This state-of-the-art lap pool may be located on the roof, but three impressive windows ensure its presence is felt throughout
the home in extraordinary fashion
As inner-city blocks are getting smaller, designers are making use of the airspace above by adding second or third storeys, vertical gardens and rooftop entertaining areas. With some design ingenuity, building up can ensure homeowners have all the amenities they desire regardless of their land size. The designers of this home and pool took this concept one step further by positioning the pool on the roof of the home.
The unconventional layout is a true design triumph, with three pool windows connecting the pool to the living areas below, doubling as skylights to the hallway, living room and kitchen. One panel faces the entrance of the home, creating a striking visual feature to welcome and surprise guests. “The cleverly positioned windows provide light in the contemporary living space,” says Chris Jackson, managing director of Aquarius Pools. “The pool provides a stunning water feature from many aspects of the residence, including the outdoor courtyard, the upstairs family room and from the home’s entrance.”
Complex engineering was required to suspend the pool within the ceiling of the house. “The pool is supported by four steel columns which are connected at the top by two steel beams that traverse the pool floor and support the weight of the entire pool,” explains Chris. “When full of water, the pool weighs approximately 50 tonnes. The pool walls contain eight times more reinforced steel than the average pool and act as enormous concrete beams to allow the pool to span 7.5m between the two steel beams.”
An Aqualink in-house system provides fingertip control of the pool from inside the home or remotely using an iPad or iPhone. This state-of-the-art pool design was recently recognised at the 2016 SPASA National Awards, winning Pool of the Year. The pool also won Pool of the Year at the SPASA Vic awards, as well Most Innovative Pool and Best Concrete Lap Pool.
