Hamptons Hideaway: A Custom Vinyl-Lined Plunge Pool for a Residential Courtyard

Assisting in the design and creation of a family home is an experience like no other. Our team at Albatross Pools were fortunate to have this opportunity when we were commissioned to deliver a custom courtyard pool to accompany a new, Hamptons-inspired residence. Set on a corner block in Hamptons Street in Essendon West, this light, bright and white space was both challenging and complex.

Adjacent to a busy suburban street, this property’s outdoor courtyard was designed to maintain the privacy of its residents. To protect the integrity and privacy of the space, we had to adhere closely to council planning requirements, such as offsets, and work diligently to maintain the structures and measures in place.

These restricted building conditions on the site, plus other limitations, such as the residential piering design, tight spaces and working alongside the builder’s schedule, resulted in a finished design featuring a courtyard pool alongside a beautiful outdoor space. Elevated 0.9m above the natural fall of the property, the construction of this swimming pool presented a variety of challenges and required additional structural engineering. We knew this project would present unique challenges testing our skills – and it did not disappoint.

A Project Well Beyond the Normal Scope of Work

With highly-specific and custom fabrications of pool components, not to mention the additional structural engineering required, this project demanded solutions above and beyond our normal scope of work. Surrounded by a complete bond beam, the bracing system of the swimming pool construction needed to be carefully designed around the piering layout to ensure we were able to meet the requirements of both the separate residence and alfresco area.

A compact design, this rectangular courtyard pool covers 6.0m in length and 3.0m in width. To ensure we met all our client’s requirements, special consideration was given to the custom floor profile and pool entry area. Doing so meant we could achieve the functional needs of the swimming pool for the entire family. By including modifications to the battered edges of the pool floor profile, we were able to create a greater swimming area in both the shallow and deep ends of the pool. It was this attention to detail that helped us create the perfect design to realise our clients’ vision.

A Stunning Hamptons Design Brought to Life

On the surface, tranquillity reigns, but beneath the surface lies a different story. Designing this pool with the tones of textured, sandstone-like surfaces created a visually stunning, turquoise water colour, instantly beloved by our client. Surrounded by natural stone tiles, the grey fittings located inside the swimming pool itself were selected to connect with and complement the chosen colour of the safety barrier spigots. These aesthetics, paired with the latest embossment design on the vinyl-lined pool interior, align beautifully with the original Hamptons inspiration, emulating the textured patterns and shades of natural stone.

The overall effect of our design provides the swimming pool and surrounding courtyard space with a relaxing atmosphere and a calming experience for the entire family to enjoy.

With many challenges to overcome and problems to solve, our team worked diligently to deliver our clients their heart’s desires. Through complete customisation across the entire project, including working within the limitations of a small courtyard space, the desired function, finish, and style have undoubtedly been achieved, all without compromise for our client.

We are very pleased to announce, the Master Pool Builders Association Australia (formerly SPASA VIC) award this plunge pool project GOLD for The Best Residential, Vinyl-Lined In-Ground Pool at the awards night for 2022! 

Custom Design & Construction Available Across Melbourne & Wider Victoria with Albatross Pools

We at Albatross Pools are MPBAA (Master Pool Builders Association Australia) Award winners, with our designs and constructions appealing to and satisfying a diverse clientele across Victoria. Working with ground-breaking designs including steel and pre-engineered inground swimming pools, we provide rapid, custom installation for models of any shape, size, or depth. Learn more about how we work, and what we can offer our clients by contacting one of our talented professionals today! For ideas and inspiration on your next swimming pool design journey, you can even browse our gallery of swimming pool installations in Melbourne

Good Things Come in Small Packages: Brighton East Plunge Pool Project

As the old saying goes, ‘good things come in small packages’, and that was certainly the case with this project in Brighton East. The client had a modest, triangular-shaped outdoor area, in which they had desires of introducing a pool that was as large as possible. The difficulty arose as this pool was to go alongside an existing spa, and the client had also contracted landscape designers to find space for a lawn, fire pit, and an area for two spacious lounge chairs. While many might have thought this impossible, our team saw the opportunity for a challenge, focusing on the continuity of the space by delivering a practical layout that utilised proper balance and proportion.

Initial plans had the pool placed at an equal level to the deck, but after the discovery of a flood overlay, the team realised this was not a viable option and had to create an alternative solution. This took collaboration between everyone involved in the project – our pool builders and designers, the landscape architect, the landscapers, and of course the client – to re-situate the pool to the property’s lowest point.

After overcoming the challenges presented throughout the project, the finished result was a pristine 5.5 metre by 3-metre pool with a specially designed step for easier entry and exit, alongside a bench to promote better relaxation. The site itself for the plunge pool was alongside the rear and side of the boundary, as this was deemed the best position to complement the shape of the space, while also enabling ample sunlight to reach the lounges. To make the most of the limited room available, the clients opted to utilise an inground cover pit to store the thermal pool blanket, allowing them to keep the temperatures at comfortable levels all year round with their heat pumps.

With our help, our clients finally received their dream of creating a pool zone steeped in a sense of continuity with their wider outdoor area.

Utilising Balance & Proportion from Initial Designs to the Final Completion

The initial stages of the project were obviously centred on overcoming the issues presented by the flood overlay. In fact, this one factor pushed back the overall timeline to over 12 months, which is a considerable amount of time for any outdoor project. Even entry to the site needed to be carried out through a 1.2 metre opening in a neighbouring property.

The decision was then to continue the use of existing timber that could be found on the upper level of the home, establishing a flowing, continuity feature with the steps that led out from the alfresco area and into the pool’s lower zone. The steps can now serve multiple purposes, as they also provide an excellent seating area across the property’s levels.

To connect the pool to the firepit area, bluestone paving was wrapped around the perimeter and continued throughout the artificial turf of the lawn with the use of well-placed stepping pads, creating a stunning contrast in both colour and form.

With a focus on the overall balance of the final result, all features were taken into the design before construction took place, including sun lounges, lawns and the bench seating that evolved into a comfortable nook on the property. Once completed, this proved essential, as the new inclusion of a lower-level pool zone revitalised the tight space available without making it feel cramped or confined. The client’s family had a range of practical and welcoming outdoor features to enjoy all year round in a highly aesthetic space.

Engage with Albatross Pools to Bring Your Designs to Life

In more than 50 years of service, Albatross Pools has worked with more than 16,000 clients throughout Melbourne and wider Victoria. As one of the state’s longest-running and most renowned pool designers and builders, we thrive on creating solutions for challenging and creative projects, offering unmatched pre-engineered steel pools that perfectly meet client requirements and are ready for rapid assembly on site. To learn more, review our gallery of past projects, or contact our MPBAA winning team at Albatross Pools today.

The Ship’s Deck – a South Yarra Pre-Engineered, In-Ground Plunge Pool for a Residential Courtyard

Recently we had the pleasure to work with clients in the heart of South Yarra undertaking an exciting project. After purchasing an old, outdated block of flats, they were looking to create one larger, family home that would accommodate three generations at once. Naturally, they quickly realised that no family estate would be quite complete without a gorgeous swimming pool set amongst their stylish courtyard.

Our clients made clear their specific desires of having a custom, partially elevated plunge pool that would still be considered a part of the home’s living and dining space. As a result, the pool itself was built 1.2 metres above ground level, and had to include a specially engineered beam and piers systems to adequately elevate the wall panelling. This presented a range of unique challenges but eventuated in a design spanning 6.0m in length and 3.25m in width, with an accommodating entry point for all members of the family, from children to grandparents. Thanks to well placed, frameless glass pool fencing, the sunken area of the pool itself continues to blend uninterrupted with wider features of the outdoor space, such as the kitchen, basketball area, vegetable garden, and even a putting green. Paired with the existing rustic red brick offering a striking juxtaposition with the calmer whites and greys of the sundeck, as well as the luscious blues of the pool’s interior reminiscent of Costa Rican coastlines, it is certainly an enviable spot to relax and call home.

Overcoming the Challenging Logistics of a Narrow, Inner-City Location

As mentioned above, challenges revolved around this particular project, largely from gaining access to the site. The property was located in a slim, inner-city street, requiring a 1.5m entryway needed to be cut into the garage’s rear wall simply to make logistics possible for the required teams and machinery. A 2.0m drop that started from the back door of the property to the garage then added further complexity and complications to the initial excavation and ongoing construction in the area.

Another request made by the client was for all pool equipment to be hidden from view. This included the electric heat pump, which we successfully concealed inside of a long, thin corridor measuring 2.5m by 1.2m, which required extensive consideration surrounding the pool’s hydraulic design of the plumbing systems for the sake of securing optimal efficiency. Alongside the electric heat pump, the finished pool also had a range of energy-efficient equipment, a freshwater sanitisation system, concealed pool blanket, and lights sporting a range of dazzling colours, creating an ideal spot to be with extended family and friends every month of the year.

Christening the ‘Ship’s Deck’

The family had affectionately named this area of their property the ‘Ship’s Deck’ – a perfect summation for a cool, wooden sundeck alongside a crystal-blue plunge pool. The series of engineering and logistical challenges proved well worth it as the finished result offered a unique, low-maintenance and beautiful space to enjoy in a variety of ways for every member of their family. More photos of this plunge pool project can be browsed on the South Yarra Project Gallery >

Albatross Pools – MPBAA Award Winning Pool Designers & Builders

For over half a century, the team at Albatross Pools have operated as one of Melbourne’s leading custom pool builders, helping thousands of clients bring their dream designs to life. We are Master Pool Builders Association of Australia Award-winning pool designers and builders who love a challenge, offering pre-engineered parts that are available to be assembled on site, creating a simple, flexible and accelerated installation for whatever size or shape your swimming pool may be. For more information and inspiration, take a moment to browse our gallery of swimming pools completed across the state, visit our two display centres or contact us at Albatross Pools directly today!

Overcoming Challenging Site Access & Building Constraints to Deliver a Custom-Designed, Elevated Swimming Pool in North Warrandyte

Albatross Pools thrives when providing residents of Melbourne and wider Victoria with innovative swimming pools. We enjoy taking on projects that many would deem too difficult, and this was certainly the case with our recent clients from North Warrandyte, where the skills of our team were put to the test.

The family home was purchased largely because of the opportunity to gaze upon the Yarra River below and out over wider Warrandyte. Despite being 2000sqm, unfortunately the property ‘s rear third was unusable, much like many North Warrandyte properties experiencing a steep fall of the land. An aged, multi-levelled decking area and portable spa constituted most of the outdoor entertaining area, but the family still felt too much of the space wasn’t meeting its full potential. This was most noticeable with an absent connectivity of internal and external living spaces, as well as a failure to capitalise on the impact of the bushland vista surrounding the property.

The solution? Navigate the difficult foundations present within the property and reimagine the deck area, creating a relaxing entertaining space, complete with alfresco dining area, a sunken retreat zone, and of course, an elevated freeform swimming pool.

Naturally, this was a big task, and required the careful collaboration of highly skilled landscape designers, builders, and our expert pool designers to bring the project to life. The finished result was certainly worth it, though, with the family overjoyed at finding the area transformed. Now, they have an alfresco space updated to include an outdoor kitchen and dining area next to a tranquil sitting space, relaxing fireplace and television station, where they can quickly move to immerse themselves in an elevated swimming pool custom-built to mimic the contours of a natural lagoon; all before cosying around the fire pit found in a sunken native garden, finally able to absorb the mesmerising Warrandyte bushland laid out before them.

Exploring the Cooperation of Albatross Pools & the Landscaping Team During the Build

This wasn’t a simple project, as we have mentioned above, but it was an excellent opportunity to have our expertise contribute to a wider vision. Anthony Scott Landscape Design was initially engaged to formulate how the property’s upper bank could work to create a variety of living zones capable of providing both year-round entertainment, whilst also acting as a seamless connection between the home and the adjacent bushland. To help with this, an elevated, freeform swimming pool was selected with curved edges to soften the angular lines overly apparent across the deck and residence.

To make this happen, our designers and builders at Albatross Pools had to carefully coordinate their efforts with the professionals at Parkview Landscapes, who were the landscapers handling the execution of the designs, to develop the wave and deep spring curves desired during the component fabrication. Additional attention also had to be placed on the custom floor profiling and bespoke step and bench design featuring multiple tiered concaves and cervixes, as this work goes beyond those of a standard project, regarding fabricating a pool interior with a perfect fit for the allotted space to ensure integrity isn’t compromised.

At the time of installation, we encountered further difficulties, as the property was located on a site where access to the pool was limited. Excavation was made challenging by the sizeable fall of land along the access path, and given the desired finishing height of the pool, combined with the soil condition in the chosen location, further structural engineering was required, including piering.

Appreciating the Completed Result of the Elevated Swimming Pool

Here at Albatross Pools, we love when our team can stretch their talents and deliver a custom designed pool that meets our clients’ every request and more. With the North Warrandyte project, the 6.5m x 5.8m freeform swimming pool was designed to resemble a naturally flowing lagoon, shaped like a fluid triangle, with three distinct waves pulling closer to the home. The antique colour with an interior imitating black pebbles contributes to the lagoon-aesthetic, complemented by the neighbouring bluestone, raw steel elements and large format natural timber decking. There is also a fluid step and bench design introduced to the pool’s internal construction, and edges pushing to sweep across the length of the extended decking space to create the infinity-like feel desired for the final result. With a depth that spans from 1.1m to 1.8m, the corner ‘wave’ holds the deeper area, filled with a set of spa jets alongside a feature ledge to produce the illusion of immersing in a natural deep spring found amongst the Australian bush – the perfect spot across the expansive residence to find tranquillity and intimacy with the beautiful surroundings.

MPBAA Award-Winning Swimming Pool Designers & Builders at Albatross Pools

Despite the complexity of the project, it all appears worth it now, given the family’s delight at seeing their North Warrandyte property – initially purchased for the views – finally catering to their desires for a space to appreciate it.

For over 50 years, Albatross Pools has worked with a selection of clients to deliver a range of MPBAA (Master Pool Builders Association Australia, formerly SPASA Victoria) Award winning steel, pre-engineered swimming pools across Melbourne and wider Victoria. For more information, review our swimming pools Melbourne gallery, or start a conversation with our expert team by contacting Albatross Pools today!

At Albatross Pools, our passion is to create custom designed pools to improve the lives of our clients in whatever way possible. Recently we completed a new design for a Geelong family living in a Highton estate in need of a special request. Their 38-year-old son lives with a disability often requiring professional help within the home, and they were searching for a space he could feel calm, independent and enjoy himself on their new property that was also safe to use. He is short in stature, so needed the pool to be designed with accessibility in mind for easier entry and exit, as well as providing him with the ability to stand at every point. Previously he had been using the public pool, but as he didn’t understand the importance of closing his mouth underwater, he would often swallow a dangerous amount of water, leading to him suffering from an array of unsettling illnesses like gastro. The clients having their own, well-maintained private pool with an alternative chlorination system would mean fewer chemicals present in the water, protecting their son if ingested, as well as being gentler on his skin.

The property itself was newly built upon an elevated block. With some early preparation, we were able to create a smooth design for a swimming pool spanning 8 metres in length, 2 metres in width, with a helpful 1.2 metre staircase off each side to create a final ‘T’ shape design. The final depth was also measured to be 1.16 metres throughout the entire pool to ensure the ability to stand was never compromised and fulfilling the exact designs of our client’s dreams. 

Breaking Down the Build

Exploring the Finished Result

Professionally Designed & Constructed Swimming Pools across Melbourne & Wider Victoria

Albatross Pools is a MPBAA (Master Pool Builders Association Australia, formerly SPASA Victoria) Award winning pool designer and builder, working with a range of diverse clients on barrier-breaking, steel, pre-engineered inground swimming pools throughout Melbourne and wider Victoria. Delivered meeting your exact specifications and assembled onsite, it has never been simpler to receive rapid installation of such custom, quality models for any shape, size or depth. Learn more by browsing our swimming pools Melbourne gallery, or speak with one of our talented professionals by contacting Albatross Pools today!