A luxury pool design to satisfy the senses

Cameron Leth is the proud owner of this spectacularly shaped pool. He's also the designer and builder, which explains why he's so satisfied with the end result. Complete with a stylish poolside cabana that looks even more inviting at night, this cleverly designed pool has all bases covered. 

Making the most of his oddly shaped block, Cameron has made a spacious pool without compromising all of the backyard. The design creates width and roomy pockets with its complex geometric shape, ideal for the younger members of the family to throw a ball or splash about. The point of the pool, which extends out towards the back fence, offers 15 uninterrupted metres, perfect for laps and serious strokes.

The sharp angles also reflect those of the architectural home. Peering out through 45-degree-angle windows, the triangular corners look even more dramatic. For the surrounds, Cameron opted for poured limestone paving to create extremes in colour that further accentuate the shape.

Providing a luxurious space for hydrotherapy, the heated spa can be indulged in all year round. The pool itself is equipped with a solar heating system that keeps water at an enjoyable temperature for around eight to nine months of the year. With these perks, Cameron and his family can relax outdoors, even in cooler months, getting value for money from their pool.

Although he's a fan of the weir pool (also known as an infinity edge pool), Cameron chose a cheaper, more water-friendly option. As the name suggests, the Claytons Weir is a cheat's way to get a similar effect. Where most of the edges on this pool are finished with granite, the Claytons Weir edges use blue mosaic tiles that mimic the colour of the water and create a continuous illusion.

Cameron is most impressed with what the pool manages to achieve in its humble surrounds. Having worked on his share of pools for multi-million-dollar homes with breath-taking harbour views, this project proves that you can create an oasis in the humble suburban backyard.

Cameron Leth

Polar Pools

What inspired the unique shape?

The shape of the pool is designed to maximise space. The house has a lot of windows on 45-degree angles, so I was just trying to enhance the angles that were already prevalent in the architecture. It's quite a unique shape that you won't see anywhere else, that's for sure.

How is the shape functional?

The pool narrows towards the end, giving a nice space for a lap pool. There are also wider areas for the kids. I didn't want to take up my whole yard with the swimming pool, so I tried to combine the most into the design. 

Is the yard an unusual shape?

It's sort of a rhombus shape - a weird off-skew rectangle. The boundary's not parallel to the house so it's an unusual angle. The reason for the narrowing at the end of the pool was so I still left enough yard for the kids to be able to play, soccer balls and stuff like that.

Explain the Claytons Weir concept?

On the weir pool or negative-edge pool, the water flows over one edge and looks like it's vanishing into nowhere. They're quite expensive to build, so for a similar effect on this pool, I finished off the edging on a couple of sides with a blue mosaic tile that's similar in colour to the water.

How did you design the garden? 

Pretty much all the plants in the garden have Japanese origins. I've used a lot of bamboos and gardenias, Japanese maples and sago palms. It's got a nice earthy feel, but a Japanese overtone in a modern Australian garden.

Cameron

What was the intended purpose and focus of the pool?

I've tried to accomplish as much in one pool as you possibly can. I wanted to be able to swim a lap if I wanted to, safety for young children (hence the ledges), for the kids to be able to play games and I wanted it to be able to use the pool all year round (hence the spa).

Is it good for entertaining? 

We've got the cabana next to it, which becomes an entertaining hub as well as giving sun protection, which so many people look for these days. We can use it night and day, it's multi-functional, it's something that can be used all year round even in summertime

Does it have heating for the colder months?

It's got a heated spa and it's got solar heating in the pool. The heated spa can be used all year round; the solar heating gives it about eight to nine months of the year's use. So we certainly get our value for money out of it, that's for sure.

What is you favourite aspect of the pool? 

Just the way it totally integrates and is able to maximise everything that someone might want out of a swimming pool. I love the cabana and the way it shoots out into the pool. It provides a really great focal point and also a nice covered area for us to enjoy in the summer. 

What makes this pool special?

I think, for a pool that's just in a normal suburban backyard, I have achieved a lot. I don't have a fancy view, I don't have a million-dollar house; I've just made the most of what I've got and I've got my own special view of my own backyard and that's what I've tried to achieve.