Modern Escape: Round Pool at The Glass House

Oh, to have a swimming pool... The beach is a great escape but there is something so decadent about having a private pool — a tiny escape, always available, right in your own yard. Sadly, most in-ground pools are huge, overbearing rectangles surrounded by a sea of boring concrete. But on our recent trip to Philip Johnson's Glass House our faith was renewed in the ability of a manmade swimmin' hole to be both beautiful and subtle, while peacefully coexisting with the residential environment...

The small scale, swirling pool is surrounded by lush, tall grass on all sides making it almost invisible when seen from the house — a seductive sliver of cool blue water peeking through the field of green grass. The round shape makes it much more social than athletic, which we love. A submerged circular ramp guides the swimmer from a shallow entry to a deep, almost dive-safe center. The cool stone overhang creates a lovely pier effect, perfect for dangling feet on a warm summer day.

While not for little ones, this pool is quite the luxurious, private escape!

Comments (7)

Thats very cool, thanks for sharing. I would like to see more modern pools out there as tasteful as this one.

posted by Bikegirl71 on July 13th 2009 at 4:30pm
view Bikegirl71's profile

It really would of been cool if this was a black bottom pool.

posted by LoriSF on July 13th 2009 at 4:47pm
view LoriSF's profile

I'd like this better if it were painted a less tropical swimming pool color, a nice woodland grey maybe.

posted by Kate (NC) on July 13th 2009 at 4:53pm
view Kate (NC)'s profile

Growing up, my cousins had a round pool - the land had once been owned by a guy who made silos for a living, so he just poured a round one and called it a day. It was really fun, and it was so solidly built we could skate on it in the winter with no issue.

posted by anaximander on July 13th 2009 at 10:56pm
view anaximander's profile

I LUY my pool not round either picture when first put in 4 years ago
http://www.31islandview.com/images/768_352oldsag102003pic1.jpg

and now with mature landscaping
http://www.31islandview.com/images/483_352oldsagharborrd0509andSEBRING_018.jpg
Comments?

posted by parrishnut on July 13th 2009 at 11:03pm
view parrishnut's profile

I love the look of the circular pool! It is sort of surprising to see it with the aqua-blue bottom, I would have expected to see a more natural colour for the liner.

posted by Graceless on July 14th 2009 at 3:00pm
view Graceless's profile

Oooh, thank you for a look at Philip Johnson's house. I had no idea there was a pool!

posted by kristinmharvey on July 14th 2009 at 11:40pm
view kristinmharvey's profile