An infinity edge pool, also called a negative edge, zero edge, disappearing edge or vanishing edge pool is a swimming pool that has been designed and constructed to create the illusion of the water extending all the way to the horizon. From the right perspective, the vanishing edge pool seems to stretch on endlessly, and the designer often places the pool strategically so that it appears to merge with a larger body of water, like the ocean or lake beyond. . The infinity pool design concept is said to have originated in Bali, Indonesia, where its inspiration came directly from observing the dramatic effect created by the ubiquitous terraced rice paddies. There are also several other naturally occurring bodies of water that have the same effect such as at Pamukkale in south western Turkey.
This eye catching pool design started to catch on in the 1990s, and was adopted by many luxury resorts, which tout their infinity pools in brochures and other promotional material. In the past several years many of our clients around Philadelphia and the Mainline have specifically requested these types of pools after spending time at a luxury resort. The come home and decide that they want the same feeling in their own back yard..
The design and construction expertise required for an infinity pool is considerable and attention to the most minor details is a must. Although the basics workings of the pool are much like a regular pool, the designer and builder must be especially careful at the "infinite" edge of the pool. The edge of the pool which is actually below the water level, allowing water to cascade over it and into a trough or tank that collects the water and circulates it back into the pool. Essentially, every infinity pool is a custom design, which allows the designer a wide range of flexibility in shape and placement, but also makes it more complex to install.
When installing an infinity pool, caution should be taken. The infinite edge of the pool will draw the eye of the observer, so it is important to make sure that there is something beautiful beyond it. In general, an infinity pool is best suited to a sweeping natural landscape like the ocean, a pond , or a grove of majestic trees. On many projects we actually design the back drop of the pool to maximize the impact. By using large trees or building a body of water beyond we are able to edit out visual distractions and increase to drama of the view. It is also important that care is taken when designing a negative edge pool so that the effect is not ruined by the viewer having the ability to see the catch basin below or the opposite edge of the wall.
Infinity pools are often more expensive and require extensive architectural design. Since they are often built in more challenging locations such as on slopes or near water, sound structural engineering is vital to success. The structural engineering must be based upon topographical and soil conditions found on the site.
In reality the infinity edge of the pool terminates in a weir that is just less than one inch or so lower than the top edge of the rest of the pool water . A catch basin or gutter that flows into a tank is constructed below the weir. The water spills into the catch basin, from where it is then pumped back into the pool
A properly built, vanishing edge pool will have two circulation systems. The first functions like that of a regular pool, filtering and heating the water in the main pool. The second circulation system filters the water which flows over the edge. When water stops being pumped into the pool from the lower basin, the water level in the upper pool continues to spill into the basin - stopping at the level of the weir wall. The water that is required to raise the upper pool and fill the edge-system is called the "water in transit." Considerable calculation and understanding is required on the part of the designer to incorporate a catch basin of the appropriate size.
If the catch basin is designed too small, bathers will displace more water than the catch basin can hold. This can lead to catastrophic landslides or hillside erosion. The catch basin also needs to have additional holding capacity known as free board so that the system does not need to be constantly refilled. The freeboard is the basins extra available capacity to hold the bather displacement and rain water, before it reaches the level of the overflow line.
In addition to the main typical filtration system on the pool the edge system should also have filtration integrated into its design, since the majority of the debris that lands on the surface of the water ends up going over the edge.
Automatic fill devices should also be incorporated into the catch basin. Electronic auto fill sensors are preferred since they have a built-in delay to compensate for wave action from bather surge.
When hiring a company to build a vanishing edge pool it is important that you use a designer and contractor that really has a strong track record in the construction of these types of pools since hiring the wrong contractor can be a very painful and expensive mistake.
