Sonoran Steel - Masters of Design 2016

This project was a collaboration with Steven Brenden Architect.
Like the house, the pool is architectural with linear large format steel porcelain walls aligned above and below the water. Conceptually, the pool is designed as a desert waterhole. The river pebble finish and the natural desert landscape are only separated by a vertical knife edge of stone. Just below the water, a shallow perimeter pebbled ledge facilitates easy in and out or a cool bench seat. Along the edge, random concrete plinths capped in stone float out of the water and are used as jump-in rocks or beverage tables. Deliberately reminiscent of the lake swimming done as kids, a remote wood deck (Ipe) sits 4 feet above water for jumping into the 10 foot deep waterhole. Ipe wood decking also serves as the primary access way from the house to the pool steps. This all tile Pool is a mix of four different types of tile - 2' x 4' Porcelain tiles to mimic steel, river pebbles on floor and benches, porcelain tile on steps to mimic wood look to match ipe wood deck and some Oceanside Glass tile to add some color and reflection.

The surrounding landscape is indigenous desert with cobble stone gabion privacy walls and raw steel mesh fence. Chaise Lounge chairs on a small turf area engages the pool from the back yard lawn. From the front, a long steel and concrete coffee table with seating extends from the house under sail shades and Palo Verde trees.