ENGLISH CORNER
OUR LAST ONLINE DESIGN AND PROJECT MANAGEMENT PROJECT
DIY swimming pool
After receiving from customer the plot plan, the photos and his wishes, I immediately got the inspiration for designing this swimming pool. The customer wanted to have an overflow pool, with an automatic cover, a submerged beach and a stone decking.
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After some emails for exchanging ideas, I could send some days after drawings, engineering brief, check list for allowing customer to select and manage the building people (mason, plumber, tiler ....).
During the works, I provided also an helpline to be able by phone and skype to solve any doubt or problem. This service was quite important for this customer who began his self-construction project.
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The result is absolutely fine and one time more I was very proud to help this customer to get such a swimming pool for a very reasonable price, saving ± 30% from the contractors quotes he got previously.
Don't hesitate to ask for any project, anywhere!
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Mission E: Design and Construction Helpline
More and more people today have decided to independently take on the construction of their swimming pool. Whether this due to today’s economic context or simply a result of the satisfaction self-construction generates, people are now willing (and able) to tackle swimming pool projects on their own or with the help of their plumber/builder.
Without any false modesty, we believe that a lot of it has to do with the growing trend favouring unique and personalised designs like ours AND the greater availability of information that clarifies complex technical concepts.
However, the call of clients, friends, builders (some of which had never even requested any of our designs) seeking our expertise is, for us, proof that what is now needed is personalised, effective and on-going support for those people who have began their self-construction projects. In order to respond to this need, we have set-up, in addition to our first 4 missions (ABCD), a construction site helpline (appropriately named Mission E) that can put you in direct contact with us, either by phone or Skype.
This fifth service enables you to make use of our expertise in the swimming pool and spa construction domain, regardless of the type of project you had in mind, and regardless of the stage of the construction you are at presently.
We encourage you to prepare your questions beforehand in order to make the most out of your time.
Important: Once again, it should be noted that, as in previous missions, this type of service does not replace the work of other construction professionals. Our advice will be based on our 25 years of experience in the creation and construction of swimming pools, spa’s, ponds, etc...We may, then, not be aware of more specific constraints resulting from the terrain or unrelated technical limitations.
See also Missions A & B - Mission C - Mission D
How to mix types of overflows
In the last three articles we have outlined the main types of overflows you could expect to find in any given swimming pool.
Moving away from the detailed descriptions of said overflows, I now want to tackle a more practical question:
Is it possible for us to mix and match different types of overflows together?
The answer is, in reality, quite simple: Absolutely! It is perfectly acceptable, and possible, for you to engage in a form of collage of different overflows. In fact, if you require a more isolated area in your pool ( jacuzzi, kiddie pool, etc…), I would even recommend using a skimmer system alongside the overflow one. Why? Because, as we have already seen, different overflows and systems serve different purposes and are always better suited to certain needs. If you want a pool that can satisfy a variety of needs, and respect the complex characteristics of your landscape and lifestyle, mixing and matching is the best option for you.
The two photos below illustrate two separate occasions where I decided to mix a deck level overflow with an infinity edge one. As you can see, this was the only solution to simultaneously ensure the visibility of the entire water surface and respect the clients' steep terrains.
What do you think? Do not hesitate to comment and express your views on the mix&match approach?
You would like to discuss about your project, contact us!
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'What sound do I want my infinity pool to make?'
When designing your infinity pool, it is important for you to know that there is the possibility of choosing between a silent overflow and a more noisy one ( ie: resembling the sound of waterfall)
However, I should warn you. Many of our clients who initially opted for the waterfall infinity pool have, later on, come to regret their decisions. Why? The cascading noise soon became very distracting and lost its original charm. As a result, we had to modify the original profile of the overflow in order to obtain the more discrete sound of trickling water.
Here's how we create the two different sound effects:
1) Waterfall: By having the edge of the pool suspended in mid-air, the water stays away from the vertical wall and free-falls into the lower pools. This creates the waterfall effect.
2)Silent: However, in this case, the edge and vertical wall are perfectly joined together: The water has no other choice than to trickle down the vertical wall, which ensures the resulting noise remains minimal.
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Infinity Edge Pool
Because of its unparalleled aesthetic impact, this is, without a doubt, one of the most well known type of overflow in the world.
It is most often used for steep terrains and, thus, usually, only occupies one side of the pool. By looking out from the patio or the inside of the house, you get the illusion that the water disappears off the edge of the horizon.
As shown by the diagram, the success of this type of overflow is dependant on the overflow channel being completely invisible (and silent) from all angles. You can only guarantee this by having the adequate profile. Anything less, and you will also inevitably have to deal with a cacophony of noises set on by the resulting waterfall. (If, however, some of you looking for this kind of realistic waterfall, don't worry! It's quite easy to do: Discussed in our forthcoming article )
To illustrate my point regarding the need for an adequate profile, I've added two photos below: One taken from the overflow looking towards the house, and vice versa. As you can see, the water remains relatively still and does not cascade out into the lower part of the swimming pool.
This is, by far, my favourite type of overflow. In fact, the majority of projects I've worked on have it in some capacity.
But, what do you think of it? Please leave your comments and questions below.
You would like to discuss about your project, contact us!
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