It takes teamwork to build large pool projects

A group effort

On large scale projects the team principle becomes paramount as miles of conduit need to be installed and labelled—audio/visual conduits are installed throughout the entire site, while lighting conduits and cables are often routed through concrete walls and decks. Electricians play a vital role from the initial electrical bonding of the pool to the final mechanical hookups. Forgotten lines and conduits will haunt the project manager at later stages in the project. Further, drainage and waterlines must also be routed, while plumbers need to install sanitary lines for outdoor toilets and showers.

Detailed designs, schematics, and a thorough fail-safe check system will ensure the necessary utilities are on-site and located precisely. Redundancy and extra capacity is always the better way to go and is ultimately an economical insurance policy.

Other trades on-site include rebar, forming, shotcrete, gunite, pool hydraulics, tiling, plaster, and concrete finishers. Accessory buildings (e.g. pool houses and/or gazebos) require nearly every tradesperson that would be involved in constructing a home—from framers, roofers, eaves troughs, caulking, drywallers, stucco, stone masons, plumbers, electricians, HVAC, gas, A/V, designers, waterproofing, and of course the project manager.

The areas surrounding the water shape are generally the responsibility of the landscaper. This includes drainage, swales, stonework, fencing, irrigation, outdoor lighting, softscape, hardscape, and general site cleanup.

As the project progresses, time and budget constraints soon become apparent. Patience wears thin for staff, clients, and neighbours. Every project has its cyclical ups and downs. The finishing stages of a project can take just as long or, in some cases, much longer than the construction phase.

Co-ordinating trades, site organization, and endless project details contribute to the systematic chaos towards the conclusion of a major project. New home projects can drag on for years; in most cases, indoor basement pools are the first item to be roughed in and the last to be commissioned.

Other expert consultants and team members that play a role in many projects include artists, sculptors, faux rock installers, fire feature specialists, and detail designers.

Finally, a team is not complete without someone managing the financial and accounting aspects of the project. Cost control, planning, budgeting, collections, cash flow, purchases, and overall cost management determine whether or not a project is on track to be profitable.

It takes a large, diverse, and talented group of individuals, working as a team to successfully sell, design, and build a large residential water shape and its surroundings.

Barry Justus is the owner of Poolscape Inc., and Justus International Consulting. He is an international lecturer and author of more than 40 articles on pool design and construction. Justus is also a fellow of the Society of Watershape Designers (SWD) and a member of Pool & Spa Marketing’s editorial advisory board (EAB). More than 90 per cent of his projects designed and built over the last decade have won a national or international award. He can be reached via e-mail at barry@poolscape.com.

A detail designer is a welcome addition to the team

By Claire Hall Having a detail designer as part of the water shape team can ensure the backyard is well-balanced, so the eye takes in the entire scope of the project and allows the viewer to see the beauty of the complete design, without focusing on one specific aspect, such as the pool. The detail designer makes sure there is a smooth transition from the home’s architecture and interior design to the outdoor elements. The colours selected need to work with the atmosphere created in the backyard; therefore, it is the detail designer’s job to choose hues, tints, and/or shades that not only the client likes, but will also work with the design as a whole. Colour establishes harmony within the design and is the easiest and most dramatic way to create instant change. If a client is keen on bold colours, encourage the client to choose dramatic accessories that can be easily changed each year and keep permanent elements such as tile and concrete more neutral. Art in the environment A well-designed backyard should create a feeling of Zen, calmness, and tranquility. A connection can be created between built elements (e.g. pool, furniture, etc.) and the outdoor setting. Art and well executed exterior design expresses pride in one’s environment. On large scale projects, the pool company will become a de facto general contractor, so the need for an exterior/detail designer becomes even more paramount in the planning of outdoor rooms, kitchens, cabanas, guest houses, bars, washrooms, saunas, and television lounges. After choosing the safe path of working in the corporate world, Claire Hall realized she did not want to look back on life with any regrets, so she decided to take a chance and pursue art as a full-time career. Today, Hall creates custom art for various clients including hotels, condo corporations, corporate offices, and private collectors. Her artwork has been featured on episodes of Property Brothers and Buying and Selling. Claire’s latest venture is working with Poolscape Inc., an international award-winning company, as an exterior designer. She can be reached via e-mail at claire@clairehalldesign.com.