Designing a pool in a backyard with minimal space on a cliff

by Sally Bouorm | April 1, 2014 12:46 pm

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By Tim Valerioti

This project, like any other, commenced with a typical client meeting that started out at the front door and ended looking off an upper deck at a cliff where the client wanted to create a spectacular entertainment space with a pool as the centrepiece. There was a major problem, however. The lay of the land only provided 2.7 m (9 ft) of usable space out from the house to build everything. This was the first meeting of a project that would push everyone who worked on it to think outside the box, to create the ultimate backyard getaway.

The sales phase

After getting a feel for each other (the client was referred through an associate), the customer did some further background referencing on the company to make sure they were comfortable with moving forward.

References are important for builders as they provide third-party validation for their company and the quality of work they perform. The key is making sure the benefits of using references are thought out well in advance. For example, most clients typically look for reference letters, but more importantly, should a past client take time to speak to a prospective customer, a thank you gift is a great way to show appreciation—especially if they allow the prospective client to visit their house to see the completed project.

Current satisfied customers are best; however, the company’s past clients over the years are also good for people to see. Keep in mind, it is good to know what the reference is going to say as some builders have been blindsided during a sales meeting about something a previous customer may have said. Always touch base with the referral and verify it is ok if the potential client contacts them directly.

Portfolio pictures, either printed or digital, are great for the sales process as well. They help the customer see what type of work the company is capable of and gives the builder an early idea of what it is they like.

That said, this project incorporated a couple of site visits to allow the new client to see the calibre of work performed and to give them a sense of stability with the builder. As an aside, keep the site visits short and, if possible, have them speak with the homeowners briefly as well—a third-party approval of the company goes a long way in helping the sales process move along.

With this particular client, they were an out of town customer who wanted a pool for their summer home. They had a general idea of what they wanted, but were really looking for someone who had the experience to pull off such a challenging project, while at the same time bringing creativity into the process as well.

Finally, after several onsite meetings and reference checks, a design contract was completed. This was the first step to slowing working together to create a wonderful backyard entertainment space for their family and friends.

The design phase

Designers always like to create new things and push the limits in terms of what can be built. The hard part for the pool builder is turning the design into reality; the even harder part is doing this on some sort of budget.

For this project, several design iterations where required before the client finalized the look and feel they wanted, in addition to what could feasibly be built on the property. Going through all the features they wanted and incorporating them into a relatively small space was a huge challenge. From a long lap pool with water features, fire, full spa, lounge deck, swim-up bar, kitchen, fireplace, TV’s, lighting, audio, pool house, and on, the list was extensive.

Therefore, due to the limitations the property provided, it was necessary to go through all of the ‘wish-for items’ and narrow them down to the ‘must-have items.’ At this point, the project budget was discussed. Typically, customers have a number in mind they are willing to invest in a project as there are two types of features—investment and love.

Investment features are elements others will see value in should the customer decide to sell their house; love features are those the customer will spend a lot of money on because it is something they really want and like. Either way, it is important to explain to clients, depending on the type of project, which features they have selected are love features. That is not to say these features are not okay, but they need to understand someone else may not see the rational in the money spent in adding certain features.

This is why it is a good idea to discuss the budget during the design phase to avoid wasted time and money on something the client is not willing to pay for. Helping the customer understand that simply adding a waterfall feature to the design is not just a few hundred dollars is important so they can decide if they really want the feature.

Every customer is different and their financial ability to create a pool/entertainment space varies. Therefore, the builder needs to determine as best they can early on what this number is so they can guide the design process accordingly. For instance, windows in a pool look great on paper, but if the customer does not have the means to invest in this type of feature than designing it is not the right step.

By the time the design is completed, the client should know exactly what the finished project is going to cost. Clients need to be informed, not surprised after investing their time in designing their dream backyard because the budget is not always a part of the discussion.

Preventing dreams from going over a cliff

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The first problem to overcome in the design phase of this project was how to integrate a large pool, spa, and complete entertainment space onto a cliff. The anomaly in this case was normally one can build upwards from the cliff by creating a number of retaining walls to complete this space; however, due to building restrictions from zoning, which limited construction to within 4.5 m (15 ft) of the house, building down the cliff was not an option. Therefore, it was decided the pool would be designed to slightly hang over the edge.

The challenge here was to come up with something that was structurally sound and still met the customer’s expectations. This design concept can be likened to that of standing on the bow of a ship, having the feeling of being out on the edge of a great view.

To do this, wraparound decks were added, which hung off the pool and put the customer out over the cliff. This was the first step in making the impossible possible.

Another design issue was figuring out a way to create privacy from neighbours, while at the same time maintaining sightlines. To do this, the project’s major feature requirements were used to overcome these challenges. For example, by placing the pool house at one end with a sloping roofline, it cut off the neighbour’s upper deck from looking down on the client’s lounge/spa areas, while on the opposite side, a water wall was integrated into the design to fulfil the client’s wish of incorporating the sound of falling water into the project.

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The water wall design comprised a 2.4-m (8-ft) high weeping wall, which further helped privatize the backyard space by blocking out nearby neighbours without cutting out the view of sunsets. Again, due to the limited setback and building guidelines, creativity had to be used to achieve the necessary privacy while working on the cantilevered decks. Structures and walls were not permitted past a certain point, but the space still needed to provide the feel of being alone on the front of a ship bow. Another design element saw the use of large privacy glass panels, which would still allow the client to look out, while preventing neighbours from seeing inside.

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Throughout the design process, 2-D and 3-D design elements were used; including 3-D fly overs/through movies for the client to watch. These are great tools to help give the client a sense of how the project will feel when completed. Now, with the pre-design phase completed, the next step was the planning stage. This did not mean the designing was over, as with all projects the plans are always evolving and a builder is never really finished re-designing until the project is completed.

Pre-construction planning

As with all pools, especially projects in the northern states and Canada, customers tend to want to be able to use their pools the same summer construction starts. This is not always possible, however, one way to help increase the number of installation projects and their efficiency is to start with a good design.

[5]Although this may seem like common sense, the scope of planning can be very subjective and pressured by time. When in full production, most companies will have a number of projects on the go at the same time; therefore, the key is putting the effort in before the project starts to help prevent costly delays or mistakes as well as to limit future problems down the road. A $300 meeting of key personal can easily save a company $10,000 or more in production efficiencies, construction delays, and onsite mistakes.

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For this project, a comprehensive construction timeline was put together, which outlined all of the major deliverables, which were then further broken down into smaller project schedules. This helped get all the parties involved early on in the project so potential issues could be addressed in advance. Project particulars, such as how to build a suspended pool and deck system while not undermining the house foundation were looked at extensively. Pre-construction time was spent in a room going over this process and how it was going to be executed. For example, these discussions included the amount of time the existing house pillars could be supported while the excavation work took place and the pool walls could be poured.

Working with various engineers to see what different options there were to make everything work helped keep this project on budget. Even the best plans in construction will change, but at least having a guideline in advance helped when bigger issues occurred, and they did.

All city planning and engineering departments were also involved well in advance of the season starting, which allowed the project to hit the ground running when the weather allowed. After months of design and planning to the point when construction was ready to begin, there was one more thing that had to be done before any shovels could hit the ground, which was talk to the neighbours.

Ah, neighbours

Customers routinely ask what some of the biggest challenges are on these projects. There are a few that can be mentioned such as weather delays, sub-contractor timing, and engineering changes; however, it is neighbours who cause the biggest problems. Not just the people next door, but those down the street or even blocks away. Many pool builders have had to deal with neighbours who suddenly think the project will destroy their way of life; therefore, it is a good idea to arrange a meet and greet with key people involved in the project.

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Another method builders use is going door-to-door and introducing themselves to neighbours, but more importantly, clients should do the same. This helps prevent neighbours from feeling as though they are on the outside looking in. By creating this personal connection, it is more difficult for them to complain or call the city.

Making sure the neighborhood is kept clean, from sweeping the sidewalks, to picking up garbage and washing the road, are the little things that put the builder and homeowner in a good light when issues do come up.

Unfortunately, on this project, people several kilometres away called the city to complain the project looked out of place on the cliff. At this point, the project was only halfway completed and none of the finishing touches were installed to integrate the pool and deck with its surroundings, but this person wanted to complain. As a result, city inspectors called to verify the project would be finished as per the plan, but with the addition of more plants to satisfy the neighbour, thus appeasing the city and keeping the project from coming to a halt.

This is just one example of how neighbours can make a project more difficult to complete. It is hard to make everyone happy, but keeping most of them onside can help builders carry a project through.

Overall, a lot of time and resources were spent to get the project ready for construction; however, this was the easy part. The real challenge was yet to come when it would be time to excavate for the pool.

Editor’s Note: In a following issue, Valerioti will discuss the trials and tribulations of excavating the site for the swimming pool, as well as other various stages of construction to design completion.

 

Tim Valerioti, BA, BBA, CSC, is the founder and president of Hampton Pools and Landscape Construction, a pool/spa and landscaping firm in Kelowna, B.C. He has more than 20 years of experience in construction and business and financial management and has grown the company into an award-winning, multi-faceted design/build firm. After establishing Hampton Pools and Landscape, he expanded his expertise and further developed his design skills over many unique and challenging projects. He can be reached via e-mail at tim@hamptonliving.ca[8].

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