Table of contents for No. 54 in Poolside

When it comes to choosing the right pool builder, it pays to compare beyond the photos. Crystal Pools has been in business for more than 60 years and builds pools with the highest level of craftsmanship and attention to detail. WHY CHOOSE A CONCRETE POOL? Concrete swimming pools are slightly more expensive than fibreglass or vinyl liners, however there are many advantages to choosing a concrete pool. Flexibility: Concrete pools offer more flexibility as they are built to suit your unique location. Any shape, size or depth and can be designed to meet your specific requirements. Contrary to common belief, concrete swimming pools can be built both in-ground and out-of-ground. Individuality: Because they are so flexible, concrete swimming pools allow you to add special features such as islands, steps and…

The overall geometric style of this magnificent pool design beautifully reflects the harbour, garden and house lights at night and mirrors the vegetation of the gardens during the day. Together, the outdoor living areas, pool and gardens make a bold design statement that showcases the stylish contemporary home to create “A Total Concept”. “We were engaged by the owners of this property to design then manage the integrated pool, boatshed and outdoor living areas,” recalls principal John Storch of A Total Concept Landscape Architects & Swimming Pool Designers. “We undertook the designs, obtained building approval, provided detailed specifications for all aspects of the project, and recommended and organised the pool builder and landscape contractor. We then undertook the management of the project’s construction for our clients.” The extensive infinity edge…

It’s a dilemma for any homeowner contemplating the addition of a pool — incorporate a large pool without much room for anything else, or have a smaller pool that allows for the inclusion of other backyard essentials? Fortunately for these homeowners, they have been able to experience the joys of a pool without sacrificing other important aspects of a backyard. “We worked with clients Damian and Helen every step of the way, from design through to completion,” explains Outside Developments’ owner-operator Lachlan Scammell. The couple have three primary school-aged children and the kids were also involved in the decision-making process, making it a family affair. “We find that the kids are often a big consideration in most pools that we design and we enjoy making them part of the process,”…

If you have ever entertained fantasies of your ultimate pool, it’s always nice to seek inspiration from others who have pursued their own dream pool. This dazzling resortstyle pool was commissioned by a family in the western Sydney suburb of Luddenham. The five-month construction of the pool happened shortly after a new house build by Rawson Homes. To call it resort-style living might be an understatement. This amazing white-pebble pool is positioned off its own purpose-designed alfresco entertaining area. Adjoining the main pool is a separate pond featuring water bubblers. The feature pond has a fully tiled interior in a darker blue tile. Within the pool fence boundary is the home’s outdoor room, partitioned from the pool by retractable screens. At first sight in its semi-rural urban setting, the scale…

AT A GLANCE Pool designed by: Kiama Pools Pool built by: Kiama Pools Size of pool: 9m x 3.5m, spa 2m x 2m Heating: Viron gas and Austral solar Cleaning: Dolphin Robotic M4 and Viron sanitiser automatic doser Filtration: Astral CA400 filter with glass media Paving and coping: Limestone pavers Tiles: Light-blue mosaics Lighting: LED Fence: Glass These Melbourne homeowners with children envisaged a swimming pool and spa that could not only be enjoyed by the whole family, but would also showcase their beautiful home and provide a stunning backdrop to the main living areas. Simple in shape, the pool doesn’t detract from the stunning house design, instead adding to its beauty to form the perfect package. “To complement the home, the pool was constructed along the main living areas,…

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…

Enjoying long summer days and nights through the creation of a consummate wet and dry entertainment area was a priority for this young family. Designed by COS Design and built and installed by Domain Pools, their large pool is complete with swim-out, ledge, spa and deck area and delivers fun for all ages. High-end finishes continue with an expansive undercover entertaining area housing an open fire and outdoor kitchen with an intricate crazy paving feature. Plantings frame different zones while also providing privacy. As a highlight, the project incorporates various products from Granite Works, including bluestone coping with a 100mm drop-down face, a bluestone crazy paving feature area in front of the fireplace, and bluestone block water spouts in the pool. All bluestone was produced to custom sizes by Granite…

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 features advanced technology, has been developed for Australian conditions and has proven to be effective in even the most demanding conditions. 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…

The SPASA Awards of Excellence showcase achievements in construction, design, manufacturing, supply, products, retail and service. Below is a snapshot of some of the standout gold, silver, bronze and highly commended projects from both the NSW/ACT and National 2019 awards. NSW POOL OF THE YEAR AND POOL & SPA COMBINATION — CONCRETE Gold: Urban Escape urbanescape.com.au NSW COMMERCIAL PROJECT OF THE YEAR AND CONCRETE COMMERCIAL POOL UP TO $250,000 Gold: Suncatcher Pools suncatcherpools.com.au NSW FREEFORM POOL UP TO $100,000 Gold: Suncatcher Pools NSW ENCLOSED / INDOOR POOL Gold: Local Pools & Spas NATIONAL POOL LANDSCAPE DESIGN Highly Commended: The Other Side Landscapes NATIONAL LIGHTING FEATURE Gold: The Other Side Landscapes NATIONAL CONCRETE POOL OVER $100,000 Highly Commended: Graziani Pools & Landscapes…

THE GIST: • Providing swim schools with healthy water and perfect pool temperature • Glass pearl filter media produces outstanding water quality • Reduce backwash time and frequency while saving water and chemical costs THE SETTING: Aquatics Down Under Swim School in New South Wales, Australia, is a popular facility owned and operated by Melissa and Neil Rickwood. Melissa is regarded as a leading aquatic educator who has conducted learn-toswim courses internationally and presented at numerous industry conferences throughout Australia and New Zealand. In 2018, Aquatics Down Under received the prestigious AUSTSWIM NSW Recognised Swim Centre Award to acknowledge its passionate teachers, innovative programs and dedication to catering to students with special needs. THE CHALLENGE: Designing an aquatic environment that satisfies the community’s evolving needs After the NSW state government’s…

Located in Blairgowrie, a seaside village on the Mornington Peninsula, this contemporary coastal rectangular pool and square-shaped spa on a corner block have completely transformed the backyard. The homeowners envisaged a space for entertaining and relaxing, and Aquarius Pools, which built the 8m-long pool and spa, has more than delivered, with alfresco dining adjacent to the pool on the deck and outdoor kitchen. “The beautiful blue hues of this pool and spa are inviting, and stunning slate paving results in a gorgeous water feature from the house, deck and adjacent firepit,” says Chris Jackson, managing director of Aquarius Pools. “The pool, spa and garden have completely transformed the space.” “The intention was to create a contemplative private garden around the new pool,” says landscape designer Fiona Brockhoff, of Fiona Brockhoff…

Presented with a vacant site that offered a steep slope from front to back, Jade Pools designed this pool and spa project to take advantage of the slope by creating a negative edge that looks down towards the scenic bush views at the rear. The homeowners, in Sydney’s Hills District, have young children and a busy lifestyle and their modern rectangular pool with step area and spa allows them to entertain or simply relax and enjoy the tranquil views of the trees. This was all made possible by Jade Pools, whose sales consultant provided 3D images of how the 10m-long pool, spa and catch tank would look on their block. “This was a great way to give the client a visual interpretation of how the construction would look once completed,”…

This spectacular 16m-long wet deck pool and spa are situated in one of Mount Eliza’s most desirable pieces of real estate and the large scale of the entire build definitely makes the project a real showstopper. Perfect for entertaining many guests, there’s plenty of room here for everyone in and around the glass-tiled rectangular pool and spa. “The brief from the client was to build a swimming pool and spa to suit the grand scale of their property,” explains Steve Lord of Coastal Pools & Spas. “We believe that, through a combination of design and materials, we were able to match these perfectly.” The design concept stemmed from the idea of reflections and water “disappearing” through hidden slots. The unique wet deck design gives a seamless look and is particularly…

Positioned in the corner of a backyard in Melbourne’s Balwyn North, this 35m-diameter pool/spa is a complete circle, with a negative edge flowing to an overflow tank. Far from your standard rectangular design, the pool has a stunning fully tiled Ezarri mosaic external wall and has been cleverly designed, along with the overflow tank and landscaping. “This pool is visually appealing and tranquil within its surrounds,” says Adam Moore of Swimmore Pools, who built the pool for homeowner Elton. “It is a pool, spa and spectacular garden/water feature all in one, tiled in quality European glass mosaics and with a beautiful overflow wall.” In addition, the timber decking, bluestone coping, stacked stone walls and glass fencing complement the sophisticated space. The design also considers the environment, as the variable-speed filter…

The key to the success of this Mosman project is that the pool and landscape were designed and installed together, integrating the pool, landscape design and build with the new home. “The external finishes were designed to match that of the luxury new build, both in the landscaping and pool,” explains Adrian Swain of Eco Design. “We worked closely with the designer to ensure the materials ran seamlessly from the interior to the exterior.” The homeowners, a close-knit family of two young professionals and their four school-aged children, envisaged a space where they could spend precious time together on their lower north shore property. For their new build, they requested a large entertaining area for friends and family, plus additional entertaining spaces such as an alfresco, cabana, firepit and sitting…

In this remarkable pool renovation, in a beautiful waterside suburb in Sydney’s south, Antique Stone pool coping has been specifically made to suit the shape of the pool, for both a highly practical and aesthetic finish. For homeowners Andrew and Samantha, it was a natural choice to use Antique Stone as they had known company owner Ian Stott for years. They approached him to work on their pool renovation. “I already knew Andrew as we are both involved with Junior Aussie Rules clubs in Sydney and have been opposing coaches for a number of years,” explains Ian. “When it came to this renovation, Andrew called me and advised what he wanted to do. We met on site and discussed the options, and he realised that there would be lots of…

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 for 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.” Blue Ocean bluestone, granite and many other stones supplied by SAI Stone are leading…

While the kitchen may be the social hub of the home, the swimming pool is the place everyone wants to be when they’re outside. And with such a beautiful pool, spa and cabana combo as this one, the full resort experience is on tap, day and night. Designed by Nick McCarthy, founder of Urban Escape Landscapes & Pools, this trans-seasonal, multi-functional outdoor retreat exceeded expectations and was awarded the SPASA National Pool of the Year 2019. “We were really proud of winning just the NSW award,” he says. “Then to get the national award — we were blown away. I thought the other entries were just stunning so we really weren’t expecting it. I’m so proud of this pool because the owners use it every day. They love it and…

Architecturally designed to complement the updated home, the 12m-long pool was built into a slope, on the side of a hill. The pool was to be mostly used for exercise, and the design more than meets this goal. “It’s fairly unique in that it’s not just a backyard pool; it was purpose built for the homeowners to swim laps regularly,” says owner and principal of East Coast Swimming Pools, Colin Sloggett. Designed to be very energy efficient, the pool is heated daily, with roof panels to assist with energy costs. An Evo heat pump and a fully automated Sunbather pool cover ensure it stays wonderfully warm, whatever the weather. Stone-coloured unglazed matt tiles were chosen to blend well with the travertine coping and vertical exposed wall, while the interior is…

There’s nothing like fleeing from the stresses of everyday life, packing up the car and driving to a holiday house, especially one that has a pool and, if you’re lucky, a spa as well. Situated on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula, the ideal location for a quick getaway, this pool and spa’s design has been inspired by the beauty of its natural coastal surroundings. The design and build process was a three-way collaboration between Sabo Design, Formed Landscapes and Aqua Dreamz, and as a result, the freeform design exudes a distinctly natural feel. “The owners wanted the pool to have aqua-green water, be low maintenance, be part of the existing landscape, a place to hang out after playing tennis, and a spot to cool off after walking back from the beach,” says…

With four children, this family in Carrum, Victoria, were keen for a backyard oasis for both children and adults to enjoy in summer. Their new modern house design revolves around entertaining, so naturally the pool was to also reflect and complement this theme. Following extensive magazine and internet research, the family opted for an in-ground rectangular pool with a NewTechWood splash deck to suit their 620sqm site. Designed by Utopian Building Group and built by OB Pools, their 7m-long concrete pool design features dark-blue mosaic tiles with surrounding bluestone coping, while glass fencing provides an unimpeded view. The pool house overlooking the pool is set up with a bar, TV, toilet, Sonos sound system and outdoor lounges — the perfect spot to unwind after a swim. The large splash deck…

Dazzling to the eye and luxuriously smooth to touch, Blue Glass Pebbles 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 Kettlewell. “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 are happy with the way our product looks, feels and lasts,” says Michael. A combination of…

One of the great benefits of swimming is that it gives your body an all-over workout regardless of your age or fitness ability. From simple laps swum daily to more vigorous aqua aerobics and resistance training, your swimming pool can be a valuable tool to help you stay in shape, both mentally and physically. Even the simplest of water-based exercises in a reduced-gravity environment is beneficial for the body, especially if you experience stiffness or aching muscles. “During stressful and uncertain times, our swimming pools and spas can play an important role in easing anxiety, releasing stress, staying fit, and keeping the kids occupied while they’re home from school and unable to participate in sporting activities,” says Swimart executive officer Rick Graham. Before embarking on an exercise regime, it’s always…

Thanks in part to a generous donation from Spa Electrics, The Next Step (TNS), leader in spinal cord injury recovery, is celebrating its fifth anniversary with the addition of a brand-new wellness hub. The wellness centre features a new level dedicated to the holistic wellness of TNS clients (referred to as athletes) as well as their family and support networks which are an integral component of the athletes’ ongoing recovery. TNS founder Rhiannon Tracey understands the challenges of living with a spinal cord injury as she was diagnosed a C-5 quadriplegic following a swimming pool accident. The new and improved wellness centre features additional rehabilitation areas and a meditation space on a newly constructed second level of the recovery facility. This much-needed new space was only possible thanks to a…