Innovative Materials and Techniques: Modernizing Pools in Home Architecture
Home architecture is an innovative, dynamic field, always evolving and changing, constantly exploring new ideas and pushing the boundaries. This applies to pools, too, and in recent years, we’ve seen leading design and architecture firms experiment with bold new ways to build pools and blend them with surrounding landscapes and structures, while also adhering to modern standards of sustainability and aesthetics.
Importance of Pools in Modern Home Architecture
Not every home has a pool, but more and more swimming pools are being added to properties all over the globe. And, no matter whether they’re being used for everyday exercise, backyard pool parties with friends and neighbors, splashing around with children, or as a place to make happy, magical memories with the family, pools can play a huge part in modern home architecture.
Indeed, many modern pools are so much more than functional items or exercise areas. They’re focal points for an entire property, drawing attention, catching the eye, and enhancing the vibe, grandeur, and aesthetic appeal of the entire outdoor space. The best modern pool plans even manage to complement the interior of the home, bridging the gap between indoors and outdoors to create one seamless, sublime space.
Innovative Materials for Pool Construction
One of the main areas of innovation in pool design and construction is in the selection of materials used. In the past, only a few simple materials were used, with a big focus on concrete and vinyl. However, in the modern era, we’re seeing a much wider range of material options. Each of these materials has its own pros, cons, and key features, and each one can be used in fresh, exciting ways to make fabulous pool spaces.
Some of the most interesting materials for pool construction include the likes of fiberglass, which offers much more decorative, aesthetic appeal than concrete and can be formed into a range of shapes and styles. Metal pools, made with aluminum and steel, are also becoming more popular, thanks to their sanitary advantages and strength. Then, there are ceramic pools, natural stone pools, and even glass pools, too.
Sustainable and Eco-friendly Materials
In the modern world, sustainability is at the forefront of many design and construction choices. All across the globe, companies are looking for ways to cut down their carbon footprints, minimize waste, connect with nature, and make use of environmentally friendly, sustainable alternatives to the more damaging and destructive choices of the past. This is particularly relevant for pool design, with plenty of exciting, eco-friendly options to choose from.
Recycled Glass Tiles
One of the top options for sustainable pool design is recycled glass tiles. As the name suggests, these tiles are made with pieces of recycled glass that have been used, handed into recycling plants, and then repurposed to make beautiful, unique pools. These tiles can look absolutely wonderful across the floor and walls of swimming spaces, and their minimal eco-footprint makes them a top choice for designers and homeowners in search of a more sustainable option.
Natural Stone Decking
As well as considering the materials used to make the body and walls of the pool, we also need to consider those that are used to make the surrounding space, like the decking and pool area. Again, sustainable options are available, and natural stone decking is one of the very best choices. Various natural stones can be used, from flagstone to slate, bluestone, limestone, and more. Each one has a distinct aesthetic and texture, contributing to some stunning pool designs.
Modern Pool Design Techniques
Many of today’s modern pools look a lot different from their traditional counterparts. In the past, pool design was relatively rudimentary, with basic shapes, simple curves, and a lack of imagination, for the most part. But, in the modern era, pool design has never been more imaginative, dynamic, or exciting, with a myriad of fun and vibrant new techniques, shapes, and design styles to push the boundaries of what a pool can be.
Infinity and Vanishing-Edge Pools
One of the most beautiful and impressive types of modern pool is the infinity pool. Also known as zero edge pools or spillover pools, these pools almost seem to have no clear boundaries. Instead, they tend to feature glass edges that the water simply flows or spills over. This helps to create a kind of optical illusion where the water simply ceases or even appears to be floating in the air. It’s a visual delight, and vanishing-edge or infinity pools are always sure to impress.
The history of this particular pool type goes back further than one might think. The story goes that the first vanishing-edge pool was constructed in 17th-century France. However, it wasn’t until the mid to late 20th century that the idea caught on. Now, such pools are becoming increasingly popular, often associated with luxury resorts and high-end hotels in exotic locations all over the globe.
Zero-entry and Beach-style Pools
Taking the concept of infinity or vanishing-edge pools even further, we have zero-entry pools. Also sometimes known as beach-style pools, these swimming pools are quickly becoming some of the most popular options among homeowners, as well as with hotels and businesses around the world. They’re visually breathtaking, with a range of unique benefits that other pools can’t provide.
As the name suggests, a zero-entry pool doesn’t have the usual steps or ladders for people to get in and out of the water. Instead, it has a beach-style slope that allows the user to simply walk their way into the water gradually, just like stepping into the sea when you’re at the beach. This helps to create a seamless transition between the water itself and the surrounding land, almost like having a little mini beach in one’s own backyard.
The benefits of zero-entry pools are clear to see. They’re more versatile than traditional pools, as people can choose to slowly and gradually enter the water or even simply sit or rest on the slope, only submerging their legs or parts of their body, rather than getting into the water entirely. Such pools are also great for children or those with limited mobility, as they’re easy and safe to step into, and their aesthetic qualities are truly unmatched.
Geometric Shapes
In the past, a lot of pools were made with typical rectangle or oblong shapes. There are various reasons for this, including the simplicity and convenience of working with such basic designs, as well as the cost savings and the lack of imaginative pool design at the time. However, in the modern era, people are more willing to experiment with unique and unusual styles, which has led to a surge in striking geometric pool shapes and designs.
Nowadays, there are almost no limits to what shape a pool can be. Indeed, homeowners may still opt for the classic ovals and oblongs of the past, but it’s now also possible to have square pools, trapeziums, diamonds, stars, circles, octagons, and so on. The only restriction is imagination, as, thanks to modern materials and construction techniques, it’s easier than ever to make pools in any shape, with curved edges, straight lines, or a mixture of the two.
Smart Technology Integration
Another fascinating trend in modern, innovative pool design is the incorporation of new smart technologies and gadgets to make pools more efficient and more pleasant places for people to spend time. We’re seeing smart devices enter so many aspects of home life, from thermostats to control a home’s heating to smart outlets that help to optimize power usage and smart locks to control who can enter a property. It was only a matter of time until those gadgets made their way to the pool.
Nowadays, pool owners can invest in an increasingly broad array of smart pool devices and systems. One of the most obvious options is smart pool heating. With a smart thermostat and heating system, controlling the temperature of the pool’s water no longer needs to be a tedious or tricky manual affair. Instead, owners can rely on the smart sensors to detect surrounding conditions, track the temperature of the water, and make the relevant changes to keep it warm.
Many other smart devices can be integrated into swimming pools. There are smart lighting systems, for example, which can turn on to illuminate the pool space after the sun has set, for instance, and even smart pumps and filters that can activate automatically and issue alerts and notifications regarding the condition and cleanliness of the water. It’s even possible to find smart pool-cleaning robots that skim the water and clean stains from the pool walls.
Sustainability and Energy Efficiency
Another big push in pool innovation, as mentioned earlier, is a focus on sustainability. We’ve already seen how sustainable initiatives and objectives can influence and inform pool material selection, and how more sustainable, eco-friendly materials are proving increasingly popular with modern pool designers. However, that’s not all. Sustainability can also be a big part of various other aspects of pool design, construction, and even maintenance.
Pools typically need various pieces of equipment to keep them clean and enjoyable, like pumps to move the water around and heating systems to maintain warm and pleasant temperatures. Older pumps and heaters tended to be quite wasteful with their energy usage. However, it’s now possible for pool owners to easily invest in an efficient heating system and energy-saving pumps that use far less power to keep the pool clean and warm.
In the field of pool maintenance, too, we’re seeing a gradual shift towards more sustainable, efficient, and eco-friendly solutions. More and more natural pool cleaning solutions and systems are becoming available, giving pool owners alternative options to consider if they don’t wish to pour potentially dangerous chemicals into their pool’s water each month.
Future Trends in Pool Modernization
We only have to look back at the changes in pool design and construction over the last 10 years to see how far pools have come in such a short space of time. But the journey of pool modernization is far from finished. As the years continue to go by, we can expect to see even more innovative and exciting trends emerge, making pools not only more sustainable and efficient but also more beautiful and wonderful than ever before.
In the years ahead, experts are expecting to see continued and persistent emphasis on sustainability. It’s likely that the pools of the future will be infinitely more sustainable than those of today, using renewable, green energy sources, like solar power, to keep the water warm, along with a much greater focus on cleaner, more eco-friendly cleaning solutions to maintain pool hygiene without threatening local wildlife and ecosystems.
We can also expect to see increasing focus on the deployment of smart technology for swimming pools. This may include much more remote management of things like pool temperature and cleanliness, with apps and automated systems that can keep the water clean and warm without the need for any manual effort, whatsoever. Eventually, pools may be more or less entirely self-regulating, able to stay clean, clear, fresh, and safe all year long.
Overall, it’s clear that pool design has come a long way over the years, with modern pools not only looking better than ever but blending more seamlessly with surrounding architecture and boasting uniquely smart features and sustainable advantages over their traditional counterparts. In short, pools have changed a lot, but there’s still much work to be done in terms of efficiency, sustainability, and design, and the future of the swimming pool has never looked brighter.
Also, read – https://thearchspace.com/best-practices-your-swimming-pool-contractors-must-know-tips-when-you-hire-the-experts/
-By Sophia
Sophia is an experienced exterior designer with over 5 years of expertise in crafting stunning outdoor spaces. Her creative vision and attention to detail have transformed numerous environments into captivating landscapes. Currently, she contributes her expertise to the innovative team at Designs by PoolAid, where her passion for design continues to shape inspiring outdoor experiences.
