This distinctively shaped pool was built by Cipriano Custom Pools & Landscaping of Bergen County N.J. The surface of its shell was created with over 440,000 individual pieces of glass tile that were mapped out by Auto CAD, resulting in a seamless transition of color. The installation included a dolomitic limestone deck with a custom G-clef stone inlay and a planting pallette featuring Shasta daisy, catmint, and pink evergreen azalea. Two koi ponds, symbolizing the bow of the violin, cross the pool at the violin's neck.

Luxury pool builder Cipriano Custom Pools & Landscaping, which is located in Bergen County N.J., recently completed a true masterpiece of a pool and was applauded with a number of awards including Best in Competition from the Northeast Spa and Pool Association.

The project came about when the homeowner, an amateur violin player and collector, approached the firm with an idea of building a swimming pool in the shape of an 18th century Stradivarius violin, including its most intricate parts such as the chinrest, tailpiece, purfling, f-holes, and bridge.

With the idea in place, the next step was to find an appropriate scale for the pool so it would fit the size of the house and property while still functioning properly as a swimming pool. The final dimensions are 90 feet long by 31 feet at the widest point of the body, and 16 ???(R)???AE? feet at its narrowest point. The neck tapers from eight feet in width near the body of the violin down to six feet at the end.

Crafting the Stradivarius
The pool's "violin" elements include:
The purfling, a narrow decorative edge that was created with a custom stone inlay around the edge of the pool.

The slightly raised chinrest, which is also a 12-person overflow spa finished in jet-black glass tiles. Although the water from the spa recirculates from the pool, it appears as though the water is overflowing into the pool. The spa is complete with 16 jets.

The violin strings, which are depicted with black glass tile on the floor of the pool for daytime viewing, and come alive at night thanks to 5,760 strands of fiber optics that are interlaced and wired to 40 illuminators.

And the bridge, f-holes and tailpiece, which are also depicted with black glass tile on the floor of the pool.

Working in an 81,270 square-foot backyard, the dimensions of the pool came out to 90 feet long by 31 feet at the widest point of the body, and 16 ???(R)???AE? feet at its narrowest point. The neck tapers from eight feet in width near the body of the violin down to six feet at the end.

 

The koi ponds feature 250 fiber optic star lights and are filled with water lilies, irises, and other aquatic plants. The landscaped trees, a Saucer magnolia, two Persian parrotia, two Miss Kim lilacs, a Bloodgood Japanese maple and a Japanese black pine are lit with FX Luminaire spot lights.

The flowerbed just below the pool is planted with blue-mist shrub, pink knock out roses and fountain grass.

Decking out the Pool
The surface of the pool replicates the wood stain of a violin and transitions from red to brown in all four directions. To create this look, Cipriano Custom Pools & Landscaping worked closely with the tile manufacturer, which created 15 custom tile blends in a four-way gradient design. More than 440,000 individual glass tiles were then mapped out using Auto CAD, resulting in a seamless transition of color.

The pool is lit with 350 feet of hidden fiber optic rope lighting, which runs through 36 conduits and is woven through the joints of the glass tile. Lights are synchronized to the underwater audio system through a DMX controller.

Two koi ponds, which symbolize the bow of the violin, cross the pool at the violin's neck and are filled with water lilies, irises, and other aquatic plants. These separate functioning water systems are visible from inside the pool through two acrylic panels and also feature 250 fiber optic star lights.

The pool deck was constructed with dolomitic limestone supplied by Valders Stone. To add to the musical theme, a subtle G-clef pattern was incorporated into the overall design of the deck and the pool.

The pumps in the pool are from Pentair, which also provided the LED lights. The pool heater is from Raypack. Oceanside glass tile was used throughout the project. Fiberstars, which was recently acquired by S.R. Smith Lighting, supplied the fiber optic lights.

Enhancing the Backdrop
Although the focus of this project is the pool, the completion of the project rested on the planting design. Numerous types of plants were installed throughout the various plant beds, such as white fir, blue hosta and Virginia sweet spire to name a few. Trees were also added to the landscape and include Heritage River birch, Deodar cedar and Yoshino cherry.

Although the strings of the violin are depicted with black glass tile, to create a nighttime effect, they are also interlaced with 5,760 strands of fiber optics that are wired to 40 illuminators.

The perimeter of the pool is lit with 350-feet of hidden fiber optic rope lighting, which runs through 36 conduits and is woven through the joints of the glass tile.

The slightly raised chinrest doubles as a 12-person overflow spa and is finished in jet-black glass tiles.

Another important feature throughout the landscape is the low voltage LED path lights, well lights, and spot lights. The lighting system can use iPhone controls for the on/off functions and to change the light colors in the fixtures.

The project also includes a natural stone outdoor kitchen and bar with a sink, trash compactor, refrigerator, two warming drawers, and more. The outdoor living area has a 60-inch built-in television with a surround sound system. When it's not in use, the TV can be completely lowered into the structure, maintaining the picturesque view of the landscape.

Other awards won by this impressive work include Best Gunite Swimming Pool, the People's Choice Award, and the Gold Award for Glass Tiled Pools from the Northeast Spa and Pool Association, as well as the 2014 Pinnacle Award from Luxury Pools.

All together, the project took about 10 months to complete. Like a well-composed musical arrangement, it should provide enjoyment for many years.