When the homeowners asked for an outdoor space that would provide an abundance of entertainment and recreation along with a memorable design, they initially wanted the pool elevated about 10 feet above grade to the first-floor level. Engineering that feat, however, proved to be budget breaking, so builder George Brown and designer Virginia Conlon developed plans for a groundbreaking alternative: a fiberglass pool installed with a perimeter overflow.
"It took a great deal of research and innovative design to make the first working perimeter-overflow with a slot configuration on a fiberglass pool," says Conlon. "[Brown] wanted the entire system to be as maintenance free as the fiberglass pool itself. We incorporated 6-inch plumbing and a 900-gallon surge tank to accommodate overflow and the surge capacity that may be needed on any given day of use."
The homeowners entertain quite a bit with neighborhood parties and business soirees, but they also have older children who make constant use of the pool. They wanted a pool that would optimize the marsh view while not devouring the entire yard. They needed a design that would work with the residence, a new home built to reflect traditional low-country aesthetics.
"We chose travertine for its light coloring with the expectation that it would keep the deck cool," says Conlon. The symmetrical deck stretches to the house where it creates a serving and dining area under the porch in a spot used previously for storage.
Fiber-optic laminar jets help the poolscape transform from day to night. "During the day, the children frolic through the streams of water for hours," says Conlon. At night, the lighted arches of water create the ambience for a poolside party.
"I love the two dramatically different settings this pool embodies," says Conlon. "During the daytime, the pool reflects the serene and utter beauty of the marsh view beyond. During the evening - with the laminar jets and fiber-optic lighting - the pool sets a modern and sophisticated scene. The customer truly enjoys everything about this pool and entertains there often."
What the judges said:
"This is a dynamite job for around $100,000." ROBERT NONEMAKER, principal of Outerspaces, specializing in landscape and watershape design and construction, and Robert Nonemaker Exterior Designs, a watershape consultancy.
"The clean lines let the landscape stand out. The natural environment, the marsh, is the star." LEE ANNE WHITE, photographer, landscape designer and writer; former editor-in-chief of Fine Gardening Magazine and author of numerous books including Taunton's Pool Idea Book.
"The pool creates great reflections. The simplicity of the project is beautiful; it's not cluttered." DAVID TISHERMAN, principal and founder of David Tisherman's Visuals, principal and founder of Genesis 3 Design Group, and an award-winning designer and teacher.
