It is a rare opportunity to design a luxury private swimming pool in the North East of England, let alone convert an empty house to be able to do so.
The client for this particular project, had purchased the neighbouring vacant 1970s, 2 Bedroom bungalow, in Darlington, Co.Durham which had been for sale on the open market for many months. The brief was to convert the Bungalow into a private swimming pool and include a small home gymnasium for the enjoyment of the client’s family.
Following the successful granting of Planning Permission and Building Regulations approval, a selective tendering process was undertaken. Through this, a highly experienced Main Contractor—specialising in projects involving swimming pools—was appointed alongside a reputable Swimming Pool Supplier.
A critical factor in the success of this ambitious and innovative project was the establishment of a clear and carefully sequenced construction programme for both the building conversion and the installation of the swimming pool. A key design feature included a glazed link structure between the existing bungalow and the main residence, enabling seamless access to the new pool and gymnasium facilities from the client’s current home.
As part of their remit, the pool contractor was required to produce fully coordinated construction issue drawings. These included detailed layouts for the pool structure, pool fittings, plant room arrangements, pipework schematics, and ductwork designs. Precision was essential to ensure complete integration with the overall building design, down to the placement of floor vents intended to prevent condensation on low-level glazing.
The pool design adhered to the latest SPATA (Swimming Pool and Allied Trades Association) standards and included comprehensive interface details with adjacent structures, as well as any required preparatory works by others. The contractor was also expected to participate in all Design Team Meetings (DTMs), maintain close collaboration with the client, design and project management teams, main contractor, and all on-site trades. Furthermore, dedicated coordination was undertaken with AV and home automation specialists to enable a fully integrated and automated control system for the pool and associated spaces.
Given that the bungalow was originally constructed in the 1970s, the existing foundations were found to be insufficient to support the proposed development and were at risk of being compromised by the depth and hydrostatic pressure of the new swimming pool. To address this, the entire perimeter of the bungalow was underpinned to provide the necessary structural stability.
Subsequently, the original roof structure was removed and rebuilt at a higher level to accommodate the required headroom for the new gymnasium space, which also incorporated the addition of dormer windows. With the structural modifications complete, excavation of the pool area commenced, enabling preparations for the construction of the swimming pool.
The swimming pool is a 9-metre by 3-metre reinforced concrete, deck-level structure incorporating an integral cover cave, balance tank, and a full perimeter overflow channel. The shell was constructed using a shuttered and vibrated concrete method to ensure structural integrity, and was subsequently finished with a cementitious render and screed system, overlaid with a high-performance elastomeric waterproofing membrane. The internal decorative finish comprises small-format, oily black glass mosaics, complemented by a bespoke dual-slot coping and grille system.
Key pool features include a turbine-driven counter-current swimming system, an automated slatted pool cover, LED underwater lighting, a ducted air handling system, and ultraviolet (UV) water treatment for enhanced hygiene and reduced chemical use.
All circulation fittings are connected using underground, solvent-welded PVC-U pipework, installed with appropriate support at specified intervals. Any concealed pipework is subject to pressure testing, which must be witnessed and documented. Hydraulic design parameters specify maximum pipeline velocities of 1.5 m/s for suction lines and 2.0 m/s for return lines. Both above and below-ground pipework are to be manufactured to a minimum PN10 rating in dark grey PVC-U, with fittings solvent-welded or flanged in accordance with BS 4346. All plantroom pipework is to be neatly arranged, and all service valves clearly tagged or labelled prior to commissioning.
The dedicated plantroom houses bobbin-wound sand pressure filters with internal distribution and collection laterals, connected via multiport control valves. Filtration media consists of 16/30-grade silica sand, specified in line with manufacturer guidance. A pressure gauge is fitted to monitor filter condition. The filtration system is driven by a self-priming, close-coupled circulation pump featuring an integral coarse strainer, all mounted on an anti-vibration base. A dedicated backwash waste pipe is routed to a suitably sized drainage point. The domestic UV treatment unit complements the filtration package, which is designed to provide a full turnover of the pool volume within a five-hour cycle, operating at a maximum filtration rate of 50 m³/m²/hr.
The air handling system comprises a Recotherm dehumidifier constructed from galvanised and plastisol-coated, insulated steel panels with quick-release fasteners, all mounted within a galvanised framework. The system includes a main recirculation fan, exhaust air fan, and automated dampers to enable fresh air intake and maintain negative pressure within the pool hall. Air filtration is provided via side-withdrawal panel filters, and full dehumidification is achieved through modulated fresh air input. The system also incorporates a fully controlled low-pressure hot water (LPHW) air heater battery and a LPHW calorifier for pool water heating. All environmental controls are fully integrated and automated, offering regulation of humidity, air and water temperatures, as well as comprehensive status and fault indicators. The air heating system has been upgraded to accommodate a reduced primary water temperature of 55°C for increased energy efficiency.
The end result is an extremely luxurious swimming pool which won the 2025 British Pool & Hot Tub Awards helled by SPATA.