Ornamental Pools

An ornamental pool works to entirely different rules in a garden, a hotel lobby, a shopping-mall atrium or a public square. Our technical team examines the space on site: viewing directions, pedestrian flow, the bearing condition of the floor and the sound tolerance of the space are all settled on this visit.

The electrical supply, the water supply and drainage options and, outdoors, the prevailing wind direction are assessed the same day; the splash allowance enters the calculation before the concept is even drawn.

• Area dimensions and viewing directions
• Indoor / outdoor decision
• Wind direction and splash allowance
• Electrical supply and panel condition
• Water supply and drainage line
• Floor bearing capacity
• Intended use (residential / commercial)
• Preliminary budget frame

The form of the pool, its levels and the water stage are drawn together: where the water will rise from, where it will fall, from what distance it will be watched. In a lobby, soft-sounding foam nozzles come to the fore; in a public square, powerful geyser columns; the sound level is chosen according to the function of the space.

Day and night scenarios are composed separately; the design is presented as a 3D visual, and its coherence with the finish and the surrounding paving is checked.

• Pool form and level composition
• Fountain composition
• Target sound level
• Day / night scenarios
• Finish and material language
• Coherence with the surrounding paving
• 3D visualisation
• Construction design approval

The basin is cast in reinforced concrete to suit the scale of the project, with the level and overflow heights set to the millimetre. Nozzle, lighting and drainage penetration pieces are set in place before the concrete is poured.

Waterproofing is applied in layers and verified by a water test before the finish goes on. The technical chamber that will house the pump and filter is positioned with maintenance access in mind.

• Excavation and blinding concrete
• Reinforced-concrete basin construction
• Pipe and nozzle penetration pieces
• Waterproofing layers
• Overflow and level heights
• Technical chamber / pump pit
• Water test (leak tightness)
• Construction approval

The element that really gives water its shape is the nozzle: fine jet nozzles draw rods as clear as glass, foam and geyser nozzles raise full columns aerated with air, cascade heads pour a curtain of water, and mushroom and swan-neck types set up a calm film of water.

Nozzles are selected together with the spray height, the flow rate and the layout plan. Outdoors, a wind sensor comes into play alongside a level switch that protects the system when the water runs low.

• Nozzle type selection (jet / foam / cascade)
• Spray height adjustment
• Nozzle layout plan
• Wind sensor (outdoors)
• Water level switch
• Matching pump and nozzle flow rates
• Stainless steel fixings
• Water stage rehearsal

An ornamental pool runs as a closed circuit: the same water is circulated continuously by quiet pumps and passed through the filter. Flow rate and pressure are calculated to produce the water form the nozzles call for; what we look for is the right match, not a large pump for show.

Filtration is the guarantee of clarity, circulation the guarantee of hygiene; a flow that leaves no stagnant corner suppresses algae and odour problems before they begin.

• Flow rate and pressure calculation
• Quiet pump selection
• Pre-filter and basket
• Filtration line installation
• Stagnant corner check
• Automatic water make-up
• Limescale and algae measures
• Valve and manifold arrangement

Underwater RGB fittings are aligned directly beneath the nozzles; the light passes up through the rising water and carries the column into the night. Colour and intensity are staged to suit the identity of the space.

Automation ties the fountain and lighting scenarios to a time schedule, while low-voltage transformers and residual-current protection establish safety. Separate modes can be defined for event days.

• Underwater RGB fittings
• Nozzle-to-light alignment
• Scenario programming
• Timed operation
• Low-voltage transformer position
• Residual-current protection
• Sealing of cable penetrations
• Night rehearsal

The cost of an ornamental pool is set by the size of the basin and the way it is built, the number and class of nozzles, the pump and filtration capacity, the level of lighting and automation, and the choice of finish. Two pools of the same size correspond to different budgets depending on the scope of the display.

After the site survey we present every item in writing and show the operating cost in the same table; running to set scenarios, which shortens pump hours, is an important part of that calculation.

• Basin size and construction
• Number and class of nozzles
• Pump and filtration item
• Lighting and automation
• Finish and natural stone
• Electrical infrastructure
• Operating cost forecast
• Itemised written quotation

Every scenario is tested on site: spray heights, splash limits, lighting scenes and automatic water make-up are verified one by one. Training in use is given at handover, and the maintenance routine is passed on as a written guide.

In regions where there is a risk of freezing, the winter plan is part of the handover as well: draining the pump and the lines, removing and storing delicate nozzles and setting the water level are all tied to a schedule.

• Testing of all scenarios
• Splash and level check
• Training in use
• Maintenance routine guide
• Winter drainage plan
• Nozzle removal and storage
• Frost protection
• Handover record