Traditional Style Pool Remodel

Swimming Pool Construction
Pasadena

Forms in landscape design can be both overt and subtle, each telling a story about the space. For instance, the coined corners of the pool, crafted from precast concrete with limestone, immediately evoke a Mediterranean, Tuscan, or Roman aesthetic. The rectangular paving and the square symmetry of the pool further reinforce these classical design cues.

The house and pool were originally designed by Wallace Neff, a renowned architect in the Pasadena area built the house in 1923 for the Post Family. While the house had been meticulously restored to its original grandeur, the pool and surrounding landscape were in disrepair. The pool, positioned parallel to the property line, was awkwardly aligned with the house, which created a visual dissonance. The deck further exacerbated this imbalance, with one side being significantly larger than the other. Additionally, the pool’s simple rectangular shape clashed with the Mediterranean architecture of the house. Although it might have seemed easier to remove the pool and start over, we chose to preserve and remodel the existing one. Our goal was to integrate the pool into the house’s architecture while disguising the awkward angles.

From a more nuanced perspective, we mirrored the pool’s form and subtly overlapped it on the right side, creating a visual relationship between the yard and the pool. Though not immediately apparent, this design choice helps to unify the space. To achieve this, we removed the original concrete deck and introduced square pavers with grass joints, directing attention away from the pool’s imperfect placement. We echoed the pool’s form on the right side and shifted the focus toward the arbor structure at the rear. The informal landscape periphery was designed to mask the rigid placement of formal elements against the property boundaries while simultaneously accentuating the structured hardscape and formal landscape. By contrasting these formal elements with the more relaxed periphery, we created a harmonious balance. Additionally, Roman-style classic precast corners were incorporated, tying the pool’s design to the house’s architectural style. This approach not only maintained the traditional essence but also subtly modernized the design, avoiding the stark, rectangular patterns typical of contemporary architecture. The integration of these elements not only masked the pool’s original flaws but also artistically enhanced the overall aesthetic, resulting in a unique and stunning Mediterranean-inspired yard. This project underscores the importance of using multiple design strategies to create a cohesive vision or resolve complex design challenges.

A very strong feature in this design is the reflective quality of the pergola by the pool. We uplighted the pergola and used a dark pebble with glass bead plaster. The dark plaster, while keeping the water warmer and giving the pool a deep and exotic feel, also introduced an enchanting visual element. The glass beads within the plaster reflect light in a way that causes the pool’s surface to shimmer and dance, especially under evening lighting. During the day, this reflective quality captures the sunlight, creating a sparkling effect that enhances the pool’s allure, making it a centerpiece in the landscape. At night, the reflections play off the uplighting of the pergola, turning the pool into a stunning visual spectacle, where light and water interact in a continuously shifting display. This reflective quality adds depth and sophistication to the design, making the pool not just a functional feature, but a work of art within the landscape.