Table of contents for No 55 in Poolside

Features such as swimming pool steps and ledges can be customised to suit your individual needs when choosing a concrete swimming pool. This flexibility is especially important on smaller properties where there are limited access options. Swimming pool steps Steps can be designed to meet a great range of configurations and styles. A concrete swimming pool typically has three entry steps at the shallow end, with rounded edges and corners for safety, but the actual design and layout largely depend on the needs of the customer. Many customers also choose to extend the second step at a depth of approximately 600mm as an additional activity zone. Another popular style is what we call “wedding cake” steps in the corner of the pool. These are rounded so you can enter from…

The year 020 has presented an extraordinary set of circumstances to us all, forcing changes we never thought we would have to consider. The SPASA Awards of Excellence event is no exception. From concept to reality, the virtual awards were brought to life by teams of people dedicated to supporting not only SPASA and its members, but the industry as a whole. From the comfort of viewers’ homes or offices, SPASA Australia celebrated the National Awards of Excellence, bringing to an end an exceptional year for the pool and spa community. Kudos to Luke Daly and David Stennett, who took to this year’s new format like the proverbial duck to water. Guest appearances were made by chairman Stefan Ossenberg, SPASA CEO Lindsay McGrath and “roving reporter” COO Spiros Dassakis. “We…

For their large sloping block in a rural locality on the outskirts of Toowoomba, Queensland homeowners David and Emma chose the expertise of Rogers Pools to build their formal-style pool and spa. Given the exquisite new home build, named Tjuringa, this couldn’t be just any pool and spa. Fortunately, Rogers Pools rose to the occasion to create the pool and spa of David and Emma’s dreams, while working with the slope of their land. Jesse Bennett Studio designed the 9m-long rectangular pool and spa combination in conjunction with the strikingly modern new home, and the result is nothing short of spectacular. Fully tiled in dark-grey ceramic mosaics from The Pool Tile Co, the pool and spa incorporate an infinity/spillway edge and are surrounded by sleek honed concrete slab coping and…

Living so close to the beach, at Freshwater, on Sydney’s relaxed Northern Beaches, these homeowners dreamed of a plunge pool for a quick dip after swimming at the beach and a spa to enjoy in the cooler weather. Their space, a small residential block, was limited, so the pool and spa needed to fit in neatly without being overwhelming. The clever solution, brought to fruition by Urban Escape Landscaping & Pools, was a rectangular 5m-long plunge pool and spa. “This busy family with teenagers wanted space for everyone to enjoy the outdoor areas and entertain and relax in their own home,” explains owner of Urban Escape Landscaping & Pools, Nick McCarthy. “With homeowners looking for low-maintenance gardens and land sizes in Sydney getting smaller, this is a great example of…

Pool tiles are often an afterthought, however for this gorgeous pool, the tiles were an integral part of the design and the very first thing chosen by the couple and architect. “The tiles were selected first and we worked backwards from this,” explains Nick Markogiannakis, managing director of Nemcon Pools. The striking travertine tiles have been used in the pool interior as well as the surrounds. The gaps in the tiles line up perfectly with the home, creating an aesthetically pleasing symmetry. The warm-toned tiles are 400mm x 800mm and work well with the earthy colours on the contemporary-style home. The tiles were laid onto a Pasco Buzon Pedestal system, which is quite different to traditional paving. A concrete base with draining is set up, then the pavers are fastened…

Rainwise Pools Melbourne has always been focused on sustainable pools and provides a huge range of water-and energy-conservation product options for new pool owners. This project, however, was a little different. From the outset, these environmentally conscious owners were determined to make all pool decisions based not only on obtaining an amazing-looking pool, but also one that is fully sustainable. Everything to do with this project — from water tanks to the pool location, height, sanitation system and even the pool fence location — was all carefully considered. A deliberate decision was made to only select the very best energy and water efficiencies to run this pool long term. “We believe this is our first true zero-water-wastage pool project,” says Rainwise Pools Melbourne. “Even the backwash water is recycled and…

Spa Electrics is excited to introduce the latest technology in outdoor lighting Wi-Ficontrollers, the LiT YARD. This advanced system allows you to have full control of your pool lights from the touch of a button. The LiT YARD smartphone app provides the opportunity to completely personalise your outdoor space with a kaleidoscope of colours at your fingertips. There is no mood that can’t be achieved through this system. Consisting of the LiT YARD app, LiT HUB Wi-Fibridge and LiT YARD4 transformer, the LiT YARD system gives you complete control of your pool lights via your internet connection. The system is also compatible with smart voice products such as Alexa and Google Home, enhancing your home’s automation capabilities. The LiT YARD controller system off ers a number of advanced features, including…

CLEVER POOLS UTILISE WATER-SAVING AND WATER-HARVESTING DEVICES Rainwise Pools Melbourne is not only a pool shop, but a business offering complete water solutions and sustainable practices. Its mutli-award-winning, purpose-built pool shop and pool selection centre offers a hands-on shopping experience with working displays. Rainwise provides clever pools that utilise water-saving and water-harvesting devices to not only save water, but also minimise costs through reduced chemical, energy and water use. Browse through the company’s extensive range of beautifully crafted pools at 1113-1123 Sydney Road, Coburg North, or visit rainwisepoolsmelbourne.com.au A SUPERSIZED BRUSH ENGINEERED FOR BIG POOLS AND STUBBORN BLACK SPOT Waterco has tripled the typical bristle brush to help owners of large pools and commercial cleaning teams to remove stubborn black spot and algae. The new 450mm-wide head has an ergonomic…

More and more homeowners are choosing a saltwater chlorination system for their swimming pool. The main difference between the standard chlorine system and saltwater chlorination is the way in which the pool is sanitised. Instead of using chlorine tablets and shock, it uses a chlorine generator. Simply put, the saltwater generator consists of a control box and a salt cell. The salt cell has metal plates connected to the control box. The control box sends an electrical charge to the plates, which creates chlorine through a process called electrolysis. As pool water passes through the salt cell, the salt in the water is turned into hypochlorous acid. This is the same component that is produced when any chlorine is added to pool water, whether you use sticks, tablets, granular or…

This year, The Block was very different as the contestants had to navigate through harsh Melbourne COVID restrictions towards the end of their projects. Nevertheless, all five couples produced outstanding outdoor spaces and swimming pools. This season, each of the five homes was from a different era and the couples were encouraged to highlight their home’s heritage, whether through design decisions, materials, colour palette, furniture or artwork. When it came to the pool and outdoor spaces, the couples had a bit more freedom with their designs, given the rear of the houses were new extensions and all had standalone studio garages. Franklin Landscape & Design took on the challenge of building all five of the swimming pools, as well as creating the design of two of the projects. Take a…

When viewing this completed lower North Shore project in Sydney, it is difficult to visualise the enormous issues that arose during the building approval stage. “The steeply sloping site posed problems as the project could only be designed with a substantially elevated swimming pool and was therefore in direct conflict with council planning policy,” explains John Storch, principal of A Total Concept Landscape Architects + Swimming Pool Designers. “In addition, the adjacent property owners organised a neighbourhood petition to object to the proposal. We negotiated with council for more than a year to get the project approved in the form desired rather than compromise on a design that would ultimately not work as well for our clients or their property. “Once approved, we helped our clients with materials and functions…

The sheer beauty of this Mount Martha location is undeniable, however with such a stunning location came a sloping and awkward site, with lots of rock excavation required to create the superb finished product. Coastal Pools & Spas rose to the challenge to design and build this gorgeous rectangular 11m-long pool, boasting clean, sharp and modern lines and long seating areas that allow the homeowners to relax and look out over the glorious bay. According to Steve Lord, the owner of Coastal Pools & Spas, the homeowners — a professional couple — requested a low-maintenance, easy-care pool design they could use anytime of the year. “We consulted with the clients and understood their requirements. The process really was plain sailing,” says Steve. “We had a good client relationship throughout.” Coastal…

One of the many benefits of building in Sydney’s Hills District is the select number of large blocks that is available. And with a spacious site comes the opportunity to have a generous-size pool, which is exactly what these homeowners wanted. “For their acreage, the homeowners envisaged a large resort-style pool with wow factor and something that would look amazing both during the day and at night,” explains designer Gavin Bazley of Aquastone Pools and Landscapes. “It had to have a heated spa for year-round use and it needed to be grand in scale to suit the acreage property.” The 15m-long rectangular pool is a focal point of the home and allows the owners to swim laps for exercise, while the 2.5m x 2.5m heated spa is great for relaxing…

The product featured around this pool is Blue Ocean in a random paver (or crazy paver, as it’s also known) form. Blue Ocean is SAI Stone’s branded bluestone, a type of basalt, and its durability, timeless look and colour have made it the go-to outdoor stone product in Melbourne. Instead of regular square- or rectangular-shaped pavers and pool copers, random pavers and copers around a curved pool create a unique look that’s different to any other project. This pool has curved edges, and SAI Stone supplied random-sized pool copers to complete the look. “It’s a different product that’s innovative in its manufacturing process,” explains SAI Stone. “We did the hard work to make the job simple.” SAI Stone pavers and sandstone coping stones are leading options for both swimming-pool and…

Tasman Grey granite has been utilised extensively throughout this outdoor project in Melbourne, not only for coping and paving around the pool, but also for the tiles in the outdoor entertaining space, brought to fruition by Butterworth Landscapes. For Granite Works, this material was an obvious, natural decision. “Granite is a hard-wearing, durable product that looks amazing and requires almost no long-term maintenance,” explains Jordan Taylor, director of Granite Works. “It’s the perfect choice for pool and alfresco areas, so homeowners can entertain guests Tasman Grey granite is available in a range of textures suitable for almost any application. For this particular project, Sabo Design opted for a Flamed finish, which boasts incredible slip resistance while retaining a soft texture underfoot. This magnificent modern pool, designed by Sabo Design and…

More and more these days, many of us feel under pressure and time-poor, hence the saying work smarter, not harder. With the latest advances in smart home technology, we can control appliances, lighting, air conditioning, computers, audio systems and much more, literally from anywhere in the world. The same now applies to our swimming pools — they are smarter, more efficient and packed full of amazing features. Instead of toiling for hours balancing chemicals and cleaning, you can simplify your pool maintenance at the touch of a button. Whether building or revamping your current swimming pool, consider upgrading the design to incorporate smart pool capabilities. To make your pool smart, you can purchase hardware that will enable you to control and monitor your pool using an app downloaded to your…

Through our many years in the industry, Norfolk Pools has streamlined our construction process. Our seven-stage schedule allows us to complete projects in a timely manner and ensure quality control over every step of the way. STAGE ONE The construction process begins with the lodgement of engineering drawings and approval of plans, followed by coordinating a site meeting to mark out the pool and arrange a suitable excavation time and date. Engineering, council approval and construction takes approximately 12 weeks, depending on the size of the project. Any additional landscaping extends the programme. STAGE TWO The excavation stage is generally five to eight hours for a standard dig and may involve an excavator, trucks and bobcat. In most cases, excavation will be completed within a day however, tight access, small…

Requesting seamless flow and a great use of space high in the skies, this young family has received all they wanted and more from their new highrise rectangular pool in an inner-northern riverside suburb of Brisbane. Designed and built by Beau Corp Aquatics & Construction to complement a modern new home on a tight city site, the stunning podium-level rectangular pool even offers an acrylic glass viewing window! Their 12.5m-long geometric lap pool is also fully tiled in Aqua Blend 23mm glass mosaics, which can be admired in all their glory through the glass viewing window. For Beau Corp Aquatics & Construction, the success of this project was a result of the excellent communication with the clients, who couldn’t be happier with their cutting-edge aquatic design. Specialising in the design…

Landscaping is an essential consideration when building a new home and is required by most councils and developers as a necessary part of the approval process. This, along with a desire to offer people a truly complete home and finished landscaping, is what led award-winning Sydney home builder Wisdom Homes to launch its own pool and landscaping company, Wisdom Pool and Landscapes, in 2011. Having the two companies work in conjunction to design and build homes and outdoor spaces enables the teams to create a custom-designed, new lifestyle for each client, as well as provide a more streamlined building process. Wisdom Pools and Landscapes offers its clients many options when it comes to swimming pools, including custom concrete and a range of fibreglass packages, and also has experience in pool…

A steep site has the potential to be very problematic when it comes to the design and construction of a pool. However, Artesian Pools embraced the various challenges of a steep site and used them to its advantage when building a pool for this young Sydney family. The homeowners requested an outdoor entertaining area that made use of their very steep backyard, situated in Coogee, a gorgeous beachside suburb in Sydney’s eastern suburbs. Their spectacular rectangular in-ground concrete pool was designed in conjunction with the architect’s vision and brought to life by Artesian Pools. “The clients had a backyard that they were not utilising as it was such a steep block,” explains Zeb Rodrigues of Artesian Pools. “Now they have a pool that they can use year-round, with a new…

At the heart of this magnificent property is an impressive infinity glass-tiled wet-edge swimming pool and inset spa, built by Kiama Pools. The 11.5m-long pool’s raised position creates a fantastic visual effect and is the centre showpiece of the garden. The elevation of the rectangular pool forms the fabulous wet-edge tiled feature wall that also doubles as a pool fence. “We created a swimming pool and spa that were the main focal points of the outdoor space,” explain Tim Sprague and Stephen Lloyd, coowners of Kiama Pools. “As a result, the pool and spa really deliver the ‘wow’ factor in this beautiful property.” Minimal upkeep is required, with features such as in-floor cleaning and full automation ensuring ease of maintenance, allowing the homeowners plenty of time to relax and enjoy…

It’s not every day you walk or drive past a house and see a pool positioned in a front yard, but at this property in Collaroy, on Sydney’s gorgeous Northern Beaches, that’s exactly what you’ll find. “Our pool was built in the front yard, over a detention rainwater tank,” explains the homeowner, a builder. “It pokes out through the front setback, which is unusual, and the councils don’t like it, but this was the only place for the pool. It turns out that it’s actually a good position, as the pool gets a lot of sun, from 9am until sunset.” The family, with three children, do a lot of entertaining with other families, so they requested two alfresco areas and a barbecue in addition to their 7m-long pool and spa.…

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, though. 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…