Million Dollar Pool Design WINNER

BY MARCUS PACKER

Pool Magazine is proud to have been one of the sponsors of this 2022’s Million Dollar Pool Design Challenge at the PSP Deck Expo in Las Vegas. The winning design was done by up-and-coming designer Rance Schindler who blew away the judges with his $10,000 winning entry, courtesy of Riverflow Pumps by Current Systems.

The annual competition is the brainchild of renowned designers Mike Farley and Reid Schindler, and it seeks to promote cutting-edge ideas for backyards by doing away with financial restraints.

Designers are invited to enter the competition and create the ultimate outdoor oasis for hypothetical clients on a million-dollar budget.

Entrants in the 2022 competition were tasked with creating an outdoor living oasis for a husband-and-wife pair of lawyers in Chicago, Illinois.

Designing the ultimate backyard for these dream clients meant planning a seasonal space that would prioritize health, wellness, and self-care.

A large number of entrants tried out for the Million Dollar

Pool Design Challenge, but only a select few were invited to show off their skills. PoolHaus’s Brent Dutton, Old State Landscape’s Whitney Morris and Stephanie Carnahan, Complete Exterior Solutions’ Rance Schindler, Randy Angell Designs’ Brad Holley, and AquaTerra Outdoors’ Minsung Kim, Karishma Karki, Paola Hidalgo, and Sameepa Modi were also finalists.

Some prerequisites for submissions were that the design should incorporate a few wish list items:

The Site

• Home has a lower terrace area, front approach, and rooftop terrace.

• Seasonal usage of space, designer should consider wind, sun direction, shade, and the Chicago climate.

• Clients goal for the space is a space to unwind.

Aesthetics & View

• Keep the view open if possible, but they also want privacy.

• Preferred to have natual elements, but they love structured design.

Pool & Spa

• The pool is for health, wellness, and self care.

• They are looking for a complete setting, not just a swimming pool.

• A hot tub and cold plunge are needed, possibly a sauna.

Elements To Include

• A fire element to gather around.

• Cool lighting.

• The use of a Riverflow Pumps by Current Systems product (lazy river or swim jet system).

• A real or synthetic lawn space.

• The use of Ledge Lounger furniture.

• An outdoor kitchen.

Other Considerations

• The couple will entertain/host six to 12 guests maximum.

Million Dollar Pool Design Challenge Winner - Rance Schindler holds up his check for $10,000 at the PSP Deck Expo in Las Vegas.

Entries were evaluated by an expert panel of judges based on the following factors:

1. Aesthetic Quality - Is the concept’s form pleasant to look at?

2. Differentiation - Is the concept “fresh” & unique?

3. Functionality -Does the concept meet the criteria of the families needs? Does it consider all elements site analysis?

4. Realization PossibilityIs the concept buildable if the client decided to move forward with construction? ie. topographically, features, function

Let’s take a look at this year’s winning design by Rance Schindler of Complete Exterior Solutions. One of the prerequisites of the client was shade.

• The wife teaches yoga and barre as a hobby, and wants a space to exercise and cool off. Read

This design answers that request with a large tree that shades the outdoor living space and becomes a central focal point of the backyard.

The design plan also features a lovely rooftop dining and conversation area as well as an outdoor kitchen.

A gorgeous glass deck overhangs the entire outdoor living space and looks down on a smartly appointed pool, fire pit, and lounging area below.

Think you’ve got what it takes to enter next year’s Million Dollar Pool Design Challenge? Learn more about this contest and how to enter.

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