An 11.22m × 3.77m Aqua Technics Royale one-piece pool installed within the grounds of a Grade II listed Georgian home. The Horizon finish delivers the vibrant blue water requested by the family, while Indian sandstone, established planting and sympathetic landscaping integrate the contemporary pool into its historic setting. Designed for family use, low maintenance and energy-conscious operation.

Tuesnoad deserves recognition because it demonstrates that a contemporary one-piece swimming pool can be successfully introduced into a historic setting without looking out of place.The Grade II listed Georgian property demanded a sensitive approach. The client wanted exactly what might initially appear difficult to reconcile with that setting: a large, vibrant blue, modern swimming pool. Rather than attempting to disguise the contemporary nature of the pool, the design balances old and new. The striking Horizon water is softened by Indian sandstone, established planting and traditional brickwork, allowing the pool to become a focal point while still feeling entirely at home within the garden.It is this contrast that makes the finished project so successful. The clean lines and vivid blue of the 11.22m Aqua Technics Royale sit against softer, traditional materials and mature surroundings, creating a garden that feels established rather than dominated by a new swimming pool.The project also represents a long client journey. The original enquiry was received in 2020, but COVID-19 delayed the project for almost two years. By the time the client was ready to proceed, XL Pools had changed one-piece pool manufacturers. Rather tha

The client wanted a large, bright-blue family pool that was easy to maintain while remaining sympathetic to their Grade II listed Georgian home. Originally approached in 2020, the project was delayed by COVID-19. When it resumed, XL Pools had moved to Aqua Technics and recommended the 11.22m Royale as a superior solution. Its 1.1m–1.8m sloping depth provides shallower space for family use while retaining a substantial deep end, with integrated steps and an additional handrail providing easy access. The vibrant Horizon finish fulfilled the client’s preference for bright-blue water, while soft Indian sandstone, traditional brick walls and surrounding planting were used to integrate the contemporary pool naturally into its historic setting. Equipment was discreetly housed within an existing outbuilding, avoiding the need for a visually intrusive new plant room and preserving the character of the garden.

The pool is an Aqua Technics Royale one-piece swimming pool, manufactured in Australia and measuring 11.22m × 3.77m internally, with a sloping depth from 1.1m to 1.8m and an approximate water volume of 55m³. The Royale was selected to provide the generous swimming length required by the family while combining shallow and deeper areas within one shell. Integrated entry steps provide straightforward access, supplemented by an additional handrail to provide assisted entry. The pool was specified in Aqua Technics' Horizon finish to meet the client's strong preference for vibrant blue water. Beyond aesthetics, the Aqua Technics construction offered important long-term maintenance advantages. MicroTech antimicrobial protection is incorporated within the pool surface, while Pool ColourGuard technology provides enhanced protection of the surface finish, helping retain its appearance and reduce the likelihood of costly future refurbishment. Filtration is provided by a Zodiac MS650 24" filter paired with a Zodiac FloPro 150M 1.0HP single-phase circulation pump. The system operates at approximately 12.5m³/h, achieving a turnover of approximately 4.5 hours and a filtration rate of 39m³/m²/h. The equipment was selected to provide dependable circulation and filtration appropriate to the approximately 55m³ pool volume. Hydraulic circulation comprises two 63mm suction outlets with safety grilles, a Technics & Applications stainless-steel weir-type skimmer rated at approximately 9m³/h and two 63mm Ocean return outlets with stainless-steel covers. Suction and return lines have an internal diameter of 55mm. Water treatment is provided by a Certikin in-line chlorine feeder, offering a straightforward and reliable sanitisation method appropriate to the client's priority for uncomplicated pool ownership. Heating is provided by a Zodiac Z550 MD8 air-source heat pump. This was paired with a Technics & Applications AquaTop solar polycarbonate slatted cover, providing an energy-conscious approach to maintaining water temperature. The cover significantly reduces evaporation and associated heat loss while its solar properties contribute to heat gain when conditions permit. Plant equipment was discreetly accommodated within an existing shed adjacent to the swimming pool. This provided an appropriately positioned plant area without introducing another structure into the grounds of the listed property, keeping the technical equipment visually separate from the finished garden. One of the principal non-technical challenges was the property's Grade II listed status and the requirement for planning permission. XL Pools handled the planning application on the client's behalf, managing the process and keeping the client informed throughout. Permission was successfully obtained within approximately six weeks without conditions. Despite the project subsequently being delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic and the eventual pool model changing, the approved specification was sufficiently similar that a new planning application was not required. The one-piece construction method also provided significant benefits once work commenced on site. The swimming pool installation was completed within approximately one month and deliberately undertaken before the wider garden renovation, minimising disruption and allowing subsequent landscaping to progress around the completed pool. The finished installation combines the structural and surface technology of an Aqua Technics one-piece pool with reliable filtration and heating, Technics & Applications slatted cover with the solar benefits, producing an efficient and comparatively straightforward pool for the family to operate and maintain.

XL Pools Ltd