infinity pools
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Infinity Pools A Special Collection of Dramatic Pools $12.99TRANSCRIPT
A Special Collection of Dramatic Pools Built to Inspire
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As dusk falls, the shades and tones found in the sky and in the nearby waterway echo the pool’s finish. The merging of the two is perfectly done, fooling even the most analytical eyes.Photograph by Trevor J. Rosendahl, Nitelites. Pools by John Clarkson, Jacksonville, Fla.
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One of the most dramatic effects found in the art of
poolscaping is the infinity edge.
Made to fool the eye into believing that the
pool and the natural setting it overlooks are one, this type of
pool is perfect for homes with exquisite views. You will see infinity
pools appear in amazing spots: cantilevered off hillsides, perched
on mountainsides, and surveying the bright lights of nearby
cityscapes. Venues near water, however, are the most popular——and
for a good reason. They are also the most spectacular. But no
matter where the pool is situated, it captures the imagination with
its incredible ability to astonish even the most jaded of viewers.
Throughout this book you will find a variety of breathtaking
images featuring pools “spilling” into tropical lagoons, magnificent
mountainscapes, and other picture-perfect vistas——and each photo
illustrates why this type of pool is so awe-inspiring. While new
designs and concepts for swimming pools are always being
devised, infinity pools remain a popular choice for homeowners
who want to bring the grandeur they see on
the horizon into their reality.
InfinityPools
A Special Collection of DramaticPools…Built to Inspire
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How the Effect Is Created
Called by a variety of names——vanishing edge,
negative edge, knife edge, disappearing edge, and
flooded edge—— infinity-edge pools are not the
invention of modern pool builders: one of the first
pools featuring water flowing over an edge
appeared in Europe during the late 1800s. It was
not until more recently, however, that the concept
caught the attention of homeowners everywhere——
thanks to Hollywood. Demand grew as exotic
With a wet bar and hydrotherapy jets, this pool features two spectacular levels,with the upper pool flowing over its infinity edge into the lower pool. Aquart, Santa Cruz, Costa Rica
Valley Pool and Spa, Kelowna, B.C., Canada
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infinity-edge pools began to appear in movies and
in magazine photo stories; as that demand grew,
so did the skill required by pool builders to create the
desired effect. Today, building specialists constantly
devise new ideas to bring this design to even higher
levels of sophistication and beauty.
The basics have not changed over the years:
They begin and end with a knowledge of structural
engineering. Although the pool water appears to
mysteriously flow into infinity, it is in fact emptying
into a catch basin and is then recirculated back into
the main pool. A walk to the other side of the pool
dispels the magic.
The first thing you will notice is the weir wall. This is
an important part of the system as this is where the
water flows down as it descends into the catch basin.
Because it can be seen from a number of vantage
points, it is also a vital part of the design. Technically, it
has to be flawlessly planned and built; visually, it has to
complement the entire design.
The catch basin also plays a key role in building the
perfectly-crafted infinity-edge pool. The designer has to
make sure it is large enough and wide enough to keep
the water flowing evenly and smoothly, but that doesn’t
mean it has to be work-a-day in appearance. Some
designers go for the big splash by allowing the basin
to play a starring role all its own; others prefer to
blend it into the landscaping, barely allowing it
to make an appearance.
Tricks of the Trade
The challenge of bringing far-off vistas into a
carefully crafted setting is one that experienced pool
designers handle with practiced ease. Since their goal is
In this case, the weir wall is serving triple duty: mechanically, artistically, and musically. All Island Gunite Pools, Farmingdale, N.Y.
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Here is a wonderful example of how the poolbuilder used the nearby woodland as a point
of observation for the infinity edge. Lewis Aquatech Pools, Chantilly, Va.
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infinity pool appear as if it is emptying into the
vast blueness of the ocean, a designer will choose
a pool finish that will create the same blue color
in the pool. This makes the pool look as if it’s
flowing into the ocean and vice versa.
As light hits the scene, it is hard for the eye to
discern the beginning of one vessel and the end
of the other; this achieves the ultimate swimming
pool illusion.
Another spectacular effect is when the infinity
edge seems to cascade into the setting on the
other side of the property line——most often a
Advanced Pools, Rancho Cordova, Calif.
Cabana Pools Aquatech, Houston, Texas
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The meticulously landscaped scenery is best enjoyed fromthe clean lines of the negative-edgepool. Note the designof water feature: it, too,is a vanishing edge. Lewis Aquatech Pools,Chantilly, Va.
Memphis Pool, Collierville, Tenn.
Photographed by Keith Sutter Photography for Dal Pino Quality Pools, Inc., Auburn, Calif.
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