The Fire Features on This GUITAR POOL ROCK

BY JOE TRUSTY PHOTOS: CREATIVESCAPES DESIGNS

It’s 2023 so we’re going to kick things off with a project that just got underway this year. A guitar pool design that just has award-winner written all over it from the word “go”.

Chris Johannsen is a real upand-comer who knows a thing or two about creating an over-thetop luxury outdoor experience. After all, the award-winning designer has made a career out of capturing his client’s vision for their ideal backyard and landscape. Working hand-inhand with builder JDO Pools & Spas, Johannsen is poised to set a new career milestone with the design of this incredible guitar-shaped pool design. While certainly not the first musical instrument-shaped pool, the project is definitely a first for Johannsen who flat-out told us that projects like this are not typical for him.

The design represents a turning point for Johannsen who up until now has been known for luxurious but traditional backyard designs that are more of the norm for his particular region. Johannsen claims he was thrilled when he was contacted for the opportunity to step outside his comfort zone and design a backyard that will feature a guitar-shaped swimming pool.

Guitar Pool Designed Around Fun & Accessibility

The project represented some difficult challenges for his Virginiabased design firm CreativEscapes. The technical and creative requirements called for a design that was quite unlike anything Johannsen had ever designed.

“It’s a very unique design,” said Johannsen, and explained that the client for this particular project is a disabled veteran with a profound love of music. “We put a lot of consideration into making sure that he’s able to enjoy the space to the fullest.”

“Since the client is a musician, he wanted a guitarshaped pool and the design we came up with really worked out great,” explained Johannsen, “we use the neck of the guitar as zero entry where he can enter in and go down.”

The entire swimming pool was custom designed for the client, not only as an art piece but to be able to offer ease of accessibility. Ease of use and the client’s comfort in the pool was of paramount concern to Johannsen throughout the process.

“There’s a nice sun deck with a sunken fire feature in the middle where the homeowner can pull up his wheelchair and have conversations with guests on the sun deck. It’s great because he’ll be able to get in and out of the pool himself. This is really a big thing because he enjoys independence,” explained Johannsen.

One of the most dramatic elements of this particular pool design is the strategically placed fire feature that becomes the focal piece of this rockin’ pool project.

Creating a Statement Piece

While this pool is being designed for accessibility, what’s truly impressive is how this has been incorporated into a distinctly unique pool experience. The elegant guitar shape appeals to the client’s personal tastes as well as the music lover in all of us.

Features & Amenities

“At the top of the neck where the tuning pins are, will be a hot tub that will incorporate a lift system,” explained Johannsen, “there will also be an overflow going down the neck of the guitar with sunken lights for the strings.”

One of the most dramatic elements of this particular pool design is the strategically placed fire feature that becomes the focal piece of this rockin’ pool project.

“The fire element is actually submerged below the water and the ignition system is above the water,” said Johannsen, “the gas will bubble and float above and actually ignite above the water so that it looks like the fire is just dancing on the water. We’re working with an engineer now, Interior 2000, a local fire pit manufacturer, to design and build it.”

This project has been a labor of love for Johannsen who says the design is one he particularly enjoyed working on. The fact that he is drawing clients who trust him with their wildest ambitions for their outdoor living space is not lost on him. “Really, I love everything about it. I’ve been super lucky to have some really awesome clients,” said Johannsen.

Want to learn more about this incredible pool project? Listen to our entire conversation with Chris Johannsen on the Pool Magazine podcast.