Pool - Spa - Tea House

Work was nearing completion on the area around the lake;  and construction of the main house, shown here, was well under way.  Now the question arose,  how do you make a swimming pool that would outdo the guest house and waterfall ?    With this as a challenge, the original plans for a pool-patio were put aside and a new study began.  

                                                                Rear view:   facing the river and swimming pool

There was a considerable amount of fill left over from the excavation of the lakes and it was stored at the rear of the property.  This was the exact location planned for the swimming pool complex.  In utilizing the fill, the entertainment area could be brought up almost level with the existing rear terraces of the main house.  Here was the key to make a pool complex which would physically and visually tie into the architecture of the residence.

 
Spa
Looking towards the main residence as the sun is rising in the morning.

Tea House,  Pool and Spa
Swimming, relaxation and outdoor dining was the goal to be achieved in designing this area.

Rear view of the residence facing the river
When dealing with waterfront property, it is an accepted fact that steps have to be taken to protect the residence from flooding during extreme weather conditions.  Sometimes walls and barricades are constructed to repel incoming flood water.  The Chinese and Japanese had a much better solution which did more than protect a structure.  First they built sloping walls from the ground up to form a broad platform.  On this elevated structure they built their architecture.  Visually the building now had a base and it was displayed like a fine piece of art.  

There are two methods of water control shown in the picture above. The first are the walls which are visible as a design factor.   These help to pull all the architectural elements together. The second is the bridge over a dry river bed.  The area under the bridge was left open to control the natural runoff of rain water from the higher ground of the estate during stormy weather.

Belvedere and bridge to the pool
In keeping with the idea to
implement excitement and
adventure in this revised pool plan, a belvedere and bridge were introduced into the walkway from the house to the swimming pool.  The belvedere, as defined,  is an architectural feature constructed to look out on a pleasant scene.  Considering the surroundings of this site,  this is a name well given.  Again, in the philosophy of the orient, what better place could be found to stop, sit down and look out on the serenity of nature.  Here in the early morning hours,  wading birds seek breakfast in the shallow water and rabbits can be found in the dry river bed foraging for tender new plants.

Over a period of time spent photographing this residence for architectural magazines,  I experienced all of the sensations where architecture and nature contribute to mental relaxation and a feeling of well-being.  The words I wrote here, in this web-site, are from first hand experience and are not composed as a result of poetic license. 

photography by Don F. Roban