Grand pool and spa project in Belton, Texas

Oqq 209 AqWhen the owners of this 500-acre property came to Lew Akins, president of Ocean Quest Pools in Belton, Texas, to finish the look of their weekend home, they told him they wanted something unique. And unique they got.

"This pool is designed with the water at the same level as the 1,800-square-foot patio," says Akins. "The house was 5 feet above grade in the back, and the client wanted it to come straight out. So the whole pool is basically elevated 5 feet above the existing ground."

The pier-and-beam system supports a two-level catch pool, complete with spa, and a main pool with a 65-foot-long negative edge. The interior is green glass tile, with certain sections finished in pebble.

"The upper pool, which is the one with the hot tub in it, is 2 feet deep, and it's also a wading pool," adds Akins. "The spa is about 3 inches under the water during normal operation. And unless you are upstairs, you can't see it. It appears invisible."

It takes seven pumps, four filters, a heater and an air blower to operate the project. Ocean Quest also used 100 tons of Oklahoma flagstone and 40 tons of moss rock to finish the look. The waterscape features an outdoor kitchen, complete with an infrared barbecue and fireplace, a fog system and fire pit area.

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