Hocken House is a luxury residential swimming pool designed as a seamless extension of the client's home. Combining architectural elegance with commercial-grade engineering, the project features intelligent water treatment, energy-efficient circulation, automated safety systems and a meticulously designed plant room. Every hidden detail was engineered to the same standard as the visible finishes, delivering exceptional performance, reliability and a premium ownership experience.

Hocken House deserves recognition because it demonstrates that true luxury is achieved through the seamless integration of architecture, engineering and craftsmanship. Every decision was made to enhance the client's long-term experience, creating a swimming pool that is as technically accomplished as it is visually striking.From the outset, the objective was not simply to construct a premium residential pool, but to create an outdoor environment that would feel like a natural extension of the home.The result is a timeless design that combines clean architectural lines with commercial-grade engineering, intelligent automation and energy-efficient operation, delivering exceptional water quality, low running costs and effortless day-to-day ownership.One of the defining features of the project is the plant room. While many installations treat the engineering as something to be hidden, we adopted a different philosophy. Inspired by the world's finest performance cars, where engineering is proudly displayed as a work of craftsmanship, we designed the plant room to showcase the quality behind the project. Every pipe run, valve, manifold and electrical component was installed with precision, symmetry and accessibility in mi

The client's vision was to create an elegant outdoor living space that complemented the architecture of the property while providing a practical, low-maintenance family swimming pool. Rather than dominating the landscape, the pool was designed to appear as though it had always belonged within its surroundings. Every aspect of the design was developed collaboratively with the client, from the proportions of the pool and porcelain terraces to the concealed automatic safety cover and carefully positioned lighting. A key architectural objective was to create uninterrupted, clean lines throughout the external living space. To achieve this, LUMA engineered bespoke solutions that concealed functional elements beneath the finished paving while maintaining full accessibility for future servicing. The result is a timeless outdoor environment that is equally suited to relaxation, entertaining and family life. Every engineering decision supports the architectural vision, ensuring the technology enhances the experience without ever becoming visually intrusive.

Hocken House was engineered to deliver commercial-grade performance within a luxury residential environment. Every component and construction method was selected to maximise reliability, efficiency, serviceability and long-term ownership while complementing the architectural vision of the project. The result is a swimming pool where engineering excellence and architectural design work seamlessly together. The pool measures 11.20m x 4.56m, with a graduated depth from 1.20m to 1.70m, incorporating bespoke entrance steps designed to provide safe and comfortable access while maintaining clean architectural lines. The finish was completed using a premium Renolit reinforced liner, selected for its durability, appearance and proven long-term performance.(Supplied and installed by The Liner Guy) The hydraulic system was designed using 2-inch ABS pressure pipework, selected for its durability, corrosion resistance and reduced friction losses. Water is collected via Weltico A800 skimmers (Golden Coast) chosen to give a shallow freeboard which could cater for the automatic safety cover track whilst still being able to conceal the access lids below the paving, and Certikin HD100G main drains (Certikin) chosen to complement the grey liner, skimmers and returns , providing balanced surface and lower-water circulation, with a dedicated vacuum point incorporated for maintenance. Hydraulic calculations were undertaken to achieve the required design flow while minimising head loss, reducing energy consumption and improving overall system efficiency. The finished pool has a water volume of approximately 75m³ and was hydraulically designed to operate at a circulation rate of 14m³/hr, providing a complete turnover in approximately 5.4 hours. This flow rate was carefully calculated to optimise hydraulic efficiency, filtration performance and energy consumption while maintaining excellent water quality. Pipework sizing, equipment selection and system layout were engineered to minimise friction losses, ensuring balanced circulation throughout the pool and consistent treatment of the entire water body. Water circulation is provided by an Inverpro variable-speed circulation pump (Golden Coast), selected for its quiet operation and energy efficiency. Filtration is achieved using a Waterco multicyclone pre-filter and twin Waterco Trimline 100 cartridge filters (both Golden Coast), chosen to deliver exceptional water clarity while significantly reducing water consumption by eliminating the need for routine backwashing. Water quality is automatically maintained using a Kuntze Neon dosing system (supplied direct from Kuntze), continuously monitoring and controlling pH 7.2 and free chlorine levels 1.5ppm. Secondary disinfection is provided by a Blue Lagoon 130W UV system (Certikin), reducing chloramine formation and improving swimmer comfort. Kuntze Cloud Connect allows remote monitoring and diagnostics, while an automatic water level controller maintains consistent operating levels with minimal user intervention. Heating is provided by a Fairland X20 Full Inverter heat pump (Golden Coast), selected for its high seasonal efficiency, quiet operation and low running costs. Intelligent control through the iGarden platform enables optimum water temperature to be maintained while minimising energy consumption. The pool is protected by an integrated T&A AquaGuard automatic safety cover (Paragon pool services), chosen to improve user safety while reducing evaporation, heat loss and chemical consumption. Its concealed installation preserves the clean architectural appearance of the finished pool without compromising functionality. A key architectural requirement from the client was that no functional components should interrupt the finished porcelain terrace. They specifically requested that skimmer lids, deck boxes, drainage channels and access covers were not visible within the paved areas. To achieve this, we utilised a raised porcelain pedestal system, allowing the paving to float above the service infrastructure. This enabled skimmer access, automatic cover, deck boxes, ACO drainage channels and service access points to be completely concealed beneath the paving while remaining fully accessible for inspection and maintenance. The result is a seamless architectural finish without compromising practicality or future serviceability. Underwater illumination is provided by Astral LumiPlus RGBW LED lighting, carefully positioned to create balanced illumination throughout the pool while enhancing the surrounding landscape and architecture during evening use. These were chosen for their reliability, wifi intergration and energy efficiency. One of the principal engineering challenges was the pool's close proximity to an existing soakaway system, creating the potential for groundwater ingress and hydrostatic pressure beneath the structure. To overcome this, the existing soakaway drainage was redesigned and rerouted away from the excavation. The reinforced concrete shell was constructed using waterproof concrete, and the external structure was protected using a waterproof membrane system typically specified for below-ground basement construction. A Seagrave free-draining backfill system was then installed around the structure to relieve hydrostatic pressure and promote controlled groundwater movement away from the pool. This integrated waterproofing strategy provides long-term structural protection while ensuring the integrity and durability of the installation. A defining feature of the project is the plant room. Rather than treating the engineering as something to be concealed, we adopted the philosophy that exceptional engineering should be worthy of being seen. Inspired by the world's finest performance vehicles, where engineering is celebrated rather than hidden, every pipe run, valve, manifold and electrical installation was designed with symmetry, precision and accessibility in mind. The completed plant room is not only highly functional and simple to maintain, but also reflects the same level of craftsmanship as the finished pool itself, demonstrating that the hidden elements of a project deserve the same attention to detail as the visible ones. This integrated engineering approach has produced a swimming pool that is energy efficient, simple to maintain, exceptionally reliable and designed to provide outstanding performance for many years to come. It demonstrates how thoughtful engineering, innovative construction methods and meticulous attention to detail can create a luxury residential pool that performs to commercial standards while exceeding the client's architectural expectations.

Luma Pools LTD