A little goes a long way: why this simple, but elegant, pool became one builder's pride and joy

Pool & Spa News, Oct 15, 2004 by Joe Vassallo

If a pool is truly architecturally engineered, it will have a balance and harmony that's difficult to put into words. It may not be grandiose--no fancy tile, statutes or waterfeatures--but for some indescribable reason, people know it's right.

That's why I believe this is one of the most architecturally appropriate pools I've ever designed.

It sits on a small backyard overlooking a golf course, with the Las Vegas Strip in the background. You can feel the harmony when you stand in the backyard. It's not the first negative edge ever built or the first pool built out of the ground, but this project takes on a life of its own.

From one source

My client is a single, GQ-type male executive who drives a Mercedes and dresses stylishly. He wanted a pool to match his lifestyle. I knew clean lines and understated materials would work best.

Once I reviewed the property, I realized my design wouldn't be difficult to deliver. As I turned from left to right, I could see the arcing panoramic view. I thought it would be great if the pool could follow the same sight lines, especially because there were large windows in the back of the house.

To facilitate the view, I wanted the pool's length to sweep from one side of the yard to the other. I decided to pick a point of origin inside the house and make an arc from that point. Every line extending from the house would go back to that point of origin. To choose the point of origin, I figured where the outside lines of the pool and spa had to be, and drew back until the lines intersected.

A vanishing edge was a must. This would visually connect the small yard with the vista beyond, making everything feel more expansive. Charcoal black tile covers the vanishing-edge weir and step-down spillway coming out of the spa. We wanted the interior as clean as possible, so we used a black pebble finish without a tile line.

I raised the pool 18 inches to create drama and take advantage of the view. We used emerald green slate on the face and cap of the raised walls, and the steps leading into the pool.

The client didn't want anything too bright or overpowering. To accomplish this request, we put a single incandescent white light inside the pool. It faces away from the house, of course, for a simple colorless glow.

Symmetry was important on this job. Therefore, I bookended the spa spillway with two fire pots. Sometimes I like to spill water out of fire pots, but the client thought the spa spillway provided enough falling water. A staircase on the spa side leads up the raised wall and down into the pool, with an equal number of steps inside and out.

Identical planters flank the steps leading into the pool on the other side. A fire pot placed near the fence in a sunken patio area lines up with the outside pool wall.

Final result: an aquascape that satisfies the senses on many levels.

Joe Vassallo, CBP

Vassallo is president of Paragon Pools in Las Vegas. He has been a builder for 16 years.