The 2024 Million Dollar Pool Design Challenge is Open for Submissions

This year will mark the fifth year that Reid Schindler, decorated award-winning watershape designer, and Mike Farley, award-winning pool designer of more than 30 years, have collaborated with the International Pool | Spa | Patio (PSP) Expo to find the top industry designers with their Million Dollar Pool Design Challenge.

Five finalists, including one young professional, will be chosen by a panel of judges to go to the PSP Expo in Dallas this fall, making presentations of their renderings on November 13 during “The Million Dollar Pool Design Challenge” Conference Program Session on the show floor. 

Submissions are now open, and entries are due by October 6, 2024. See below for more information, or follow this link. 

Scenario: 

The clients have been working hard for years and have decided to buy a second home in the hills of Tennessee. Although they would have preferred to build a new home, an existing home came to the market that they couldn't pass up. With great bones to the house and a fantastic view from the lot, which was most important, they have moved forward with a full renovation of the home.

The home renovation is complete but leaves a lot to be desired on the outside. Although there was an existing pool on site, the clients have chosen to do a full tear out and rebuild, as the pool area is one of the most important parts of their vision. With this being the clients second home, they will not be there full time to maintain the pool but are looking for something perfect for the space.

They hope to host family events multiple times of the year and to eventually pass it down to their kids to make their own memories in. They have three kids of their own (ages 25, 30 and 34). They also have four grandkids (age two, four and seven). The husband is an ex athlete who loves outdoor activities such as kayaking. He is more into the native environment and boulders and can always be found on a golf course. The wife, however, prefers the clean lines and modern organic feel that she has seen at several of the resort spas on their travels. Although they love entertaining, their average gathering would never have more than 20 to 25 people, so the space should be adequate but not overwhelming.

Aesthetics and View:

Want to take advantage of the natural topography and views. 

Elements to Include: 

• A space for activity but also relaxation
• Front drive revamp with an inviting walk into the home
• Hot tub
• Pool
• Outdoor element(s) — rope swing, climbing wall, zipline, etc.
• Pool deep enough for diving
• Fire pit — seating for 15
• Dining space — seating for 12
• Trampoline
• Specialty fire feature from Fire By Design (floating fire, custom fire art, custom torches, infinity-edge fire bar, etc...) (We will be awarding an extra 5% bonus on the project overall rating if you submit your concept to Fire by Design and discuss the feasibility of design, manufacturing and install.)
• Front drive and entry design
• Parking for three to four cars
• Secondary structure  — guest bedroom — bathroom — pool bath — kitchenette (limited to a 1,200-square-foot footprint)
• Ledge Lounger furniture element
• Native environment and boulders
• Modern organic elements
• Sun ledge
• Putting green

Follow this link to register for the contest.