The dolomitic limestone patio has a custom G-clef stone inlay. The planting design includes "Shasta' daisies, catmints and pink evergreen azaleas.

Luxury pool builder, Cipriano Custom Pools & Landscaping, which is located in Bergen County N.J., recently won the "Best Gunite Swimming Pool Award" for their design of a residential "violin' pool. The project came about when the homeowner, an amateur violinist and violin collector, approached the firm with an idea of building a swimming pool in the shape of an 18th century Stradivarius, including the most intricate parts, such as the chinrest, tailpiece, purfling, f-holes, and bridge. A Stradivarius, of course, is an extremely coveted instrument made by the Stradivari family, most notable by Antonio Stradivari, particularly during the 17th and 18th centuries.

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. The landscaped trees, a Saucer Magnolia, two Persian Parrotia, two Miss Kim Lilac, a Bloodgood Japanese Maple and a Japanese Black Pine are lit with FX Luinaire spot lights.

With the idea in place the next step was to find an appropriate scale for the pool, so that it would fit the size of the house and property, while still functioning properly as a swimming pool. The final dimensions of the pool are 90 feet long by 31 feet wide, at the largest point, and 16 ½ at the narrowest location. The neck tapers from 8 feet near the body of the violin down to six feet at the end, a perfect size for the 81,270 sq. ft. backyard.

The pool surface is over 440,000 individual pieces of glass tile that were mapped out in Auto CAD to optimize the transitions of colors.

The details of the violin, which are depicted in various ways, came together during the design process; the homeowner also played an integral part. Pool elements include:

• Purfling: The purfling, a narrow decorative edge, was created with a custom stone inlay around the coping of the pool.

• Chinrest: The slightly raised chinrest doubles as a 12-person overflow spa and is 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.

• Strings: Violin strings have 5,760 strands of fiber optics wired to 40 illuminators. The light strands are run through 36 conduits, and are woven through the joints of the glass tile. Lights are synchronized to the underwater audio system through a DMX controller.The bridge, f-holes and tailpiece were all depicted with black glass tile on the floor of the pool.

The flowerbed just below the pool is filled with blue-mist shrub, pink "Knock Out' roses and fountain grass.

• Pool Surface: The surface of the pool is like no other, as it 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 4-way gradient design. More than 440,000 individual glass tiles were then mapped out using Auto CAD, resulting in a seamless transition of color.

• Pool Lighting: 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. Although the strings of the violin are depicted with black glass tile, to create a nighttime effect, the strings of the violin are also interlaced with 5,760 strands of fiber optics and are wired to 40 illuminators. All of the light strands can be synchronized to music through a DMX controller.

The pool is 90-feet long, 31-feet wide at its greatest girth, and 16.5-ft. at its narrowest. The neck tapers from 8 feet near the body of the violin down to 6 feet at the end, a fitting size for the 81,270 sq. ft. backyard.

• Koi Ponds: Two koi ponds, which symbolize the bow of the violin, cross the pool at the violin's neck and are filled 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.

Although the violin strings are represented with black tiles, for a dramatic effect at night they are interlaced with 5,760 fiber optic strands and wired to 40 illuminators.

Landscaping
Although the focus of this project is the violin pool, the completion of the project rested on the planting design, which embodies the musical theme with a G-clef shape. Numerous types of plants were used throughout the various plant beds, such as white fir, blue hosta and Virginia sweetspire, to name a few. Trees were also added to the landscape and include "Heritage River' birch, "Deodar' cedar and "Yoshino' cherry. Another important feature of the landscape is the low voltage LED path lights, well lights, and spot light lights, which were used throughout the property. The lighting system also includes iPhone controls for the on/off functions and to change the light colors in the fixtures.

Other features of the project include a natural stone outdoor kitchen and bar, including a sink, trash compactor, refrigerator, two warming draws, and more. The outdoor living area also has a 60-inch built-in television with a surround sound system. When it's not in use, the outdoor television can be completely lowered into the structure maintaining the picturesque view of the landscape. All together the project took about 10 months to complete.

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.

Design Team
Landscape Architect: Cipriano Custom Pools & Landscaping, William Moore
Construction Team: Building & Landscape Contractor & Cipriano Custom Pools & Landscaping

Vendors
Oceanside Glasstile
Valders Stone
PENTAIR
Raypak
Fiberstars