Designing a Beautiful Swimming Pool
A beautiful swiming pool starts with a design by a professional pool designer experienced in architecture, landscape design, construction, finish materials, color theory, art, and history. The design must also be functional, architecturally appropriate, and be able to meet the client's long term goals. To do this we recommend following the following steps to this process.
1. Initial discussion with regards to budget, long term and short term goals, time lines, stylistic tastes, architectural precedence, experiences, and family, safety, style of entertaining, and cost of ownership.
2. Site visit to further discuss above items and to gather information with regards to the site. Because there are many restrictions regarding setbacks, easements, zoning and safety it is important to have an understanding of these issues at the initial meeting. At this point a discussion about what would make you happy both functionally and aesthetically should occur.
3. Initial conceptual design created using flat plans and perspective drawings and 3D modeling. Presentation Feed back and further discussion.
4. Concept revision and preliminary budgets, presentation and further conversation.
5. The decision to enter into a design contract which would then engage the designers services and allow them to gather information that could be used for the creation of permit drawings, final pricing, engineering, and detailed layouts perspectives aesthetic, and special designs.
6. Drawing and design creation process with further discussion and presentations as needed. During this phase specifics such as the interior layout of the pool, material types, fencing and safety issues, equipment specifications, and control locations are fully explored.
7. Materials selection, with particular attention to visual impact, price, longevity, maintenance issues, color theory, texture, and thermal characteristics.
8. Contract pricing and revision.
9. Furniture layouts, interior finishes and surface treatments final selection.
10. Construction contract creation and Permitting. At this point it is very clear what the project will cost and any changes to the price will be due to changes in decisions on sizes, materials, ect. The client is very clear on what the project will look like, what they can expect of the contractor, and what type of payment schedule is required.
As anyone can see from the process outlined above the process of designing a pool is very much like designing a house or at least a large renovation project. This type of process works because it allows the client and designer time to work out details before a contract is signed. It allows the client to understand what they are buying, what the final cost will be, and it give the designer time to get to know the clients needs and tastes.
How to Choose a Pool Designer
1. When interviewing a pool designer and builder do not be rushed. Do not let them pressure you.
2. Make sure they not only understand pools but also plant material, architectural design and space planning. If you have also hired an architect and a landscape designer than this is not necessary.
3. Ask to see a set of plans they have drawn for various projects. What you will often find is pool builders that have built pools designed by professional landscape architects or designers who then take the credit for designing the project. If they can not draw well by hand, or use some form of CAD, they most likely are not who you want to work with.
4. Get referrals, go see their pools and ask questions. If the designer has done something great for the client and the project went well they will tell you all about it. Talk to several customers and see their pools.
5. Look at how the designer puts things together. Do they have a good sense of space, balance, proportion, color, and does the pool look like it goes with the home?
6. Do you fell like you can trust the designer? Trust is the basis of any good relationship.
7. Ask what mistakes they have made and how they dealt with them. Then ask for the name of the client and call them. Construction projects always have some small problem. What is important is how the problem is handled and who takes responsibility for it.
8. Check the internet to see if their company has any complaints against it. There are several websites people have set up because they hate their pool company that much.
9. Ask the designer how they learned their craft. If they have taken several Genesis 3 classes and have a high level of education in the fields of architecture, engineering, or design you are on the right track. If they say" I learned from my daddy" or "Our company has a training program" keep looking.
