Pool and spa and the deck

The pool had to be a maxi rib pool as they wanted the deck and pool level to be a similar height as their back room which was over one meter above the natural ground. They wanted a big deck area as they wanted somewhere for their grandkids to play when they were swimming and playing. They did not want to feel enclosed.

Quick pool heating

We installed the largest gas heater as they wanted a quick heat-up time for the spa so they could get it to temperature very quickly. With a sauna already part of their lifestyle the spa was added to the project so they could enjoy after the steam sessions.

A pool that cleans itself

They loved the concept of the self-cleaning and we had to reassure them that it would do what we said it would do. A year after the project was completed, they asked why couldn’t they do self-cleaning decks like our self-cleaning pool! He always had to sweep the deck but the pool was always clean.

Pool waiting for the house to be finished

The pool and spa was installed after the house was knocked down & cleared allowing great access for the pool build. The pool needed a protection cover on the pool during the entire house build which was bolted onto the concrete beam so that a temporary fence was not needed and pool and spa was made safe.

Pool finalisation and landscaping

After the house was at lockup the house builder allowed us back on site to remove the protection cover and then hook up the pool equipment. This meant the client could continue on with the landscaping whilst the house was being completed.

Pool and spa combo with Sunpod

There is a Sunpod water feature between the pool and the spa so that the water runs off the pod into the pool and spa. It makes the pod glisten and provide a soft and subtle water feature. It also connects the pool and spa visually.

Managing / heating different parts of the pool

The spa can be managed either independently to the pool or with the pool. This means they can heat the spa on its own OR together OR just the pool on its own. You have all those options via valves that close off the different options. When they have finished with the spa they can go back to normal pool mode which means the water mixes with the pool making the spa clean so easy.

A project with difficult access

A family home that had tricky access through a well established garden. The dig was restricted with their existing brick fence so smaller machinery had to be brought in to do the excavation. The pool placement was easy as it was just over the top but digging the hole and removing the soil was the more challenging part of this project.

Positioning the spa

The spa was also installed 600mm higher than the pool for two reasons. Firstly, it created a seating area when in the pool zone and secondly, it was easier to step up and into the spa – rather than step down to the spa.

Pool heating

The gas booster heating allowed the spa quick heat up time and was a backup to the solar system for the pool. This was a family pool area and they could also heat the pool up for birthday parties all year round.

Joining two standards 12.3m Fastlane lap pools

He had a very technical background and was very thorough in his understanding of the different layers of the fibreglass ceramic pool and also how the joins work with the 24 meter lap pool. The pool was designed in 3 pieces with the unique Compass Manufacturing link joining technique which allowed the pool to be built to his desired length.

Central solar heating for house and pool

Interestingly with this project, our client had a German solar heating unit that heated his house and he build his own heat exchanger to tap into this system. This was something we had not seen before.

Designing elements for the pool

He didn’t want a dark blue colour so the more softer blue water from the Quartz was the look he liked. The spa has a Nexus link between the pool and spa and allows for a water bridge between the two.

Gas and solar pool heating

She had solar heating as the base heat with a large gas heater for purpose of heating the spa. In the warmer months, it took less than half an hour to get it the desired temperature.

Self-cleaning lap pool

It was very important that it was self-cleaning as she needed a clean pool that did not need physically work. She had to swim to improve her health and the lap pool suited this as well.

Maxi Rib above ground pool installation

It was also a maxi rib pool at house level with the pool sitting out of the ground by 1.2m. The long side of the pool had the maxi rib side clad to the fencing regulations to act as the fence barrier. It wasn’t unusual to be swimming and then look over the edge to see a cow eating the grass 1m away.

Why choose a lap pool

The space in this property was not strictly limited but it was quite narrow. The owners could have put in a wider pool, but they wanted the lines to work with their wall and house. They also wanted the spa to look like it was part of the pool and not ‘just added to the end.

Heating the pool

They had a big gas heater for the spa for quick heat up on demand which also allowed them to heat the pool when they wanted. The pool is visible from many areas of the house hence they needed it to be self cleaning so it was always clean.

Choosing a Vivid pool colour

They chose royal blue as they wanted a deeper looking blue colour. They have the pool lights on at night regularly which means it doesn’t matter what colour pool at night it was given the multi colour lights gives them green, magenta, red and several different shades of blue. However, during the day the sun gives the pool different shades of the royal blue, when overcast it is quite a dark blue and then the water colour becomes very radiant when the sun shines. They love the colour. 50 shades of blue they call it.

Lifting the swimming pool to the house level

The pool had to be at the house living level. The deck and pool sit at the kitchen level as the pool is part of their everyday living. It was not just about ease of use but about being able to see the water day and night. The pool lights are on at night and the pool water reflects colour and movement inside and out. Though it cost this client more to have the pool and spa at this height (it is a Maxi rib pool sitting over a meter out of the ground) it was an investment they felt important. They could have reduced their extra build cost (maxi rib pools add $15 – $20,000) by having 7 steps down to the lawn area however it would have affected their view and single living level. It brings the pool zone into the house zone.

Cost-effective gas pool heating

They have an LPG gas heater which they use as secondary heat for the spa (and sometimes a sneaky pool party on a long weekend). Even the LPG gas does not cost a great deal more. ‘Sometimes we find the food costs greater than any gas costs when we have family come over and heat up the pool for a weekend party’

Lap pool

They never knew how many people could be swimming at one time – hence they needed a long pool for lap swimming – but it had to be versatile for ‘classic catches’ and ‘Marco Polo’ games as well. A lap pool for all ages – teenagers to adults. The family lap pool.

Colour

The colours of the house contributed to the colour scheme of the pool and the paving to keep the simple clean looks of natural tones of the pool. The Quartz colour pool and spa gives a soft blue so that it doesn’t sit too harshly against the view. The softer blue sits gently with the view.

Infinity edge pool

To maximise the use of the sloping site, we went for an infinity edge style swimming pool where one of the edges merges with the environment. We used a Maxi Rib X-Trainer swimming pool and also an X-Trainer spa (not visible on the images).

Degree of difficulty

To keep the pool and spa at house level – our client wanted to enjoy the view with the pool and hence we had to build a suspended slab. The slab had custom positioned holes for the infloor cleaning heads.

The negative edge required the manufacture of the swimming pool shell to have a ‘drop edge’ custom built into the pool along 2 sides. The overflow of water disappeared into a stainless trough that was caught in 2 x large tanks under the suspended slab.

Pool look & design

The client wanted the pool and spa to look minimalist and anted clean lines. To have 3 separate functioning features of the water – the spa / the pool / the wader but to make sure the water zone did not look ‘too busy’.  They had owned an old concrete swimming pool previously and had struggled to manage the scum line so that was an important issue for them with the negative edge.

They loved the look of fully tiled pools but didn’t want to have to manage that surface so they chose the Pearl to give the similar look. The build cost was also much less given the slab was designed for a lighter pool structure than concrete.

Pool and spa combo with a wader

The client had small grandchildren and wanted the spa and the wader for them.

Awesome pool installation

This gorgeous self-cleaning Compass fibreglass pool and spa combination was built by Compass Pools Melbourne. The X-Trainer 8.2 pool is accompanied by a X-Trainer spa to create a stunning home oasis for Amir, the pool owner.

Features of this pool

A large gas heater is used to heat both the pool and the spa. A spa water feature known as a ‘sunken spa’ was built, allowing the water to look like one body of water, however, the spa can heat separately or the pool and spa can be heated all together.

Transform your backyard

If you are thinking of a swimming pool and would like to have a similar one built in your backyard, please fill out the free pool quote request and an authorised Compass Pools dealer nearest to you will provide you with a customised non-obligatory pool quote.

Unbelievable transformation

Thanks to thoughtful landscaping, choice of materials and, of course, the best pool & spa combination, this backyard was completely transformed. The 10.3 Fastlane fibreglass pool is long enough to swim laps. It features amazing views of the surroundings thanks to the innovative acrylic wall that has been built, replacing the standard fibreglass wall on the long side of the pool.

Spa, beach and beyond

This is ana amazing place for the whole family. The kids can play in the beach area, attached to the pool. You can also move to the spa and watch others playing in the pool. The pool is built on the sloping site, utilising proprietary Compass Pools Maxi Rib technology, enabling building pools partially or completely above the ground.

3 Gold Spasa Awards

This pool has won multiple 2019 SPASA pool awards of excellence: Best Residential Fibreglass Pool Over – $60,000, Best Residential Fibreglass, Acrylic or Vinyl-Lined Pool and Best Residential Fibreglass, Acrylic, or Vinyl-Lined Pool and Spa Combination.

Turn your backyard into an oasis

If you are thinking of a swimming pool and would like to have a similar one built in your backyard, please fill out the free pool quote request and an authorised Compass Pools dealer nearest to you will provide you with a customised non-obligatory pool quote.