Pool Perfection

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DESIGNER SKETCH

Hometown: Ferguson, Missouri
Years in the industry: 48
Years at Westport Pools: 43
Thoughts on pool design: The design of a pool should be approached as the focal point of the entire outdoor living and entertainment space.
My goal at Westport Pools: "To create a unique installation for each of our clients."

www.westportpools.com

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What is the first step for homeowners who desire a pool to complete their outdoor living space?
The first step is for the family to list and prioritize the functions they want the pool to serve. When my wife and I designed our pool, our list of priorities resulted in a small stone pool several feet from our front door. Water cascades from the pool and runs through a water garden filled with lilies and goldfish. Then the water goes over a waterfall into the main lagoon, which includes a shallow entry section for our dogs. At the opposite end of the lagoon is a negative edge where water drops into a rock stream that runs into a final small stone pool. 

What are the options when it comes to pool shapes and styles?
The possibilities are endless. Anything from a formal Roman style with brick or stone decking to a natural blue lagoon, surrounded by natural stone, boulder walls, plantings and a modified actual deck area, can be designed to capture a family’s imagination. Recent technological advances in the pool industry bring new options in the areas of energy conservation (variable speed pumps and ultra-high-efficiency heaters), saltwater chlorine generators, automatic control systems and extremely attractive and durable finishes for the pool and deck. 

How can extended features complement any setting?
Over half of our projects include a spa, and many are elevated, with waterfalls that trickle or plunge into the pool. These are actually two separate bodies of water maintained at significantly different temperatures. Streams, waterfalls, grottos concealed behind waterfalls, swim-up bars, wet walls, firepits, diving rocks, lap lanes, beaches and current channels are all features that we have included in designs to transform a family’s dreams into reality.

What timeline can be expected for completion of an outdoor pool?
Westport divides each project into four phases: design, permitting, construction and commissioning, which includes hands-on training for our homeowners. The size and complexity of the project and permitting authority significantly impact the timeline. Generally, once permits are obtained, residential pools are completed in four to six weeks. We had one extensive project with a duration of nine months from initial contact to commissioning; this project was the Aquatech Society’s 2009 Gold Medal winner.