7 iconic designed pools

When all that matters is relief from the heat, as long as the water is clear and the sun is blazing, function can overcome aesthetics.

Except when pools are considered a gathering piece of a greater composition.

Esteemed architects have long integrated pools into their plans as vital components of a property's visual and architectural identity. These pools not only enhance their surroundings but also often emerge as striking architectural statements on their own.

Ricardo Bofill: Family House

Throughout history, several renowned artists, architects, and designers have turned their talents to the design of pools, transforming them from simple places of recreation into masterpieces of design, and showcasing the boundaries of what a pool can represent in both public and private spaces.

Cuadra San Cristóbal, Los Clubes, Atizapán de Zaragoza, State of Mexico, 1966–1968. View of the horse pool and residence.
Photo Armando Salas Portugal

Unexpected masterpieces are presented as below, declined as 7 iconic ways to consider a refreshing spot of a domestic landscape.

I don’t divide architecture, landscape, and gardening; to me, they are one. My house is my refuge, an emotional piece of architecture, not a cold piece of convenience. A garden must combine the poetic and the mysterious with a feeling of serenity and joy.

Barragán

Luis Barragán: Pools as Emotional Spaces

Mexican architect Luis Barragán is celebrated for his use of color, light, and texture in creating deeply emotional spaces.

Barragán viewed pools not just as recreational spaces but as elements that evoke emotional responses, using water to play with light, shadow, and color in ways that create a meditative atmosphere.

In particular, the Cuadra San Cristóbal is a private estate designed by the esteemed architect, situated in Los Clubes, a residential enclave near Las Arboledas, northeast of Mexico City. This estate, part of a development in a once-rural area, comprises a house, horse stables, and auxiliary facilities, all crafted with Barragán's distinctive modernist approach.

The architecture is defined by its minimalist geometric forms and the use of bold color blocks—primarily pink, terracotta, and white—that contrast sharply with the surrounding greenery. The estate's design emphasizes the integration of architecture with the natural environment, creating a seamless connection between indoor and outdoor spaces.

Auxiliary facilities, including storage and grooming spaces, are discreetly positioned to maintain the estate's cohesive design.

Luis Barragán. The water pool at Cuadra San Cristóbal serves three purposes. Firstly, as a drinking fountain for horses. Secondly, as a serene reflection pond. Finally, as an amazing swimming pool for horses.
Photo by Edgar Gonz, from VOL.VER estudio.

Ricardo Bofill: Family House.
Front view

Ricardo Bofill: The Industrial Pool

A private swimming pool in Catalonia, designed by renowned architect Ricardo Bofill, exemplifies his signature blend of modernism and Mediterranean influences. The pool features clean, geometric lines and is seamlessly integrated into the surrounding landscape. Its minimalist design is complemented by the use of natural materials, such as stone and concrete, which create a harmonious connection with the environment.

The pool's serene water surface reflects the architecture and the Catalonian sky, while the surrounding terrace offers an elegant space for relaxation, embodying

The pool’s simple, rectangular shape is softened by the surrounding lush vegetation, creating a serene oasis within the rugged, concrete environment. Bofill’s pool design exemplifies his ability to blend industrial aesthetics with natural beauty, turning a utilitarian space into a work of art.

Pablo Picasso, El Martinete in Marbella. Villa SWNS.com

Pablo Picasso: an ode to his hosts

Pablo Picasso decided to create an artwork on the bottom of the swimming pool at Villa El Martinete in Marbella, transforming it into a unique masterpiece. The pool became a canvas for Picasso's creativity, turning an ordinary swimming area into an extraordinary piece of art. His design, applied directly onto the pool floor, merged the functionality of the space with his distinctive artistic vision, making the pool not just a place for swimming, but a living representation of Picasso's genius. This blend of art and utility highlights the innovative spirit that characterized his work.

Gateway, 2019

Joana Vasconcelos: the colorful experience

At Jupiter Artland in Edinburgh, Joana Vasconcelos created Gateway, a strikingly immersive and vibrant artwork that transforms a swimming pool into a kaleidoscopic experience. The pool's surface and surrounding areas are adorned with intricate, hand-painted ceramic tiles in bold, colorful patterns inspired by Vasconcelos' Portuguese heritage. The design is rich with symbolism, blending traditional motifs with contemporary artistry, and creating an inviting, yet surreal atmosphere.

Gateway is not just a functional pool but an artistic installation that engages viewers with its vivid visual impact. The artwork explores themes of identity, culture, and transformation, inviting visitors to experience a unique fusion of art and environment. The pool’s surroundings further enhance the experience, integrating seamlessly with the landscape of Jupiter Artland while standing out as a dynamic and thought-provoking centerpiece.

Luke Edward Hall

Luke Edward Hall: a playful canvas

The pool created by Luke Edward Hall for the holiday home of Belgian designer Jean-Philippe Demeyer in Portugal is a vibrant and playful addition to the property. This pool is characterized by its bold and artistic design, reflecting both Hall's whimsical style and Demeyer's eclectic taste. The pool features a striking pattern of colorful tiles that cover the pool floor and walls, creating a visually stimulating environment that blurs the line between art and utility.

The design incorporates a mix of geometric shapes and vibrant hues, evoking a sense of joy and creativity. The surrounding area complements the pool's aesthetic, with carefully chosen furniture and decor that add to the overall atmosphere of relaxed elegance and artistic flair. This pool is not just a place for swimming, but a centerpiece that embodies the unique, imaginative spirit of the home.

Photo Jean-Luc Terradillos

James Turrell: water is matter

The pool designed by James Turrell is an extraordinary fusion of art and architecture, reflecting his profound exploration of light and perception. Known for his work with light and space, Turrell's pool is more than just a place to swim; it is an immersive experience that engages the senses.

His work also includes the Heavy Water pool, created in 1992 for Confort-Moderne, a space dedicated to culture in Poitiers just outside Paris.

The pool is typically embedded with elements that manipulate light, creating a serene and otherworldly atmosphere. The surrounding environment is meticulously designed to enhance the interplay of natural and artificial light, with soft, glowing hues that change throughout the day, altering the ambiance. At night, the pool may be illuminated with subtle lighting that creates reflections and shadows, enhancing the meditative quality of the space.

The pool’s minimalist design emphasises clean lines and seamless integration with its surroundings, often featuring materials that reflect or absorb light in unique ways. Turrell’s pool is a contemplative space, where the water becomes a medium for experiencing light and space, embodying his artistic philosophy of creating environments that challenge our perception of the physical world.

A glimpse of James Turrell's stunning pool. To enjoy the work, visitors had to immerse themselves in the water, and retro-cut costumes designed by the artist for the occasion were sold in the museum shop.

Tadao Ando: the balance between rational and substance

This residential property, designed by Tadao Andō over a decade ago, showcases an exceptional swimming pool that epitomizes his architectural vision. The pool begins at one side of the house, seamlessly integrating with the structure’s clean, minimalist lines. It then extends dramatically into a cantilever that projects over the edge of the property, offering breathtaking views of the Sierra Madre mountains.

Casa Monterrey, in Monterrey, Mexico Photo: Edmund Sumner-VIEW/Alamy

The pool's design is characterized by its sleek, geometric form and its use of high-quality materials, maintaining the property's understated elegance. The cantilevered section of the pool creates an impressive visual effect, appearing to float above the landscape and providing a striking vantage point for enjoying the surrounding natural beauty. This design not only enhances the connection between the house and its mountainous environment but also exemplifies Andō's ability to blend modernist principles with the dramatic features of the site.