Indoor Illusion

A pool with a seamless breathtaking view

Project by Roger Willis Contracting Ltd.

Located along Ottawa’s Rideau Canal, this indoor pool was an integral design feature of a newly constructed residence. As outdoor pools typically offer a shorter season, the homeowners opted for an indoor pool that would allow them year-round enjoyment. As a result, the task at hand was incorporating the openness of an outdoor pool into the conveniences of an indoor design.

The home’s Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired design, along with its many luxurious refinements, was created by Malcolm Wildeboer, an architect with Wildeboer & Associates. Roger Willis Contracting Ltd., an Ottawa-based watershape design/builder was enlisted to design and construct the pool. Working together, they took a unique approach to create the 5.5- x 11.1-m (18- x 36.5-ft) custom concrete pool and its surrounding structure, which incorporates large floor-to-ceiling glass doors that open on all sides, wall-to-wall, to create an open concept connection between the pool area and exterior landscaped patios. By creating this openness, the feeling of being outdoors is always present. To further extend this transition, glass skylights were installed above the pool, nestled between large laminated wood beams that support the building.

The icing on the cake was creating a vanishing edge to produce the illusion of the pool seamlessly merging with the adjacent body of water. A sleek perimeter-overflow hot tub, lined with thousands of 51- x 51-mm (2- x 2-in) iridescent glass tiles, complements the pool. The same tile is used along the pool’s waterline, vanishing edge, and step markers. The deck and perimeter pool coping are finished with large limestone slabs to co-ordinate with other interior/exterior features.

This project is not only easy on the eyes, but also on its environmental impact. To make the project more sustainable and energy efficient, the pool shell was completely insulated, while state-of-the art equipment such as variable-speed pumps (VSPs) with built-in timers, an automation system, light emitting diode (LED) colour lighting, and an automatic cover were installed. Two high velocity swim jets were also installed to permit stationary swimming and aquatic exercise.

Fluid project management was essential by DC Snelling Ltd., of Prescott, Ont., the builder of the home, as the pool was not only an integral part of the design, but also was built in tandem with the home.

This project earned Roger Willis Contracting a gold award in the Pool & Hot Tub Council of Canada’s (PHTCC’s) 2017 Design & Construction Awards and a 2018 Award of Excellence from the Landscape Ontario Horticultural Trades Association. The project was also the recipient of the prestigious Casey van Maris Award from Landscape Ontario which is given to the project awarded the highest marks for execution of unique and innovative design in landscaping.