Swimming pools are just one piece of an often-complicated backyard project. Only after understanding your “wants” and the layout of your existing landscape, architecture, and hardscapes can we begin to focus on how to incorporate a design that looks like it has always been there. We start by building our “canvas” in our software exactly as it is in reality. This includes onsite preliminary visits to gather scaled dimensions of the house, terrain data, and confirming public data on setbacks and building lines. We assess natural waterflow, visible soil conditions, and discuss how to incorporate the preexisting natural beauty of the yard.
We often get the question, can I even have a pool? Some backyards are easier to design than others, and complexity always challenges the creative mind. In some cases, a pool is either not feasible financially or functionally, but these are rare cases. As builders and designers, we won’t design something if we don’t think we can build it! We treat all backyards and architectural styles with the same methodical process. First, we try to understand what is permanent, then we collaborate with the customer and other contractors on project feasibility for all alterations in the yard (not just the pool) and understand and itemize the wants and needs of our clients. A major goal for us is to understand our customer’s dreams and concerns and collaborate with you to make opportunities out of these challenges as a part of the design process.
Once we input the “as-is” canvas into our software, we start to focus on the Site Plan. This is our first creative step in designing your swimming pool project, and we want your input! During our onsite visit, we will discuss the formation of the site plan, and begin to build the dimensional relationships between your home and poolscape. For example, will it be close to the backdoor or isolated in the middle of the yard? We also focus on the other areas of the yard and how to best utilize them. In addition to the swimming pool, this could include locating the ideal placement of outdoor living spaces, fire pits, kitchens, walkways, and entertainment areas, just to name a few. Let’s not forget the privacy landscaping and pool fence! With a site plan, we can start to organize how we plan to integrate all elements of the design into one fluid project rendition.