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A swimming pool can add fun, refreshment, and recreation to any backyard. It can also be an important aesthetic element, providing a dramatic focal point to the landscape. Unlike traditional pools, which feature rectangular shapes and sharp angles, freeform pools incorporate irregular shapes, natural curves, and flowing lines. Here's what you should know about this popular custom pool design

The History of Freeform Pools

1920s silent film stars Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks installed one of the first freeform pools at their famous Hollywood home, Pickfair. It was banana shaped and featured a sandy shore to simulate a tropical lagoon. California's warm, sunny climate made it the epicenter of pool design and by the 1930s, Philip Ilsley had emerged as a leading architect in the industry. His process of spraying concrete onto steel mesh, rather than hand packing it, made custom pool designs incorporating shapes found in nature more affordable.

After World War II, designers Thomas Church and Lawrence Halprin installed a custom pool designed for the Donnell family home in Sonoma, CA. Its distinctive kidney shape, inspired by the region's creeks and marshes, was featured in design magazines and quickly inspired many copies. Over the following decades, freeform pools grew in popularity because they evoked the relaxing atmosphere of a natural pond or lake, rather than a backyard swimming pool. 

Modern Freeform Pool Design

custom pool designs

Today's freeform pools incorporate unique features such as rocks, boulders, grottos, and waterfalls to naturally blend with the surrounding landscape. Homeowners have learned that contractors can create custom pool designs featuring attractive curves and flowing lines to accommodate any sized yard. They can enhance any design aesthetic from tropical to desert, while providing enjoyable, useful spaces for lounging, playing, or entertaining. 

Freeform pools are installed by excavating a hole according to the customized shape and size you and your pool contractor have designed. A framework of steel mesh is attached to the sides before it is covered with a material such as concrete, fiberglass, or vinyl.

Concrete is still the most popular material used to construct freeform pools because it is easily shaped and molded into irregular shapes. Fiberglass comes pre-shaped, therefore offering less customizable options. Vinyl can be customized but is less durable than concrete and its liner may need to be replaced every 5 to 10 years. 

 

To learn more about how a freeform pool can complement your backyard, talk to the experts at Artistic Pools in Atlanta, GA or  Master Pools in Chattanooga, TN. With more than 66 years of experience, their talented team creates breathtaking oases for residential and commercial clients. Their outstanding work has earned them many awards and has been featured on famous TV stations, such as HGTV. Call them today at (770) 458-9177 in Atlanta, and (423) 443-2989 in Chattanooga, or visit their website

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