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A Special Collection of Dramatic Pools…Built to Inspire

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Whether your backyard is barren, overgrown, or just

plain dull, a well-crafted swimming pool can really

make a splash. Beautiful pools often look like they are

one with the environment, appearing as a natural entity rather than

a manmade work of art. Talented builders and designers around the

world are recognized for their impressive watershapes with awards

presented by pool-building guilds, societies, and educational groups.

These award-winning pools go to show that a backyard pool is

much more than convenient place to swim——it is the result of a

well-executed design and construction process.

With some inspiration from the pools featured in this book,

you’ll be ready to start finding a pool builder. During your search,

you are likely to come across builders who have been recognized

by——and/or are members of——leading associations in the industry.

While you certainly shouldn’t choose a builder based solely upon

the awards he or she has won, it’s helpful to understand who the

membership groups are and what they represent.

Aquatech Society,® a National Society of Pool-Building & Retailing

Professionals, has over 400 members, which include more than

235 pool-building professionals and 200 retail store operators. Its

membership grows through invitation only, and each candidate

must pass significant standards. Once inducted, all members

continue attending training sessions along with society meetings

Award-Winning

Pools

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Vibrant, yet relaxing, this backyard setting has something for everyone, includingan outdoor kitchen, cozy seating area, and elevated vanishing-edge spa.

Photographed by Balfour Walker for Cimarron Circle Construction Company, Tucson, Ariz.Aquatech Society, a National Society of Pool-Building & Retailing Professionals Award

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and seminars to keep abreast of the most current updates,

innovations, and advanced pool-building techniques in the

industry. The most important goal of all Aquatech pool

builders is customer satisfaction; approximately 80 percent

of all Aquatech customers are by referral.

Aquatech honors outstanding pool and spa projects across

the country with its annual Design Awards. These awards

showcase some of the most expertly crafted pools in the

industry and provide consumers with countless ideas.

Master Pools Guild,® Inc., is a global network of elite custom

pool builders who freely share ideas and information with each

other——from creative designs to construction techniques and

technology. Membership is by invitation only and is earned by

The designer used custom-blown glass tile to create a 360-degree negative edge, that in turn, gives the pool’s surface a mirror-like effect that captures the surrounding environment in its magic. Alderete Pools, Inc., San Clemente, Calif. Association of Pool & Spa Professionals Award

Falcon Pools, Ltd., Addlestone, Surrey, U.K. Master Pools Guild Award

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being a top custom builder in a respective area. Established in

1962 by builders from across the continental U.S., the Guild is

now the largest international network in the industry with over

115 members in Australia, Canada, Costa Rica, Dominican

Republic, England, Guatemala, Hawaii, Mexico, New Zealand,

Spain, South Africa, and across the U.S.

The guild celebrates amazing pool projects throughout the

world with its Awards of Excellence held every year. Members

receive an infusion of new ideas while benchmarking their

work with their peers. Frequent meetings and seminars ensure

that members keep up with the latest trends.

The Association of Pool & Spa Professionals (APSP) is the

world’s largest international trade association representing

the swimming pool, spa, and hot tub industry. For 40 years,

APSP has be awarding recognition to some of the most

beautiful and creative work in the pool and spa industry.

Every year, hundreds of entries are received from pool

builders and designers around the world for APSP’s

International Awards of Excellence. Only those worthy

of distinction are granted these awards.

The Northeast Pool & Spa Association (NESPA) is the

northeast affiliate of APSP. Made up of five regional chapters,

NESPA’s members serve Conn., N.Y., N.J., and Pa. NESPA

runs its own annual design awards, honoring brilliant pools

submitted for one or more of the 34 different categories.

Florida also has its own industry trade association, dubbed

the Florida Swimming Pool Association (FSPA), which runs

educational courses for professionals in the industry and is

an excellent consumer resource for finding local members,

which include pool builders, installers, service companies,

and other industry professionals. Its annual Design Awards

recognize impressive projects from Florida pool builders.

Challenges, technical achievements, design, and aesthetic

value are all taken into consideration during judging.

Full of sharp angles and soft curves, this poolscape takes a cue from the home’s elegant architecture and stone façade: blue stone finishes thecoping and the decking. The cozy seating area to the left features a firepit, while to the right, a fully-equipped outdoor kitchen awaits guestsMelissa Hoágkinson, CLA, landscape architect. Photographed by Lyn Atkins for National Pools of Roanoke, Inc., Roanoke, Va. Aquatech Society, a National Society of Pool-Building & Retailing Professionals Award

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The materials used to craft this elegant poolscape are what transform the venue from ordinary to spectacular. Travertine decking, all-glass custom blend finish, and the black granite at the perimeter overflow and vanishing edge give the setting a mysterious vibe that is multiplied by the surrounding nightscaping. Photographed by Scott Sandler for HydroScapes, LLC, Fountain Hills, Ariz. Luxury Pools magazine Pinnacle Award

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You can find members/dealers in your region or

more information about these industry associations

by visiting their official websites:

WorldwideAssociation of Pool & Spa Professionals

(APSP)www.apsp.org

Master Pools Guild,® Inc.www.masterpoolsguild.com

NationalAquatech Society,® a National Society of Pool-Building & Retailing Professionals

www.aquatechpools.com

Northeast Pool & Spa Association(NESPA)

www.nespapool.orgConnecticut, New York, New Jersey,

and Pennsylvania

FloridaFlorida Swimming Pool Association

(FSPA)www.floridapoolpro.com

It takes an educated builder and an innovative

designer to craft a breathtaking pool. In this book,

you will see pools, spas, and water features that have

won awards from one or more of the associations

listed above and/or have been honored with a

Pinnacle Award from Luxury Pools magazine, the

World Registry of Elite Pool Designers & Builders.

The builders of these projects have been honored for

their expert techniques in design and construction,

as well as their quality craftsmanship. Overall, these

photos will help to inspire your own swimming pool

design and give you a wide selection of options,

themes, and styles for your new backyard.

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Acuarium Piscinas Y Spas, Costa Rica. Association of Pool & SpaProfessionals Award

Lehmann Pools & Spas, Mahway, N.J. Association of Pool & SpaProfessionals Award

Distinctive Pools, Inc., Lewisville, Texas. Association of Pool & SpaProfessionals Award

Pristine white gives this indoor poolscape its character while the blue glass tile that finishes

the pool and elevated spa gives it its charm. Falcon Pools, Ltd., Addlestone, Surrey, U.K.

Master Pools Guild Award

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