BABCOCK CUSTOM POOLS & ENVIRONMENTS

SUNSET HAVEN: A FAMILY RETREAT IN THOUSAND OAKS

Designing and building custom pools is always a privilege, but some projects stand out as especially meaningful. For Richard Babcock and his team at Babcock Custom Pools and Environments, the opportunity to create a personal retreat for a young family of four in Newberry Park, California, was exactly that. A husband, wife, and their two children—both under ten—wanted a space that felt timeless, functional, and fun. “We all know how valuable a pool is to children,” says Babcock. “Or should I say, to young adults in training.”

A Thoughtful Site Selection

The family’s hillside home presented an initial challenge: the natural slope of the backyard. Installing the pool there would have required costly engineering, including caissons and grade beams. Rather than compromise the project with excessive expense, Babcock proposed an innovative alternative. The pool was relocated to the side of the property, an underutilized area that offered both practicality and charm. This choice not only made the build more efficient but also provided space for something the family hadn’t anticipated—an outdoor bathroom complete with a porcelain toilet, porcelain sink, and shower. “I call it my portable bathroom,” Babcock explains. “It’s fully functional, with all the amenities of an indoor bath. When you’re entertaining or spending a long day by the pool, it’s indispensable.”

Designing with Purpose

The design itself was christened Sunset Haven, an homage to the sweeping light that spills across the property as evening falls. In shaping the pool, Babcock deliberately avoided rigid lines. Instead, he embraced natural curves to maximize every inch of the yard and create a flowing, organic footprint. The pool edges push to the property boundaries, making the most of the lot while still leaving generous space for relaxation and gathering. A seating deck provides the perfect spot for enjoying snacks, conversation, or the California sun. Elevated above the pool, this terrace feels like both a balcony and a stage overlooking the deep canyon below.

A Finish That Shines

Details are what transform a pool from a simple amenity into a luxury statement. For Sunset Haven, Babcock selected a shimmering glass tile finished with translucent grout from Laticrete. The effect is luminous: light plays across the surface, creating a jewel-like backdrop that shifts with the angle of the sun. To complete the look, Babcock partnered with Universal Plaster Company, a long-time collaborator known for its proprietary formula that enhances both durability and strength. “I always appreciate working with them,” he says. “Their finishes provide not just beauty but long-lasting performance.”

A Family’s Gathering Place

Beyond the technical details, Sunset Haven is ultimately about lifestyle. For the children, it is a playground, a place to splash, swim, and grow into confident young athletes. For the parents, it is an oasis where they can relax, entertain, and create memories. Every curve of the pool, every surface detail, was designed with this duality in mind. “Every project we take on is unique,” Babcock reflects. “Our job is to maximize the space we’re given and transform it into something personal, something enduring. For this family, that meant delivering a one-of-a-kind outdoor environment where functionality and artistry meet.”

The Philosophy of Craft

Sunset Haven is a vivid example of Babcock Custom Pools’ philosophy: thinking outside the box. Whether it’s relocating a pool for smarter design, integrating an outdoor bathroom for convenience, or pushing the limits of property boundaries to capture every usable inch, the team approaches each build with fresh vision. “It’s always an honor and privilege to create these environments,” says Babcock. “At the end of the day, it’s about more than pools. It’s about experiences, about families, about creating places where memories are made.”

A Lasting Impression

As the sun sets over Thousand Oaks and the light dances across the glass tile, Sunset Haven earns its name. The pool is more than a backyard feature—it’s a family retreat, a sanctuary of beauty and function woven seamlessly into its surroundings. For the homeowners, it will be the heart of their outdoor living for years to come. For Babcock and his team, it stands as another proud chapter in a career devoted to excellence. “We look forward to creating your perfect, one-of-a-kind outdoor living environment,” Babcock concludes, signing off with the sincerity that has come to define his work.