Feel like summer is getting to you and a splash in the relaxing waters of a swimming pool is just the thing you need right now? Yes, we all do! That’s what brings us to the day’s topic. Especially with the onset of this much-dreaded season, the need to cool off at any given chance is of prime importance. And what better way than to dunk yourself entirely into a nice cool pool of water? What makes the topic of a home swimming pool even better is the assurance that you can do just that in the comfort of your own home. Yes, the home swimming pool is largely becoming more than just a statement piece in your villa. Be it a Sunday brunch or a late night swim, the home pool is sure to excite the nerves.
With that in mind, the home swimming pool is no longer constricted to elite luxury homes. With the advent of newer technologies and space saving modular pools, even smaller homes yearn to carve a space for their personal pool. Readily available modules can be placed directly into slots earmarked for it. Of course, the larger homes that can afford the luxury of the sprawling pools are defi nitely what everyone would aspire to own, but the newer approaches to the home swimming pool are fast turning the industry into a very competitive and enterprising vertical to the general housing requirements. In this article, I am going to be covering some of the various options available when it comes to home swimming pools.
The Contemporary Pool
The contemporary pool is usually termed also as an architectural pool, an all-time favourite and no brainer when it comes to complementing it with the rest of the villa. The rectangular, straight-edged pools are an option for only a few. A beautiful deck and well-manicured landscapes complement these pools. More often than not, these pools refl ect the architecture of the house and are usually placedd by the architect strategically to do so.
Coming to the usage and practicality of these pools, owing to their sheer size and scale, maintenance is a full time affair. Most often, these pools work as show pools more than for their utility itself. Of course, that doesn’t stop the owner from dunking in once in a while.
The Freeform Pool
This is another option for those with larger properties to their disposal. These are basically your conventional pools with a free fl owing edge mimicking the patterns a wave makes. These shapes are almost completely derived from the context of the site or based on the designer’s perspectives. A nice stone decking or waterfall will complement these pools beautifully. Unlike the contemporary pools, these pools, if placed in isolation without the rest of the building, do not seem lost in their surroundings. The landscape around the pool, like its free edges, are also kept free-spirited. With lush green landscapes with a tropical theme, these pools can transform even the most boring spaces into warm tropical havens.
The Recreational Pool
Not everyone with a large property may have the budget for a show pool. This leads us to the family home pool. These get used the most and are generally fi lled with the best memories. Think barbeques, kid’s birthday parties or just your general Sunday afternoons. These pools are themed around water parks, only smaller in scale. Slides, waterfalls and bridges across the pool are what you can look for in these pools. They are not necessarily very large, but you can be sure to get a good game of water polo while in it. If you like to entertain and are having friends over, this pool is ideal. Owing to its smaller size, maintaining it can be done in-house, and due its constant usage, it is usually less susceptible to problems.
The Infinity Pool
These are perfect for that gorgeous evening shot that sees the water vanishing into thin air. The infinity pool, or vanishing edge pools, can be placed from terraces to waterfronts. Have a great background that you want to frame? Let a vanishing edge pool do its magic. Always custom-built by the architect, this pool needs to take account of its foreground, background and surroundings, keeping in mind all the levels around it.
A terrace vanishing pool may throw emphasis on the vast volume of the sky above, while an infi nity pool at the ground level tends to throw attention to the background of that scene. A clever way of placing an infi nity pool at the ground fl oor would be to put it against a waterbody, creating an illusion of continuity. This is defi nitely one of the more expensive home swimming pools, but if done right, it has some remarkable results.
The Lap Pool
The lap pool, as the name suggests, is built for fi tness and health purposes. Ideally around 50 feet or more, these pools are rectangular and narrow and can be indoors or outdoors, wherever the space permits. Some clever ways of installing these pools are in the setbacks of the plot where regular construction is not permitted. However, make sure you take care of protecting your neighbour’s compound wall foundation before digging for your pool at your site edge. These pools, with its long linear shape, can be very aesthetic as well. Leave it to the architect to fi gure how this pool can complement the building.
The Natural Pool
My personal favourite, the natural pool is the perfect way of blending the landscape into your pool. Like any other ‘in ground’ pool, the natural pool can be designed in any free-fl owing shape as one pleases. Boulders, waterfalls and other features can be added for its aesthetics. What sets the natural pool apart from the other ‘in ground’ pools is that it uses natural processes to filter its water, making it a chlorine-free environment. Most natural pools are lined with a layer of rubber of reinforced polyethylene.
A separate zone (within the extents of the pool) is equipped with aquatic landscaping, which works as a natural purifi cation system before sending the water back into the main pool. Unlike a pond, which uses similar systems to maintain a purifi cation balance in nature, the natural pool is a more effi cient system in which the water is clear enough to see through while blending into the natural edges of the pool.
Although this pool might cost the same as your conventional pool, it offers the refuge of naturally filtered waters to swim in and not forgetting the next to natural setting.
The Spa Pool
This particular one has been on the rise off late with recession hitting hard on most home owners. The spa pool is a small home pool that could almost resemble a hot tub or Jacuzzi. Easily customizable and low budgeted, these pools have a great future ahead. With parcels of land getting smaller by the year, these pools are the perfect answer to the water body in your home for a quick plunge. Use it to entertain or even to cool off on a hot summer’s day. These pools do not cost as much and are very low on maintenance. Add some Jacuzzi nozzles and you’ve got yourself a real keeper.
The Endless Pool
This one is a purist! Its sole purpose is for exercise and fitness. It comes with an off-board pump mechanism that makes waves in the pool, allowing one to swim against the tide. Hence, effectively, the pool can be as small as 6 feet wide and 10 feet long. It is easy on the pockets and a very practical addition to your home, without taking away too much space. Work it well into your interiors with a few lights and good tiling and you have yourself an indoor waterbody.
Remember to keep the context of the pool well in mind before starting to design your next home. Like anything else, a swimming pool also comes with various riders. Types, designs, shapes, sizes, budgets, and available material are some of the factors to consider while making the decision. Remember, just like your home, a pool is as permanent and irreversible, and if designed properly with the right context, it can be the most versatile element of your home. So keep these pointers in mind before you take the next plunge!
