Designing with Water: Types of Swimming Pools and Why They Matter to Landscape Architects
- contactbanabhoomi
- Sep 12
- 3 min read
In this article
A swimming pool is more than a recreational feature; it's a design element, a lifestyle statement, and a powerful tool in a landscape architect’s palette. Whether it’s the calm reflection of an infinity pool or the dynamic interaction space of a kiddie pool, water has the unique ability to transform outdoor spaces, evoke emotion, and enhance ecological performance.
1. Categorizing Pools: Public, Semi-Public, and Private
Understanding the end-user is key to good landscape design. Pools can broadly be categorized based on access and function:
Private Pools: Often found in residences, health clubs, and spas. These prioritize privacy, aesthetics, and integration with the garden or built structure.
Semi-Public Pools: Designed for hotels, resorts, and schools, where aesthetics meet crowd management and safety.
Public Pools: These require durable, user-friendly layouts for high footfall, such as those in amusement parks or sports complexes.
As landscape architects, these distinctions help determine not just the pool's size or form, but also circulation paths, planting buffers, spatial zoning, and social programming around it.
2. Swimming Pool Shapes: Visual Harmony in Landscape Design
The shape of the pool is a dialogue with its surroundings. Common design types include:
Rectangular and L-Shape: Clean, functional, and often used for lap or exercise pools.
Kidney and Freeform: Integrate seamlessly into naturalistic landscapes, mimicking pond-like aesthetics.
Roman-Grecian: Geometric with formal edges, ideal for classic, symmetric garden designs.
The choice of shape impacts how a pool interacts with the garden contours, vegetation, pathways, and outdoor seating.
3. Design-Based Swimming Pool Types: Expanding the Design Vocabulary
Different types of pools serve unique functional and experiential needs:
In-Ground Pools: Most popular and customizable; allows landscape architects to sculpt the surrounding space as an extension of the terrain.
Above-Ground Pools: Require visual softening through decking, screening, and planting.
Infinity Pools: Stunning in sloped sites, they merge horizon lines, water, and sky, an effect only landscape architects can amplify through view framing.
Natural Pools: Combine design and ecology. These are biologically filtered and blend seamlessly with native planting schemes.
Lap Pools and Plunge Pools: Useful in tight urban gardens or wellness-focused retreats. Their linearity or compactness complements modern hardscape detailing.
4. Material Choices: Form, Texture, and Durability
Each pool type brings different material needs:
Granite/Concrete Pools: Offers the most design freedom, ideal for bespoke, site-responsive forms.
Vinyl Liner Pools: Cost-effective and quicker to install, but they need thoughtful visual integration.
Fiberglass Pools: Smooth, low maintenance, but limited in custom shaping.
As designers of outdoor environments, material palettes, tile colors, textures, finishes help blend the pool with garden elements like decking, fencing, and furniture.
5. Special-Purpose Pools: Adding Functional Diversity
In multi-user or mixed-age settings, landscape architects can strategically introduce:
Kiddie Pools: Separated but visually connected, they create safe and engaging spaces for children.
Swim Spas and Exercise Pools: Compact yet therapeutic, especially in wellness gardens.
Zero-Entry (Beach) Pools: Enhance accessibility and mimic natural shorelines—useful in inclusive design.
Jacuzzis and Hot Tubs: Often part of the spa deck or outdoor relaxation zones, seamlessly connected through materials and planting.
6. Systems, Services, and Space Planning
Behind every beautiful pool is a set of technical needs—filtration systems, pumps, and chemical feeders. Landscape architects must plan space for:
Equipment rooms (20-30% of pool area)
Decks with appropriate slope and drainage
Circulation paths that are aesthetic, slip-resistant, and thermally comfortable
Proper layout ensures seamless function without compromising visual appeal.
Water as a Design Medium
From retreats to grand hospitality pools, swimming pools are more than vessels of water; they’re spatial experiences. For a landscape architect, the challenge is balancing engineering with elegance, utility with beauty.
When thoughtfully integrated, pools become the soul of the landscape, reflecting not just the sky above, but the intention, imagination, and expertise of the designer.
At Banabhoomi, we specialize in full-service landscaping and can assist you in bringing your Landscaping vision to life. Our expert team will guide you through every stage, from the initial design to the final touches. Whether you need advice on plant selection, layout design, or garden maintenance, we’re here to help.
Don't wait to transform your Landscaping areas into a space you’ll love. Contact Banabhoomi Landscape & Design in Odisha for a consultation today. Your dream garden is just a phone call away!
