It takes time to create a masterpiece. In fact, the concept for this Central Pennsylvania custom gunite pool was about seven years in the making! But as you can see, the end result was well worth the wait. The story behind this particular pool is quite interesting. By how natural the pool and hardscaping fit the backyard, you would likely never guess the various troubleshooting we had to do to make this space possible.
We first met this client when Aquavisions was contracted to complete some renovations on an extremely large pool that had been installed at the client’s residence at the time. During the planning process for the renovation project, the client had quickly mentioned that if they ever decided to move and “downsize,” they would want to build a very small pool – even just a large spa – that the family could enjoy year round. “Would you be able to do something like that?” was the question. “Of course. We can do anything you want!” was our answer.
The Inspiration
Fast forward to 2016. The renovation client had decided it was time for a change. They purchased a new home and called Aquavisions in to design the backyard oasis of their dreams. The idea was to create a small pool or spa and also incorporate outdoor living spaces. As we do with all clients, we listened carefully and helped to compile a “wish list” of features that were important to include in the final design.
On the list was a pool or spa that could be used year round, an outdoor fireplace, multiple components of a functional outdoor kitchen, as well as various seating and dining areas. Additionally, it was important to the client to have patios around the pool for lounging and a television and sound system to entertain. The list was pretty extensive!
The Challenge
Believe it or not, incorporating all of the features from the client’s wish list into the final design wasn’t the greatest challenge we faced. Rather, it was the size and shape of the lot that proved to be our biggest hurdle. Additionally, the grading in the backyard had quite a bit of sloping elevations. There were not many “flat” spots in the yard to make designing the project easy. Fortunately, we tend to look at things a little differently and view tricky yards as opportunities instead of challenges.
To our advantage, the client desired a small pool/large spa, which was conducive to the lot size. We were able to develop a multi-tiered design that incorporated all of their desired features into one comprehensive structure that worked with, not against, the grading of the yard.
After a few tweaks and changes to some of the details on the design, the client signed off and we were ready to get started. The design phase of this project alone took approximately 6 months. While this is not typical of all of our projects, it’s a testament to our commitment to put in as much time as it takes to get the job done right. We pride ourselves on giving clients exactly what they envision, even if it’s more challenging and time-intensive.
The Result
To achieve this end result, it took a village! There were multiple trades and craftsmen involved in this project to make it truly magnificent. We worked together with the client to coordinate, and in turn work beside all contractors that were selected for this project to ensure a seamless process. In about 6 months, what was once a bare backyard was transformed into the exact design we promised our client.
The finished product is a luxuriously oversized spa that can be used well beyond the typical open and close dates for pools in Central Pennsylvania. The spa has 8 jets and an automatic pool cover so that it can be used year round. There is a granite bar top that is shared by the spa and the living space. There are also heaters mounted under the roof of the structure to extend the useable season well into the fall. We checked off every item on the wish list, resulting another very happy client and another award winning pool. This project went on to receive NESPA’s Gold Award/Judge’s Best of Competition!
What’s your favorite feature of this pool? Better yet, what does your vision of a “dream pool” look like? If you’re ready to upgrade your backyard space to an outdoor oasis, let’s start a conversation. Every one of our designs is unique to our clients’ property and lifestyle. Let us help you envision the potential in your backyard!