Engineering Excellence

Our recent project in Sandy Springs exemplifies the art of overcoming engineering obstacles while maintaining an excellent vision led by design. The mission was to build a breathtaking vanishing edge pool on a lot with poor soil quality and complex terrain. The result? A masterpiece of design and engineering that turned a challenging site into a serene oasis.

Overview: A Luxurious Geometric Pool

This project revolved around the creation of a geometric pool with a luxurious vanishing edge—a feature that gives the illusion of water seamlessly merging with the horizon. This type of pool requires meticulous planning and execution, particularly on a lot with the complications we encountered. The pool was designed not only to be a visual centerpiece but also to integrate harmoniously with the surrounding landscape and home design, creating an elegant outdoor living space.

Water Features: Enhancing the Aesthetic

To elevate the pool's aesthetic and provide additional relaxation and visual interest, we incorporated:

A Tiled Spa: A spa with intricate tile work that adds a touch of luxury and comfort, seamlessly blending with the pool’s design.

A Vanishing Pool Edge: The defining feature, created an illusion of infinite water and adds a serene, reflective quality to the pool.

A Tiled Spillway: A spillway with matching tile that provides a gentle cascade of water, adding movement and sound to the space.

Challenges: Overcoming Poor Soil Conditions

The most significant challenge of this project was the site’s soil condition. Unlike the stable Georgia clay, which is ideal for pool construction, this lot had organic, soft dirt—a result of a ravine filled in with loose, materials. This type of soil is unsuitable for supporting a traditional pool structure, making it necessary to employ advanced engineering solutions.

To ensure the pool’s stability, we utilized helical piers—large, galvanized steel tubes with auger-like spiral wings at the bottom. These piers were driven 35 feet into the ground until they reached solid, stable soil. This process provided a reliable foundation that could support the pool's weight and prevent future settling or shifting.

Given the unstable soil, we doubled the thickness of the pool’s concrete shell. While a conventional pool requires 6 inches of concrete, this project demanded 12 inches to ensure long-term durability and safety. This extra layer of strength, combined with the helical piers, created a rock-solid foundation capable of withstanding the challenging conditions.

The Design Vision

This project was not just about overcoming physical challenges—it was also about meeting the client’s specific design requirements. The client had a designer overseeing the entire house project, meaning every aspect of the pool had to be approved to ensure it matched the overall aesthetic vision.

One of the main design challenges was a retaining wall that disrupted the visual flow of the landscape. To mitigate its impact, we introduced turf and pavers around the pool area. This broke up the visual impact of the wall and created a more cohesive and visually pleasing environment, blending the pool into the surrounding space seamlessly.

The Final Result

Despite the significant challenges posed by the site, the finished product is nothing short of spectacular. The vanishing edge pool, with its luxurious features and seamless integration into the landscape, is a testament to the power of expert engineering and thoughtful design. What could have been a problematic site is now a stunning, tranquil retreat, demonstrating that with the right approach, even the most difficult projects can be transformed into beautiful, functional spaces.