A swimming pool can be a tricky addition to integrate into an existing home design not only because it’s a very large and prominent design element, but also because of strict safety code requirements. One of these requirements was to enclose the pool with a four foot high fence. Since this home sits on a thirteen-acre property it wasn’t feasible to enclose the entire property, so a way to surround the pool with a fence needed to be devised.

The solution was to integrate the fence into the landscape that gently slopes to an existing pond, while keeping the pool deck level. This created a pool deck that rises above the level of the fence and allows unobstructed views of the pond beyond. The west side of the pool was pushed into the hillside, necessitating the construction of stone walls clad in the same stone as the house to hold back the hillside. A set of stairs passes by a small outdoor shower and bluestone patio and leads to the hot tub located in a screened porch on the main level of the house.