Pools, Pool Pavilions and Pool Houses  

William Green Architects embrace the opportunity that designing for a swimming pool presents. Whether indoors or outside, swimming pools often have open-plan space requirements served from more cellular functional spaces. A combination that can be both intimate and dramatic and be reflected in the Architecture.

Pools are the centre of attention for a significant period of the day, and so it is important the design caters for the changing needs of the users, from midday sun lounging to twilight suppers.  

There are numerous considerations, but foremost are how does one use and interact with the pool and how will the pools orientation provide interest. Fundamentals considered early in the project will pay dividends over the life span of the pool.

The visual ‘look’ of the pool is also a key consideration; we all have an image in our mind of what a pool should look like; however, we question this preconceived vision and ask why. The pool, pool pavilion, and pool house are integral pieces of architecture that should be considered together and in context. Should the pool be an overt statement or a tasteful garden feature are all part of the early design brief.

Likewise, the detail design poses lots of opportunity for Architects; for example, there is a mediative beauty to looking at water and a pool provides a great opportunity to embrace this. How does the water get into the pool? Does it cascade down a feature wall or does it silently weave its way through the landscape as it journeys to the pool? All exciting elemental aspects that can combine to enhance the experience.

The type of pool is also fundamental as one builds the brief. WGA works closely with specialists to establish whether one is more preferable than another, be it a swim pond, salt, fresh or chlorinated water pool.  

In the UK perhaps the biggest consideration is whether the pool should be inside or out. This answer is subjective, either way creating designs for a pool pavilion or pool houses offers fantastic scope to create a piece of distinctive Architecture. WGA feel that modern architecture really sits comfortably when designing a pool enclosure and it works in both traditional and modern settings. WGA will create a minimalist design with carefully considered detail amidst a palette of natural indigenous materials that will always combine to create an exquisitely elegant solution.

We like to be playful with the environments we create and consider pool specific aspects like whether the shower has a picture window overlooking a wood or a 5 mile view across a valley, or is it a more intimate, tactile experience of the local walling stone enclosing the shower. The opportunities for design to celebrate each aspect makes designing Pool Pavilions and Pool Houses very exciting.

All of us at William Green Architects enjoy bringing these deeply connected solutions to our projects and having like-minded clients, who appreciate architecture and share these goals.