements in construction, design, manufacturing, supply, products, retail and service. The national awards enable the winners from each state and region to compete for Australia’s top prize of national winner in each category: the ultimate recognition as leaders in their field. Below is a snapshot of the gold winners. For more details including all of the finalists, visit spasaawards.com.au/awards/national PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR Gold: Spa World, Elaine Kalache Australian Capital Territory CONCRETE POOL UP TO $120,000 Gold: Leader Pools Australian Capital Territory BUSINESS OF THE YEAR Gold: Europe Imports New South Wales PRODUCT OF THE YEAR Gold: Narellan Pools…

The scale, complexity and detail of this Toorak, Melbourne, project produced an exceptional result that has delighted the homeowners. While achieving a beautiful aesthetic, the contemporary pool and spa also meet the brief for a fully automated, low-maintenance pool for family fun, swimming laps and entertaining. The innovative design, by Cera Stribley Architects in conjunction with Aquarius Pools, features an infinity edge on three sides of the pool, with a large spa at the opposite end. The clever addition of a Remco SwimJet is housed in a 730mm-wide wall between the pool and spa. Due to the sloping block, the 16.39m-long pool is suspended 5m above the ground. The curved sculptural form of the house is designed to wrap around the pool. All the rooms point north, overlooking the swimming…

Recently completed and brought to fruition by Kiama Pools & Landscapes, this magnificent glass-tiled spa and large rectangular pool are the elegant showpiece of a large property on a level block. The pool has been strategically positioned at the back of the block in a sunny spot, which overlooks the tennis court and alfresco areas. Its elevated position means it’s also visible from all of the living areas in the home. The owners requested an outdoor space that looks amazing and would have the ‘wow’ factor every time they step outside. They wanted something spectacular that could be enjoyed year-round, with the highest level of quality in construction and equipment, easy to maintain and fully automated. “It was an absolute pleasure to create an outdoor space for this lovely family,”…

KHD Landscape Engineering Solutions loves working with designers and clients who challenge themselves to bring out the best in their homes. Case in point: this major renovation to a 1930s Malvern bungalow, which presented myriad interesting challenges, including a rear garden and pool area that required a completely different look and feel to the front garden. In addition, a multi-car garage was to be housed under a concrete slab beneath the front garden. The client also insisted Australian bluestone pavers be installed over a waterproof membrane. Finally, a car lift platform required a low-profile tile with enough strength to handle vehicular traffic. For the front garden, 40mm-thick Australian bluestone in an ashlar pattern was laid on paver supports to ensure the membrane was protected. This allows the tiles to be…

Created as part of a new apartment development in Forster, on the NSW Mid North Coast, this custom curved pool was designed by the builders to be a feature when viewed from the apartments above. Not only is it a striking centrepiece of the apartment complex, it was also recognised as a SPASA NSW/ACT gold winner in the Concrete Commercial Pools up to $250,000 category. The 12.43m-long pool is a difficult design and was located in sandy conditions that required formwork and expert installation of steel due to the radius. The shape, a modern design with entry steps at each end, was provided by the builder, Hunt Collaborative, while the internal depths and step configuration were provided by Jade Pools. “We specialise in the family pool by creating the dream…

Just how does a pool, modern home and church dating from around 1870 merge effortlessly, while appearing both contemporary and classic? This was the question posed to Splash Constructions SA and architect Little Suburban Studio for this geometric pool project in Adelaide. The brief to both companies was to create a feature for the home that would balance the aesthetics of a 150-year-old church in the backyard with a modern extension to the home. The structure also had to be sympathetic to both the church and home, despite them being built so many years apart. Nestled between the heritage church and the modern extension on the Ovingham property, the 7m-long pool built by Splash Constructions SA plays a unique and important role in terms of both functionality and aesthetics. The…

This design perfectly showcases how a pool and spa can be incorporated into any space, no matter the size. Sabo Design pulled out all the stops with this project, which included a pool, spa and outdoor shower, while Butterworth Landscapes and Apex Pools and Spas carried out the design brief to perfection. Testament to both good design and installation, this small area includes everything you could want in a landscape rejuvenation. It’s the paving, pool coping and tiles that bring the entire project together. The featured paving is Pietra Grigio brushed and tumbled paving and pool coping from Granite Works Australia, a specialist supplier of natural stone and developer of bespoke, hard-surface solutions that improve and bring value to customers’ homes. Also featured is the company’s Sinai White brushed and…

Swimart, one of Australasia’s largest pool and spa specialist groups, recognised its peak performers at a hybrid event that celebrated excellence across its Australian and New Zealand franchise network. “It’s been rewarding to see so many franchisees and their teams stepping up and excelling throughout this unexpected environment,” says Swimart’s marketing manager, Nathan Hallahan. The top prizes included Franchise of the Year awards across five categories for Swimart stores in Byron Bay, Woree, Warner’s Bay, Blacktown, St Ives and Glenfield in Auckland, New Zealand. Gladesville NSW secured a 10-year service award. Jindalee received the Queensland Retailer of the Year award. Byron Bay mobile pool care service owner Gary Sanderson is delighted with his Franchise of the Year award. swimart.com.au…

EvoHeat has been awarded the 2022 ProductReview Award for its Evo Force-i & Evo Fusion-i pool heat pumps, after being recognised by Australian consumers for their advanced energy efficiency and smart features. ProductReview.com.au is one of the most trusted online review sites for Australian consumers seeking real options and reviews. Their annual awards highlight products and services that have been recognised as the best and most reliable purchasing choice available to Australian consumers. evoheat.com.au…

If you’re thinking about building a new pool, don’t forget to plan what happens around the pool as well. In Australia, that means you are going to have to investigate installing a pool fence. Not only is pool fencing a safety necessity, but done right, it can also add an extra touch of aesthetic appeal to your backyard design. Just like the pool installation itself, there are many things you need to consider when it comes to fencing. With that in mind, we’ve put together the five most common poolside planning mistakes and how to avoid them. 1. COMPROMISING ON QUALITY Don’t make the mistake of thinking you can cut corners on the quality of the fencing to lower the cost of the overall project. Having a low-quality fence is…

In the hands of the right designer, a steeply sloping backyard isn’t a problem — it’s an opportunity to create something unique and bespoke. Here, Nick McCarthy, head designer and director of Urban Escape Landscaping & Pools, has taken a once unloved and unused precipitous rear garden and transformed it into a multi-level, multifunctional outdoor escape. “The goal was to provide multiple spaces for entertaining, introduce a swimming pool and create a level rear lawn. The main entertaining area had to be covered and equipped for alfresco cooking and relaxing, there needed to be a deck attached to the house for day-to-day use, and an inviting pool zone that could be used for family fun or entertaining guests,” explains Nick. Comfort and convenience were the bywords when designing and equipping…

A Total Concept Landscape Architects & Swimming Pool Designers was engaged by the owners of this property to design then manage this integrated pool, boatshed and garden areas — a small space that belies the complexity of the construction of the project. “We undertook the designs, obtained building approval, provided detailed specifications for all aspects of the project, recommended and organised the pool builder and landscape contractor,” recalls John Storch, principal of A Total Concept Landscape Architects & Swimming Pool Designers. “We then undertook the management of the project’s construction for our clients.” Being on the waterfront, the home only had access by inclinator, so the pool was excavated by hand and small machinery was used, which had to be delivered by barge. More than 50m3 of spoil, including an…

In Aberfeldie, Melbourne, an Art Deco-style house with beautiful fittings and features belongs to a forward-thinking architect. When he renovated the property years ago, the rear was done in cohesion with the original property so that it would seamlessly integrate with the existing house. When it came time to consider a pool to complete the residence, the client had a vision for an edgy and contemporary-looking design and Laurie Jacobson Pools was chosen to work with him to bring it to life. “The homeowner had drawn up designs for the pool and we worked to make his vision a reality,” explains Laurie, director of Laurie Jacobson Pools. “Unlike what many clients usually ask for, this 6.5m-long pool isn’t child-friendly. With children in their 20s, the homeowners wanted to enjoy their…

Far more than just a simple pool and spa, this modern project provides a stunning visual element for a Brighton home. Created in an L shape, the rectangular pool and spa duo is essentially part of the home and offers a connection to it all year round from the living and entertaining zones. “A pool should be cohesive with the home so when you’re not using it, it still provides an atmosphere of relaxation,” says Adam Moore, owner of Swimmore Pools. “It should be functional to the needs of its owners and also provide a value add to the property.” The homeowners, a family with school-aged children, requested that their pool and spa make best use of their available space. “They wanted to achieve the maximum waterline between the house…

A self-cleaning pool allows you to spend more time enjoying life while your pool cleans itself. Your pool will also be more efficient to operate and more enjoyable to swim in because of the increased circulation benefits. Owning a pool has never been this easy. Not all self-cleaning pools are the same. The QuikClean range of in-floor cleaning systems feature advanced technology, have been developed for Australian conditions and are proven in even the most demanding circumstances. The focus of a QuikClean system is you. Three superior systems, all with unique features and advantages, are designed to suit your unique pool and lifestyle requirements. Whether you have a heavy debris site, want the latest look or value genuine energy efficiency, QuikClean has a system for you. Carefully consider what features…

“ALL PRODUCTS NOW INCLUDE OUR MAGNIFICENT MOTHER OF PEARL SHELL BLEND FOR UNRIVALLED SPARKLE”Michael Kettewell Dazzling to the eye and luxuriously smooth to touch, Blue Glass Pebble Company’s pool interiors have been created by former pool builders to provide the market with an affordable and highly durable interior option. “We built our product out of necessity because we found the finishes we were using in pools were fading in colour,” says manager Michael Kettewell. “Some of them had poor oxides, others crushed painted additives, and some just too difficult for the homeowners to maintain.” Blue Glass Pebble interiors are made specifically for smoothness, high shine, vibrant colour and durability. “We are really proud of our product and we’ve had great feedback over the years from builders and pool owners who…

Kirsty and Jesse’s backyard in The Block 2021 was the biggest space of all the properties. This also meant it had to be perfectly executed in order to compete with the other contestants. The couple chose to install a Sunbather pool cover because of its high quality and durability, as well as the fact it easily hides away when not in use, making the pool area stylish and aesthetically pleasing. Sunbather’s Downunder rollers are out of sight and out of mind. The roller mechanism as well as the cover is hidden in a cavity and covered by a lid. The lid closes flush with the deck when the cover is retracted and also when it’s fully extended over the pool. It’s super easy to use, with one person being able to…