Natural Swimming Pools

Hi Miles,

I used to work for BioNova Natural Pools. At that time, we were just really getting started with work in the US though the German headquarters had been in practice for over 2 decades. Now they have built a few residential NSPs and are working on the first public one in the states. I don’t mean to sound like a sales pitch, but what I can tell you is that it’s a pretty technical/scientific process to get the system to function properly. You might try to wing the design and construction based on whatever research you can find, but I think it would be safer (in terms of water quality) to work with an experienced company that has really refined the technology. BioNova has there are several licensed “dealer partners” in the Northeast that could do the construction and technical aspects of the NSP while working with you (the landscape architect) to get the design right if that’s the direction you wanted to go in. Either way, good luck on your project! It’s such a neat concept, I hope they become a lot more common in the US.

Yeah, I knew it would be expensive. I do know of Michael Littlewood and his books -I know my boss hated them and thought they were very technically flawed and gave poor advice. Without actually having built an NSP myself, I can’t really judge. I guess your best bet would be to try to track down people who own pools built with Littlewood’s instruction and see how they function (how much algal growth, water testing results, etc. -keeping in mind that some slimy biofilm is normal.) But I’m guessing that’s exactly what you’re trying to do by posting on here!

No, I’m not using anything specific to natural pools now. I work for a small landscape arch/planning firm that does a lot of public sector work. I just wanted to work under an LA and get some broader experience in the field so I didn’t get pigeon-holed into pools -but I would love to get involved with NSPs (in a more technical hands-on way) again sometime in the future. It seems like they’re about to hit a turning point in the states now, especially when the first public NSP is built.

Hello Miles;

My only input concerning (NPS) pools…….as with ANY type of man-made pool, you are going to have “structural design” elements when designing these pools. 

I have very extensive experience (over 30+ years designing private & commercial pools & water features)…..several hundred.  One of the most important things I learned over the years is that a “Licensed Structural Engineer” should be retained to design ALL “structural” elements of the pool.  They have the expertise with respect to soils & structural design that Landscape Architects don’t have.  Well, I realize we are taught to design “details” for just about everything we design….but, the liability that comes with “structural design” is serious business.  If a pool structure fails or a person is injured due to a defect in the structural design…someone is going to be sitting on the WRONG end of a law suit. So, I would design the pools/water features…and add a note that basically stated “All structural design elements for this pool shall be provided by a Licensed Structural Engineer”.  I specified things like pool tile, coping, plaster type/color, pool decking, shape, depth, pool safety elements, etc…and ensured that every pool design was 100% within code compliance (city & state)…also, very important, as those codes vary…but, normally the STATE code prevails over all city pool codes.

I’ve never designed an (NSP)…..I turned over my designs to home owners and developers…and I feel sure that the pool water was treated with “chemicals”.

Regards,

J. Robert (Bob) Wainner

Hi Miles,

I Have been interested In this subject for a number of years but have a not had the opportunity to design or build a Natural pool.

Attached is the information I have on constructing natural pools. Maybe it will be of some use.

It is a great idea, good luck, please keep me abreast of your Progress.

Todd Chambers

It’s fantastic : been looking for that client for a few years now, and all my time researching the topic still cannot come to fruition. Best of luck for the process !

In all my internet wanderings and book readings, the most useful source I found is a book written by Wolfram FRANKE : “Der Traum vom eigenen Schwimmteich“, 2004. I have the french translation, and I’m confident you can find one in english.

It’s extremely clear under all aspects of technical details, from water quality, to construction, planting and so forth… but better than anything else, it makes this concept so clear and simple, that you can’t feel shy anymore, and feel ready to walk into the process with a degree of confidence.

Keep us updated on your progress !