Magical views
Our initial meeting with this client was at an amazing site on the side of a hill with views across Melbourne. Our client wanted to know if he had room for a pool as there were restrictions with access and a building envelope. Although there was no house on site our initial thoughts were to try to encapsulate the amazing view with a pool. Due to the levels it meant the pool would need to be installed around 4.0m above ground level. Our client was open to the idea but unsure of how or if it would work.
We designed a 7.4m x 3.2m swimming pool with a full length seat overlooking the city. An infinity edge was added to the design to enhance the view beyond. As the pool was to be constructed in mid-air and on the side of a steep embankment we had to consider how it would be supported and anchored. A footings system of pads, strip footings, core filled blockwork and Bondek formwork was designed and adopted as the best method of construction.
Construction of the pool was delayed until the house had been almost fully completed. Although this made access more difficult as it was completely via the embankment it assisted in locating the pool.
The pool is fully tiled with a white mosaic tile picking up the blue reflection of the sky. This assists in adding light to the house through the windows overlooking the pool and creates a defined infinity edge with the stark line a contrast to the view beyond. A bluestone coping provides the border to the pool with decking linking the pool, house and alfresco area.
Rather than installing a full wet wall to the infinity edge a formed gutter was adopted. This meant the external walls of the pool could be rendered in the same colour as the house for continuity. The pool is relatively simple to maintain with fully automatic salt chlorination and automatic levelling.
The success in this design can be seen by the way in which our initial vision was adopted and followed through to enhance the appearance of the property and create an ongoing sense of amazement when one enters the house. Although a wonderful new home the pool design and integration takes it to the next level. This is certainly a pool with a view.