INSPIRE
AU N AT U R E L NATURAL SWIMMING POOLS USE NATURE-BASED SOLUTIONS TO CREATE MINI-ECOSYSTEMS
NANTUCKET, MA
A
s more consumers are looking for ways to stay off the grid and become more sustainable, they’re discovering the benefits—and beauty—of natural pools. According to Allen Schnaak, vice president of business development at BioNova Natural Pools, around 1,000 natural pools have been installed in the US in the past decade. “Americans are starting to catch on here, but the numbers are small compared to Europe where 16% of recreational water environments are naturally and biologically filtered,” says Allen. “Germanspeaking areas have been doing it for 40 years.” Natural swimming pools are said to be invented by Gottfried Kern in Austria in 1954, and his concept took off in the 80s throughout Austria and Germany. Fellow Austrian and landscape contractor Gerhard Brandlmeier started building swimming ponds in the 80s and founded BioNova. Over time, the company grew. The BioNova North America division has completed 50 projects across the US, from
34 Pro Landscaper USA South March/April 2021
south.prolandscaperusa.com
