The Modern Swimming Pool

Pools, as seen from the air, miles of cool blue dots, glittering diamonds of leisure and communion, became a central modern character in many of David Hockney’s 1960’s and ‘70s paintings.

His pools were often set against a backdrop of distinctly mid-century homes. “I came to Los Angeles for two reasons, the first was a photo by Julias Schulman of Case Study House #21…”

Filmmakers and advertisers seized on these icons to symbolize our culture’s’ desire for freedom and a “groovy” modern lifestyle.

Who doesn’t remember Benjamin Braddock, the adrift graduate, floating in his Southern California pool? (You can watch The Graduate on Amazon)

A New Day for Pools

Today, the iconic California swimming pool continues to reign as the romantic centerpiece of a luxury home; we are drawn to the deep blue of the pool, a sanctuary, and playground, more than ever before. But now modern materials with all sorts of structural capacities allow designers to take pools to a whole other level; a pool with a clear bottom viewable from the room below: or to a property’s edge extending to the horizon, while providing a waterfall for the space below.

Marc’s design for a residence often starts with the swimming pool and the spaces around it. He works to position it in the best location on the property. “A pool is not just a pool. The most important aspect of the pool is what it looks like when you're not in it; how it contributes visually to the property and the surrounding spaces.”

Reflections

When a pool is a large, still body of water, just as in nature, it can act like a giant mirror – particularly at night. It can be positioned to reflect a sky at sunset, as seen here on the Laurel Way property. 

Sometimes there is the opportunity to reflect the building, as we did here with the Mandeville Canyon project. What gave rise to the shape of the Mandeville pool was that it should provide a complete reflection of the house.

The Buckskin house is also reflected in the pool, which is placed further from the house.

The pool is the property’s biggest water feature. It reflects the sunlight during the day, moonlight and exterior lighting at night, and the firelight that we position near it. 

Humans gathering around fire is really a design opportunity to evoke primal feelings of connection. Our pool and patio designs often include a communal spot that features fire, and a view of the water. 

Pools offer the opportunity for unique details such as Trousdale’s circular sunken fire pit’s view through a four inch thick acrylic panel into the spa. The other side of the spa also has an acrylic panel allowing for a view of the bubbles and movement.

At Laurel Way the fire pit seating is also at pool level, with an acrylic panel in the pool serving as the fourth wall. The infinity edge spills over into a waterfall, making it an intimate close-up water feature. 

Do pools need windows?

Well, maybe not, but interaction with the pool from other rooms can be fun. In our Hopen Place design, the home theater’s large windows offer a view into the pool. 

This playful detail at Summit gives bowlers in the home entertainment room a look into the pool, bringing outdoor and indoor fun together. 

The Hopen infinity edge pool also spills over to become a walkway waterfall on the way to the theater.

A Moat and Steps over Water

Encircling the Laurel Way property is a ribbon of water that wraps around the house and intersects with the main pool, giving it the look of an island floating against the blue California sky. The moat-like water surround is more than a successful artistic inspiration; it adds the feeling of a protective boundary, without obstructing the views in any way.

Adding a dimension when viewing the water from the house interior, our pools have stepping stones that take you out across the water, evoking memories of crossing streams in nature. 

An invitation to come out and play, walk on water, or let the fire mesmerize you into a state of luxurious calm.