The Making of a Biophilic Pool in the Pocket
The Making of a Biophilic Pool in the Pocket is a Dayhouse Living Issue 1 article from Dayhouse Studio on designing a courtyard pool that supports social connection, movement, and restorative living at home. Complementary to medical care, not a substitute. Based in Salt Lake City, we share a real project case study.
The "Pocket" is a charming enclave within the larger St. Mary’s neighborhood, nestled next to the Salt Lake Zoo.
Tucked away from the city buzz, it enjoys peaceful seclusion while being conveniently close to the vibrant scenes of the University of Utah and downtown Salt Lake City.
The highlight of the Spanish modern house, featured in Utah Style and Design in 2019, was undoubtedly its stunning pool—an element that left a lasting impression. This property not only captivated aesthetically but also proved to be a lucrative investment, fetching a sale price 30% higher than any comparable residence in its upscale neighborhood. This successful venture marked the culmination of my real estate endeavors before embarking on the journey of founding Dayhouse Studio, where my passion for creating dream homes for others truly took off.
Every detail of this home was meticulously crafted with the future homeowner in mind. I conscientiously envisioned the living experience that each corner of the house would offer. The prospective inhabitants were my constant focus throughout the entire project, ensuring that their needs and desires were at the forefront of every decision made.
The NEW homeowners of this residence had an interesting tale to share following their acquisition of the property. They had long sought to upgrade their living space, having resided in a charming abode near the bustling 9th and 9th district in Salt Lake City. Their distinctive house boasted eye-catching dinosaur sculptures adorning the front lawn, a recognizable feature in the area. Despite the appeal of their current dwelling, it no longer accommodated their expanding family, prompting an extensive search for a new home. Their quest spanned four to five years.
Upon purchasing this Modern Spanish residence, they disclosed a fascinating detail: throughout their pursuit of the perfect home, there was only one other property that captured their hearts and led them to make an offer in all of their years of looking. Remarkably, that residence happened to be the very home I had previously sold. A stunning mid-century modern house that garnered attention in Utah Style and Design back in 2013, achieving a record sale price that surpassed all comparable homes at the time, boasting the highest value per square foot. Albeit distinct in architectural style from their new Spanish-style home, the connection between their past admiration and my former listing was a delightful twist of fate. It turned out that the new owners of my current property held a deep appreciation for my past real estate endeavors and design creation as well.
The Fireplace and Sofa
Crafting the fireplace and sofa for this Spanish home presented an exciting opportunity to infuse modern elements seamlessly. I conceptualized a low-profile cement fireplace featuring a spacious gas firepit, complemented by ample surface area for serving platters and beverage placement, ensuring convenience for all seated on the elongated sofa. To optimize the spatial dynamics of this compact area, I opted for a custom-designed sofa, meticulously tailored to fit precisely within the available space. Its contemporary design harmonized effortlessly with the oversized antique Spanish pots arranged behind it, striking a perfect balance between modern and traditional aesthetics.
Placement and Flow
Initially, I envisioned creating a pool in the backyard of this house, which boasted a stunning yard leading to a stream flowing through Emigration Canyon, the zoo, and the property. The backyard is a dream - enveloped by ten majestic pine trees, over a century old, offering such seclusion that it felt like being lost in a forest. Surprisingly serene, considering it was just minutes away from downtown.
However, my plans hit a snag when the city authorities rejected the idea. The city regulations prohibited the pool from being within fifty feet of the water's edge, a restriction that our proposed pool location violated. This setback was disheartening, as a crucial factor in buying the house was the potential for a pool. I had even sought approval from the city before purchasing the property, and they seemed fine with the concept. It turned out, the city's green light had excluded the water and utilities considerations. The revelation came after I had bought the property and prepared pool plans for submission, a frustrating turn of events.
Despite the setback, once again, I learned a valuable lesson in home remodeling - setbacks can transform into unexpected opportunities. And true to this notion, a new idea emerged once I accepted the city's ruling as final.
Why not place the pool in the courtyard? Upon consulting the city, I discovered I could build right up to the house itself if desired. So, it was a go.
This concept aligned with my original vision for a courtyard pool, inspired by a reference image showcasing a pool integrated with the home's structure. Ultimately, I decided in favor of function over form, as it was more important to have a little space around the pool for accessibility purposes, so I built the pool with about four feet on the three sides, and more like 12 feet on the fourth side.
Additionally, I decided to install a portable hot tub instead of a built-in one—a decision I later regretted, as I'll explain later in this article. However, situating the pool in the courtyard proved advantageous for the overall flow of the home. Located on the first floor adjacent to the kitchen, the pool became intimately intertwined with the heart of the home—the kitchen, which naturally serves as the hub of activity. Had the pool been situated in the backyard, it would have been inconveniently distant from the kitchen, requiring a flight of stairs to access—a less-than-ideal arrangement. Moreover, the new courtyard location offered enhanced privacy, shielding the pool area from the eyes and ears of neighbors—a crucial consideration in pool design for me.
Material Choice
Tile
The pool at my previous residence boasted a modern aesthetic, surrounded by scored cement squares. While visually appealing, the surface's tendency to absorb heat during summer and its slippery nature when wet led to concerns. For this new pool, I opted for belgrave pavers specifically designed for hot climates, offering a cooler touch in summer and a non-slip surface, which proved to be a practical and well-received choice among guests. Moreover, I extended this material to cover the original cement under the covered walkway connecting the front door to the courtyard doors. Despite the added expense, this decision aimed to maintain cohesion and visually enlarge the courtyard space (measuring approximately 40' x 23', with the pool occupying 15' x 20' of this area). By unifying the flooring materials, the space felt more expansive and directed attention towards the standout features, such as the pool and the fireplace/sitting area nestled behind it.
Designing the Color of Pool
The last pool I had constructed in the aforementioned mid-century modern home had a cement surround and white plaster, but the white plaster turned out to be a design choice I regretted. Why? It was prone to staining. With trees and leaves surrounding the pool, seeds would fall in during the summer months. These seeds, within hours of hitting the water, would release a purplish color that stubbornly stained the plaster, defying all my cleaning efforts.
Moreover, pool contractors often overlook the crucial process of initially filling the pool. Let me tell you, it’s vital. In this case study, we made the mistake of filling the built-in hot tub first, letting the water flow through the connecting plumbing into the pool. This resulted in a stain that even experts couldn't remove without potentially emptying and sanding the pool.
My bad experience with the pure white pool look, combined with my affinity for aqua green water that would complement my Spanish-style house, led me to opt for a creamy plaster instead. This choice imparted a subtle greenish hue to the blue pool water, giving the pool a unique charm. The outcome? Absolutely stunning, with no staining issues to deal with. Hallelujah!
Garden Vision
In designing the pool's landscaping, I envisioned a lush oasis of tropical plantings around the pool, however, the practical side of me won out as my goal was to create a verdant backdrop that would thrive despite Utah's unforgiving winters. Aware of the challenges tropical plants would face in the cold climate, I opted for resilient evergreen varieties to line the wall behind the sofa. These hardy plants could endure the winter chill and retain their greenery throughout the year. To infuse a hint of tropical charm, I strategically positioned a selection of tropical plants around the pool area. Knowing their vulnerability to the harsh winters, I planned to bring them indoors during the coldest months, safeguarding their survival while maintaining the desired aesthetic appeal. Other considerations regarding a garden around the pool:
Any rocks you put around the pool in a garden may very well wind up in the pool. Kids love to throw rocks in the pool.
Any dirt or grass that is near the pool will also wind up in the pool.
Any flowering plants will attract bees and as important as bees are to our environment, bees and children and pools don’t mix.
So we were somewhat limited due to the size restraints of the courtyard which also informed our over all decision to keep things green and at a bit of a distance from the water’s edge.
Hot Tub
For sake of space, I decided to try out the modern Stil Spa from bullfrog, a portable spa company. I built in a space for it that worked well from a flow perspective. But at the end of the day, didn’t like it. I barely used it. I learned that from the design perspective but more importantly (in this case) from a user perspective, it’s totally worth building it into the pool. I would cut costs elsewhere in the future and add that as a necessary expense for a pool. Full stop.
Every detail of this home was meticulously crafted with the future homeowner in mind. I conscientiously envisioned the living experience that each corner of the house would offer. The prospective inhabitants were my constant focus throughout the entire project, ensuring that their needs and desires were at the forefront of every decision made.
Social Support
An important component of a pool, some might say the entire reason to build one at all, is the social support that it provides. The significance of this biophilic component cannot be understated. Social connection is one of the key elements in wellbeing research on long-lived communities around the world. Pools can be a focal point for family gatherings, strengthening family ties and creating lasting memories. Having a pool can attract friends and neighbors, fostering social interactions and creating opportunities for community building. And lastly, poolside parties, which this pool saw many, can enhance social engagement opportunities, providing a sense of belonging and reducing feelings of isolation.
In addition, having a pool can not only significantly enhance social support, supportive of health, wellbeing, and restorative living — complementary to medical care, not a substitute, but can provide regular exercise, my partner is swimming to support recovery and movement as I’m now writing these words in fact. A pool provides a convenient way for regular exercise. swimming and water aerobics are low-impact activities that support heart health, strength, and flexibility. Add to that the mental health benefits of the calming effects of water and the rhythmic nature of swimming which can reduce stress and anxiety levels. Being in and around water can promote a sense relaxation, reducing mental fatigue and supporting overall mental wellbeing.
Contractors
Navigating the world of pool contractors can be an adventure! To ensure a smooth ride, I highly recommend embarking on a journey of thorough research before making any commitments. Take the time to gather references, scout the Better Business Bureau, and dive into Google reviews. While I haven't stumbled upon the perfect pool contractor just yet, my experiences have certainly provided some colorful anecdotes. From the contractor who attempted an unsuccessful identity theft with my credit card to the one who took an unexpected hiatus mid-project, I've encountered a variety of characters. But fear not! With a positive outlook and a dash of due diligence, you'll be swimming in your dream pool before you know it. So, let's dive in and make a splash—with caution, of course!
That's the tale of our Spanish house pool design and build. It was a wonderful experience, resulting in a beautiful outcome and giving many benefits for restorative living at home — including an active lifestyle, mental wellbeing, and social connectedness. Complementary to medical care, not a substitute. We shared many memorable moments throughout and beyond the process, creating lasting memories with our family and friends. Passing it on to the new owners brought me joy, and I hope they relish it as much as I did crafting it! []
See our Source List for more information on the images and designs in this article.
SOURCES / Further reading
Healthy Dwelling (MDPI 19/4/2248)
Therapeutic Home Environment (MDPI 14/9/1123)
Dayhouse Studio · Salt Lake City, UT
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