Shortlisted for the Residential Swimming Pool Award in the International Design and Architecture Awards 2013, Tanby Pools‘ beautiful mosaic tiled pool is located in leafy Oxted, Surrey…

Overall description of the project: A 9m charcoal mosaic swimming pool with a glass-fronted wall facing the house, including a gently bubbling waterfall into a spa.

The brief demanded an outdoor, all year round living space for entertaining all age groups

Design brief: Client – “We are looking to build a simple rectangular tiled pool and separate 8-10 man outdoor Spa. The pool is to be 9m x 4m and the Spa 2.5m x 2.5m, both with a motorised cover. The pool will have the additional feature of a partial glass end. The Spa will ideally seat 8-10 people comfortably and have the functionality of top of the range multi jet spa. One could consider an overflow effect over the glass end or, alternatively, to have water sandwiched between two pieces of glass, with bubbles cascading upwards giving the illusion of water flowing upwards.”

The champagne bubble waterfall fizzes down the glass wall between the pool and spa

Tanby developed these initial ideas from the client into a stunning and workable pool and Spa that would enhance and be enhanced by the house*. This provides an outdoor, all year round living space for entertaining all age groups. With contemporary styling and a glass fronted wall, the pool and Spa provide the main view from the kitchen, showing the sparkling, blue pool water behind the waterfall feature. The automatic safety cover allows the pool to be sealed whilst the Spa is still in use. The Spa showcases mood lighting using colour change remote controlled LED luminaires. The ground around the pool had to be reduced in levels and terraced to suit the waterfall feature and glass wall.

The pool was designed to enhance and be enhanced by the house

Favourite / key aspect of the project: The pool may be viewed from many angles and provides a perfect reflection of the house. The champagne bubble waterfall fizzes down the glass wall between the pool and Spa and the LED lighting enhances and complements the internal house lighting scheme.

Why does the design work so well? The synergy between the house and pool, at all times of the year and during both day and night.

View more from Tanby Pools here.

*The house was designed by Dyer Grimes Architects and has also reached the ID&A Awards shortlist (Residential Property Europe Award). View the project here.