The Inspiring Winners of the 2021 Pinnacle Awards

English Symmetry

This elegant pool and landscaped garden combine symmetry and balance with classical decorative features. A custom-made sculptural pool slide in polished steel and a mahogany diving board bring elements of stylish fun to this classic pool design.

Project Team
Jackson & Leroy;
McAlpine;
Kaiser Trabue Landscape Architects;
Splinterworks

Photograph by Joshua Caldwell

Shining Beauty

This idyllic, modern linear pool features an abundance of iridescent glass tiles and a perimeter overflow design with spa and vanishing edge with beautiful views of the Intracoastal Waterway. The expansive pool deck is constructed with white limestone shell.

Project Team
All Aqua Pools;
Great American Waterfall Company

Photographs by Christian Marsch

Tropical Modern

A mixture of the colorful tropical plants against the zero-edge pool creates a stunning visual. Carefully placed lighting throughout the design offers a cool and calming space for relaxing and rejuvenating.

Project Team
Danny Wang Design
DW Development

Photograph by Jimi Smith Photography

Luxury Living

Featuring multiple outdoor living spaces for the ultimate in residential living, this condominium boasts two infinity-edge fountains, a courtyard water fountain surrounded with turf, and 7th floor steel pool and spa—all designed to create calming spaces for residents to enjoy.

Project Team
Van Kirk & Sons Pools & Spas

Photographs by Lawrence Mansell

Oceanfront Entertaining

The pool and home were designed to maximize outdoor living and the stunning ocean views. The design includes an infinity-edge pool, integrated 360-degree spillover spa, swim-up table and chairs, fire pit, outdoor kitchen, sandy beach, and a 70-foot dock with step-down boat access.

Project Team
D’Asign Source

Photographs by Austin Follos Photography

The Mirage

The extraordinary firepit is where the design earned its name—The Mirage–because of the disappearing effect that happens at different viewing angles due to refractions of light and water. Also featured in this design is a floating patio and floating daybed.

Project Team
Foxterra Design;
California Landscape Studios

Photograph by Jeri Koegel

Lakefront Living

Designed on a 40-degree angle on the point of a lakefront community, this outdoor living space includes two vanishing edges, a floating “cat-walk” bridge, which leads to the hot tub. Swim under the bridge to access the shelf, swim-up bar, full kitchen, and patio.

Project Team
Tipton Spires Design Build
CB Stanley Design
Coyote Dig
Brothers Pool Rebar Inc.
McDowell Electric
Modern Method Gunite, Inc.

Photograph by Jimi Smith Photography

Dive In

This project embraces classic materials and a Mikel Tube diving board to create a modern, yet timeless, poolscape. The diving board impacted the shape of the pool. In order to keep the required depths and distances for diving, the project team created a 40’ x 37’ L-shaped pool with the spa and sun shelf off to the side.

Project Team
Sunset Pools Inc.
Beisert Construction
Falcon Electric
Modern Method Gunite, Inc.

Photograph by Jimi Smith Photography

On the Edge Of Beauty

This pool features several very technically challenging details, including transitions from Lautner knife-edge to submerged beam overflow around the firepit to a more traditional vanishing edge. While the pool is a work of art, it also intentionally lets the view be the star.

Project Team
Design Ecology / Design Aquatics;
Dick Clark + Associates;
MG Construction Works;
River Rock Landscape

Photographs by Jimi Smith Photography

Clean Lines

This rectilinear pool is modern and clean, yet still maintains a natural feel that melds with the surrounding woods. The pool includes a pool and spa spillover combination, large sun shelf with a bubbler, entry steps, and deep end bench.

Project Team
J&M Pool Company

Photograph by Harbinger Marketing

Keep the Party Flowing

This ultimate game house deserved an outdoor space to keep the party flowing down the lazy river, under the bridge, past the 12-foot-tall grotto, and up to the bar. The pool has a beach entry, waterfall, multiple fire and water features, and spa with wet and dry bar.

Project Team
Lucas Lagoons

Photographs by Kevin Bowder

Contemporary On the Bay

This project was designed around the modern architecture of the home to complement its funky coastal vibe. The pool’s vanishing edge overlooks the bay with a lower basin for that close-to-the-water lounging. And for the owner’s furry family members, there is a dog pool with beach entry!

Project Team
Tipton Spires Design Build
CB Stanley Design
Raegan Markey Design

Photograph by Jimi Smith Photography

Conversation Starter

No detail was overlooked in maximizing every portion of this backyard—from the custom pool and hot tub to the sitting area with artistic fabrication of the pergola and sculpture. The backyard is both a conversation starter and a relaxing oasis.

Project Team
BonaVista Pools;
Eden Tree Design Inc.;
Pro-Land Landscape Construction Inc.

Photograph by Jeff McNeill

Lakefront Oasis

This project features a pool and flush infinity spill spa, swim out benches on every side of the pool, custom fire bowl, attached seating area with sunken shelf surrounding it, and LED stepping stones.

Project Team
Van Kirk & Sons Pools & Spas

Photographs by Living Proof Photography

Game On

In addition to a beautiful pool, spa, water feature, fire pit, and outdoor living terrace this family-focused paradise includes a sport court, pickle ball court, putting green, and outdoor ping-pong table.

Project Team
AquaTerra Outdoors

Photographs by Jimi Smith Photography

A Grotto Paradise

This two-tiered freeform pool boasts an oversized sun shelf, large spa, a grotto that extends the entire length of the pool, six fire features, and multiple water features.

Project Team
Pratt Guys
Lucas Lagoons

Photographs by Ground Control Jax for Pratt Guys

Elevated Design

This second story pool (with beach access) spills over the exterior wall of the house into a basin, which is 16’ below the pool at ground level. The project includes a waterfall feature next to the exterior staircase, captivating lighting, and pristine landscaping.

Project Team
Almar Jackson Pools, Inc.
AAM Development, Inc.
Clint Larkan Design Build Inc.

Photographs by Steven Martine

Modern Marvel

Using the same porcelain material for the decking, pool coping, waterline tile, and some of the interior surface of the pool creates a visual expansion of this narrow space. Artwork displayed and lit with LED lighting and the water wall behind provide a soothing ambiance.

Project Team
Randy Angell Designs Inc
Elite Outdoor Living

Photographs by Jimi Smith Photography

Mild to Wild

Let your inner child come to life! Rip down the towering waterslide, hang out in the treehouse, crank up the 103” TV and inground subwoofer, or chill out in the sunken fire lounge. Additional features include waterfall, rock grotto, and outdoor kitchen.

Project Team
Lucas Lagoons
Stealth Acoustics
The Dirty Carpenter

Photograph by Heath Jordan

Natural Beauty

Local natural limestone was used throughout this poolscape design, which includes a grotto, water wall, a waterfall, splash pad, and slide. The stone was incorporated into stone fascia for the bocce ball court, basketball court, and outdoor shower.

Project By
Cascade Custom Pools

Photographs by JP Morales: Real Estate Photography

Artistic Design

This design maximizes the available outdoor living space by wrapping around the Southern California home. Intricate, custom mosaics create a stunning and artistic focal point, while multiple fire, water, and lighting features illuminate and showcase its beauty at night.

Project Team
Danny Wang Design
DW Development
Mark Scott Associates
Mosaicist

Photographs by Jimi Smith Photography

Dual Beauty

The main house’s vanishing-edge lap pool has dual shallow lounging areas equipped for full chaise loungers and umbrella mounts. The plunge pool a grass edge perimeter overflow with a shallow lounging area underneath the second level of the cabana. The interior finishes of both pools have a custom integrated mosaic design, which provides an artistic three-dimensional feel.

Project Team
Aquatic Consultants, Inc.
Reef Tropical Pools
Mosaicist
Murakami Landscape Architects

Photographs by Jimi Smith Photography

Suspended Design

Ideal for entertaining alfresco, the outdoor deck is flanked by a 600-square-foot infinity-edge saline pool that features floating steps, blue mosaic tiles, and a spa with connecting water feature. The floating cabana with a partially covered outdoor kitchen and sitting area overlooks the pool. In addition, there’s a covered lanai and private dock suited for a yacht.

Project Team

Choeff Levy Fischman Architecture + Design
Somar Pools
Steigertbuilt, LLC

Photographs by Lifestyle Production Group

Tropical Escape

This home’s warm materials and clean lines extend into a tropical lagoon pool, which features a natural rock grotto and waterfall, lush landscape, and a sprawling green space. Additional amenities include putting greens and a sunken fire lounge.

Project Team
Lucas Lagoons

Photographs by Blaine Johnathan

Eco-Luxe

This modern home and outdoor space is designed to be sustainable and luxurious, featuring energy efficient ICF concrete, solar, and a 50,000-gallon rainwater collection system. A skylight aligned with the swimming pool allows for sun during the day and views of the stars at night.

Project Team
Design Ecology / Design Aquatics
Cornerstone Architects

Photographs by Jimi Smith Photography

Chic and Sleek

With clean lines and a chic design, this custom pool, complete with a sun shelf, elevated spa, and waterwall, dazzles with four different varieties of glass tile and LED lighting.

Project by
First Class Pools & Spas

Photographs by Jimi Smith Photography

Entertainer’s Dream

Whether lounging in or by the pool or enjoying its multiple features—including a kitchen, fireplace, stunning fire and water elements, and floating cat walk—this project is the sweet spot for complete outdoor entertaining.

Project by
Superior Pools of Southwest Florida Inc.

Photographs by the pool’s designer Michael Sowerby

Skyline Views

The entire design of this residential resort highlights city views while creating the illusion that the pool is much larger than it is by wrapping around the corner of the house. It features an infinity-edge pool over the hillside and a spa surrounded by fire.

Project Team
Foxterra Design
Lara Pool Company

Photographs by Jeri Koegel

Tropical Escape

The ultimate residential resort, this design boasts a massive summer kitchen with a hibachi bar and large grill for entertaining. An expansive pergola with a 14’ rain curtain spills into the 52’ vanishing-edge pool to separate the spa area into a modern grotto and private space.

Project Team
Ike’s Carter Pools Companies;
Extreme Landscaping

Photograph by Jimi Smith Photography

Abundant Amenities

Step into this exotic space and sit around the in-pool fire feature overlooking the infinity-edge spilling into the lake. This private residence also features a grotto waterfall with an exotic car showcase as a backdrop as well as a custom waterslide.

Project Team
Lucas Lagoons

Garden Pool

Surrounded by meticulous landscaping —complete with ambient lighting inside the pool and throughout the garden—this custom poolscape features deck level water, in-floor cleaning system, custom limestone coping and deck, and elegant seating areas.

Project Team
Cox Pools Birmingham
Lorberbaum McNair and Associates
Charlie Thigpen’s Garden Gallery
Architectural Heritage
Copper Moon Lighting
Father Nature

Photograph by Reed Brown

Integrated Design

Like many pool projects in downtown Charleston, South Carolina, space is a challenge. Defined by longer, tighter lots, access and usable space comes at a premium. This three-part pool features a sun shelf, plunge area with custom steps and benches, and an integrated spa. The form of the pool adheres to elongated space of the lot.

Project Team
Heritage Pools, LLC

Photographs by Patrick Brickman

Linear Design

This large vanishing-edge pool is over 67 feet in length and features a sunken overflow spa with porcelain stepping stones and double porcelain coping. The surrounding turf installation provides a seamless linear look to this modern home.

Project Team
Almar Jackson Pools, Inc;.
Parker Yannette Design Group, Inc;.
Shapiro Pertnoy Company

Photograph by Ron Rosenzweig