Choosing between concrete and fibreglass

The pool itself was not fully confirmed when we met the client. They did not know if they wanted fibreglass or concrete. He had owned a concrete lap indoor pool at his previous house and wanted to create another indoor pool with his new build.

Importance of weight

Given the lightweight pool meant less in support for the pool (as it was not sitting on the natural ground) the 12.3 m Fastlane Maxi rib was the perfect solution. The timing of the pool build had to be co-ordinated with the house builder Grollo Homes over a 15-month house build project. We had to place the pool and then return once some walls were constructed to run the pool pipes.

Automated pool cover

The client invested in an automated Remco cover. The pool was indoor so managing the water condensation is something that an automated cover can assist with.

26 degrees year-round

This client keeps the pool at 26 degrees all year round and swims nearly every day.

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.

The water wall water feature

The water wall was designed with the developer and we ran the pipe work to the location. They chose bright tiles to give it a modern look.

Choosing the pool colour

The colour needed to compliment a natural colour palate so a blue pool would have been too contrasting. By choosing the Quartz colour it tied in with his natural timbers and also the natural stone around the pool and in the penthouse.

Getting the pool to the top

We used the tower crane to place the pool into location and had to manage city traffic and trams for delivery.

Our build team really enjoyed working on the project as the views from the top across the city and also across the bay were so spectacular and different depending on the weather.

The client had to get permission from the neighbouring Body Corp of units next door to allow access for the dig and pool placement.

Lap pools were always considered just for water-view houses in Sydney previously however lap pools were not just about swimming laps. The simple clean design gives a beautiful look and in the ever-narrowing backyards – the Lap pool is very practical and beautiful.

Choosing the pool colour

The owners wanted a dark blue colour giving the courtyard space a sophisticated look. We provided the provisional pipework for the water feature and they created the water wall that also enhanced the space.

Gas pool heater

It was heated with a gas heater for the times when their family visited, and they could heat up the pool anytime of the year.

Installing the pool during the house build

The pool had to go in halfway through the house build as we were not able to get access once the front part of the house was built. We fully installed the pool and ran the pipe work and capped them off at the final equipment location. They put a protection cover over the pool during the remainder of the house build.

Pool landscaping

When the house was nearly at completion, we returned to remove the protection cover and install the pool filtration equipment. Most of the installation had been done at stage one so this stage was only the equipment. We connected everything up and then they brought in the landscapers to do the paving and finish of the waterwall they had built.

Lap pool for family entertainment

Though it is a lap pool for swimming it really got much more use as a family entertaining pool. They had a spot at the rear of the property they could have positioned the pool but they wanted the pool to be part of their everyday living hence why it almost became like a courtyard pool / alfresco zone.