Art on the Water

By Christopher Anderson

The hardscape is made up of Light Walnut Travertine 12 X 12-inch coping bordered by a 12 X 12-inch 1⁄2-inch pebble accent tile, and surrounded by a versi-pattern light walnut decking. The glass tile spillways are pushed by four Pentair Intelliflow 4 X 160 pumps. The project required nine 20-foot bell-bottom support piers as well as 75 feet of 16 X 16-inch support beam. The forming of this massive structure took several days. The interior walls of the pool and planters were entirely formed in plywood. As with any negative edge pool the tile lines had to be perfect and the complete levelness of the pool was required to achieve the 360-degree spillover. Photos courtesy of Phillip Hammel

Coping with a limited space and a fall of 12 feet over only 20 feet of length, The Marina's Edge is a case study in maximizing small spaces for maximum impact. The project immediately acknowledges the unique environment through the use of a 360-degree negative edge, providing the homeowners with a flawless view of the bay.

 


The decking is chiseled cut Travertine in a versi pattern. The plants shown are Ixora Coccinea shrub and a double trunk foxtail palm.

Waterfront pool design offers some of the most challenging and conversely rewarding conditions a landscape contractor can face. Anderson & Associates Exterior Design Firm, LLC had to cope with space restrictions, unfavorable slopes and other environmental conditions that the lakefront property featured. However, if designed properly, a waterfront pool can be the perfect addition to a home. A waterfront pool should tie architecture with the unique environment in which it resides. This can be seen in the design of The Marina's Edge.

The pool catch basin has four 100-watt Pentair lights and the pool has two 500-watt Pentair lights. The Christmas Palms are each lit with two 35-watt FX lights. Double-trunk Christmas Palms, Foxtail Palms and Pygmy Date Palm were used in the backyard pool area to create a sub-tropical motif. According to Anderson, the Christmas Palms were not heavy enough to need a crane, but it would have helped because lifting the trees over the catch basin and pool was not an easy task. It was imperative to assure the palms had sufficient drainage out the bottom of the planters under and away from the pool. In the bottom of the planters there are 4-inch SDR pipes that tie into the area drain put in for the decking. The planters were first filled with gravel then sand and soil to allow for proper drainage to the pipe. Also included is a pipe for irrigation and a conduit for the low voltage lighting wire.

The pool shape was a deliberate attempt by the pool designer Christopher Anderson, of Custom Design Pools, Houston, Texas to maximize views and provide a large perimeter in which to view the adjacent marina. The pool functions as both an artful structure to be viewed from the marina and interior of the home, as well as a usable pool. The pool has a unique shape and use of high-end materials. The pool deck connecting this unique pool to the home consists of a light walnut travertine laid in a versi-pattern with random shell accent tiles. The blue iridescent Egyptian glass serves as a beautiful accent to the adjacent water and sky. A Blue Granite pebble-sheen finish completes this high-end design. The mechanics of the pool function at the same high level of the materials and include four Pentair Intelliflo 4 by 160 energy-efficient variable-speed pumps.

As The Marina's Edge sits more than 12 feet above the lower level, special attention was paid to the transition from the pool to the lower level. Large stone steps provide the necessary mass to transition from the pool area to the lower level and marina. The planting further softens this transition.

It took more than 60 workers in total to complete this project. Anderson brought in crews from many different trades, including coping and tile contractors, landscapers, irrigation specialists, plumbers, electricians, masons and clean up crews. The entire project took three months to complete.

The slope of the The Marina's Edge provided the greatest difficulty in construction. Any pool built on a slope requires special consideration. Landscaping is more than icing on the cake, landscaping serves to accent a pool's design features as well as to further emphasize the pool environment.

The ocean-side location of The Marina's Edge required a landscape to match the feel of the pool. The use of two double trunk Christmas palms helped reinforce both the ocean-side feel of the pool, as well as accentuate the home's architecture. The symmetrical planters housing these palms frame the fantastic view of the marina and provides height and scale for the pool.

The plants in the front yard include Live Oak, Queen Palm, Pygmy Date Palm and Spiral Juniper. For shrubs, Bay Area Design planted Dwarf Mondo, Ligustrum, Viburnum Tinus, Ixora Mauii Orange (tropical), Boxwood, Gardenia Vietchii, Sago, and Plumbagos (tropical). For perennials, the landscape features African Iris, Agapanthus, Variegated Flax and African Iris. The landscaping outlines the house deck and pool area to allow for substantial landscaping to soften the steep slope.

Several architectural pots were placed around the pool to provide variety and interest within the planting scheme. Queen Palms and attractive shrubs and groundcover further emphasize this ocean-side feel, while providing a transition from the pool to the marina.

Landscape materials were chosen to fit a Miami theme. With the difficulty of waterside construction, the impulse is to stick to tried and true methods and to minimize innovation. ''A true custom pool must fly in the face of practical conventions, waterfront design requires a practical solution for construction, but a truly successful design requires both practical considerations and artful design.'' The Marina's Edge shows that a design can be immensely creative, innovative, and can push the limits of practical design. The landscaping was designed by Mardel Adams of Bay Area Design.

The true measure of successful residential pool design is client satisfaction. At the opening party for The Marina's Edge, the sight of excited guests gathering around the pool was a testament to the true uniqueness of this custom designed pool.