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Diving into the story behind ‘Ladies of the Lake’

The living fractal: from the round sunken fire pit, through the art pedestals, to the round hot tub, the design embodies a captivating geometric harmony.
The living fractal: from the round sunken fire pit, through the art pedestals, to the round hot tub, the design embodies a captivating geometric harmony. Photos @GordonHawkinsPhotos/courtesy Hampton Pools and Landscape

Sourcing and transporting the trailer, craning it over the house, and installing and stabilizing the structure on its pad, was only the beginning of this structure’s journey. Careful woodwork, artisan joinery, rounded corners, original hardware, and chrome edges were also installed, along with rewiring the insides and replacing the original exterior lights with LEDs inside their original casings so the pool house was lit up both inside and out.

Focal points and elements

The fire feature and hot tub, positioned at the endpoints of the arch or fractal, were ingeniously fashioned to create an illusion of suspension away from the deck. With keen craftsmanship, a deliberate void was designed between the deck and these features, imparting the effect if as though they float independently within the space. This carefully calculated distance added to the visual allure, creating an ambiance of depth and sophistication.

Lighting played a pivotal role in accentuating this arrangement, as it was strategically placed to cast a glow that enhances the suspended appearance, emphasizing the fire pit and hot tub as focal points within the seamless design of the arch. The play of light and shadow accentuate the illusion, rendering the fire feature and hot tub as suspended, despite being cantilevered, becoming turret-like features within the architectural narrative of the space.

Despite its sunken position, the fire feature still offers an unobstructed view of the Okanagan Valley, emphasizing its dual role: being part of the fractal design while providing an intimate, functional, and inviting conversation space.

The balance between the fire feature’s integration into the arch design and its strategic placement was for both esthetic and functional purposes. A custom fire bowl was designed by Hampton then made by a local artisan to fit the dimensions of the circle’s radius. The toppers of the art pedestals were fabricated by the same artisan to echo the same design across the various elements.

The prefabricated hot tub seems to hover in mid-air as it was lowered onto a custom-made landing. This platform, cantilevered out beyond the edge, gives the illusion of the hot tub hanging suspended out over the best vantage point on the property.

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