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A Special Collection of Dramatic Pools
Built to Inspire
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As dusk falls, the shades and tones found in the sky and in the nearby waterway echo the pool’s finish. The merging of the two is perfectly done, fooling even the most analytical eyes. Photograph by Trevor J. Rosendahl, Nitelites. Pools by John Clarkson, Jacksonville, Fla.
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Infinity Pools
A Special Collection of Dramatic Pools…Built to Inspire ne of the most dramatic effects found in the art of
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poolscaping is the infinity edge. Made to fool the eye into believing that the
pool and the natural setting it overlooks are one, this type of pool is perfect for homes with exquisite views. You will see infinity pools appear in amazing spots: cantilevered off hillsides, perched on mountainsides, and surveying the bright lights of nearby cityscapes. Venues near water, however, are the most popular——and for a good reason. They are also the most spectacular. But no matter where the pool is situated, it captures the imagination with its incredible ability to astonish even the most jaded of viewers. Throughout this book you will find a variety of breathtaking images featuring pools “spilling” into tropical lagoons, magnificent mountainscapes, and other picture-perfect vistas——and each photo illustrates why this type of pool is so awe-inspiring. While new designs and concepts for swimming pools are always being devised, infinity pools remain a popular choice for homeowners who want to bring the grandeur they see on the horizon into their reality.
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With a wet bar and hydrotherapy jets, this pool features two spectacular levels, with the upper pool flowing over its infinity edge into the lower pool. Aquart, Santa Cruz, Costa Rica
How the Effect Is Created Called by a variety of names——vanishing edge, negative edge, knife edge, disappearing edge, and flooded edge—— infinity-edge pools are not the invention of modern pool builders: one of the first pools featuring water flowing over an edge appeared in Europe during the late 1800s. It was not until more recently, however, that the concept caught the attention of homeowners everywhere—— thanks to Hollywood. Demand grew as exotic Valley Pool and Spa, Kelowna, B.C., Canada
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infinity-edge pools began to appear in movies and
points, it is also a vital part of the design. Technically, it
in magazine photo stories; as that demand grew,
has to be flawlessly planned and built; visually, it has to
so did the skill required by pool builders to create the
complement the entire design.
desired effect. Today, building specialists constantly
The catch basin also plays a key role in building the
devise new ideas to bring this design to even higher
perfectly-crafted infinity-edge pool. The designer has to
levels of sophistication and beauty.
make sure it is large enough and wide enough to keep
The basics have not changed over the years:
the water flowing evenly and smoothly, but that doesn’t
They begin and end with a knowledge of structural
mean it has to be work-a-day in appearance. Some
engineering. Although the pool water appears to
designers go for the big splash by allowing the basin
mysteriously flow into infinity, it is in fact emptying
to play a starring role all its own; others prefer to
into a catch basin and is then recirculated back into
blend it into the landscaping, barely allowing it
the main pool. A walk to the other side of the pool
to make an appearance.
dispels the magic. The first thing you will notice is the weir wall. This is an important part of the system as this is where the
Tricks of the Trade The challenge of bringing far-off vistas into a
water flows down as it descends into the catch basin.
carefully crafted setting is one that experienced pool
Because it can be seen from a number of vantage
designers handle with practiced ease. Since their goal is
In this case, the weir wall is serving triple duty: mechanically, artistically, and musically. All Island Gunite Pools, Farmingdale, N.Y.
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Here is a wonderful example of how the pool builder used the nearby woodland as a point of observation for the infinity edge. Lewis Aquatech Pools, Chantilly, Va.
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Advanced Pools, Rancho Cordova, Calif.
infinity pool appear as if it is emptying into the vast blueness of the ocean, a designer will choose a pool finish that will create the same blue color in the pool. This makes the pool look as if it’s flowing into the ocean and vice versa. As light hits the scene, it is hard for the eye to discern the beginning of one vessel and the end of the other; this achieves the ultimate swimming pool illusion. Another spectacular effect is when the infinity edge seems to cascade into the setting on the other side of the property line——most often a
Cabana Pools Aquatech, Houston, Texas
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Memphis Pool, Collierville, Tenn.
The meticulously landscaped scenery is best enjoyed from the clean lines of the negative-edge pool. Note the design of water feature: it, too, is a vanishing edge. Lewis Aquatech Pools, Chantilly, Va.
Photographed by Keith Sutter Photography for Dal Pino Quality Pools, Inc., Auburn, Calif.
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