Paul Schreiber / YESIMAROBOT
Designer:
Jeromey Naugle
President
Premier Paradise
Gilbert, Ariz.
What the Judges Thought
The vertical towers and fountains bring an otherworldly feel to the pool area — and add a dimension to the project that allows the mind to dream. The square tile is very complementary to the pattern of the surrounding patio — and together they raise the profile of each other. The colors and contrast are exciting and sublime!
— Jamie Scott, head of design and construction services, Group Works, Wilton, Conn.
Designer Jeromey Naugle received scant design requirements from the homeowners: Include a huge pool with lap lane and diving for the kids; Create an area for adults to lounge without getting splashed from the other vessel; include a sunken bar and other features for entertaining.
And make it look like art.
Naugle accomplished all of the above with sleek forms and a combination of contemporary and rustic materials. “The homeowner loved the Spanish eclectic feel of the home, but he also liked really hard edges,” Naugle says.
The raised vanishing-edge lap pool anchors the yard and overflows into a lower “relax pool” with an expansive underwater lounging reef. Brick veneer combines with a cleaner white limestone on the vanishing edge. The 6-inch-deep lounging area measures 28 by 10 feet.
Each pool features a trio of concrete monoliths with spilling runnels. The taller waterfeatures stand 8 feet to conceal the view of a two-story home next door. The versions in back stand 54 inches, but run 15 feet horizontally, and cantilever 6 feet into the pool. “It looks like the upper ones turned up on their end and stuck up on the ground,” Naugle says. “It’s the same kind of shape.”
From certain vantage points, the taller falls appear to lean, creating an illusion that has caught the eye of many. “It turned out to be a cool conversation piece,” Naugle says.
A perimeter-overflow spa features vibrant glass mosaic. Drain grates hide in a toe-kick detail beneath the benches.
The kitchen/dining complex combines Spanish colonial styling with contemporary materials. A sunken bar features underwater-swings-as-barstools to amuse the energetic homeowner. Because of the water’s resistance, the swings can’t move very quickly, preventing safety hazards.
A long, narrow strip of water to the side of the bar acts as another lap lane.
