A CLOSER LOOK AT THE PROJECT
Creating a One-of-a-Kind Pool on Lake George: Design and Engineering Innovation
This project truly stands out as a unique and challenging design-build endeavor. The homeowners of a 20+ year-old residence on Lake George presented us with an exceptionally creative request that would require innovative design, advanced engineering, and a skilled construction team to bring to life.
Picture this: standing on the lake shore, gazing up at the house perched on a steep slope, when the owner expresses their vision: “We want a pool near the house, and we want it at the same level as the first floor. Can you help us create this space?” At first glance, the elevation change between the ground level and the first floor of the house is about 25 feet, meaning the pool would be positioned roughly 20 feet in mid-air—a truly unique challenge!
Our immediate response? “Absolutely, we can figure this out!” But before diving into the design process, we took the time to understand the homeowners’ vision in greater detail, discussing their goals and preferences. As with all of our projects, we spent ample time exploring ideas, reviewing other custom pool projects we’ve completed, and discussing the possibilities that would best suit their needs and the property’s unique topography.
GOALS & DESIRES/ DESIGN COMPONENTS
- Incorporate an infinity edge pool that blends with the house and existing granite outcropping.
- Consider views from inside the house to the outside and vice versa when designing the pool area.
- Modify the existing dining room to integrate a new door in place of the window and multi-level deck that ties to the existing deck space off the family room.
- Design for multiple decks to create a dining space, covered relaxation space and a deck to connect between the dining room and living room.
- Lakeside wall of pool needs to visually blend to the existing granite outcropping and will likely be finished with a roughly squared & roughly rectangular granite veneer stone.
- The installation of pool fencing was very much not wanted.
- Integrate natural, organic shapes and materials for the new space and plantings.
- Design for storage areas for pool toys, supplies, etc.
CONSTRUCTION ADMINISTRATION
Lakefront Pool and Spa Design in Queensbury: Overcoming Zoning Challenges and Creating Unique Outdoor Spaces
Before diving into the design work, we meticulously reviewed the zoning requirements and potential restrictions set by the Town of Queensbury, the Lake George Park Commission, and the Department of Environmental Conservation. One key finding was that in Queensbury, pools are not permitted between the house and the lake, which prompted us to prepare for the variance process and engage the client in navigating these regulations.
After gaining the necessary approvals, we designed a multi-tiered landscape that included a series of retaining walls, reaching up to 15 feet in height. These walls were constructed with hand-hewn granite and capped with bluestone, creating a sophisticated yet durable aesthetic. Above the retaining walls, we integrated a custom 8’ x 14’ gunite spa, finished with a granite veneer and bluestone caps, adding an element of luxury and functionality to the design.
To connect the house to the newly created spa area, we designed three levels of mahogany decking, each serving a distinct purpose and creating unique outdoor living spaces. The family room deck serves as the dining area, intentionally designed without railings to maximize unobstructed views of Lake George. The mid-level deck serves as the spa deck, while the top level connects the covered living space, which was newly added by replacing the existing windows with French doors for seamless indoor-outdoor flow from the dining room.
A key design element was the 120-degree angle created by the kitchen bump-out on the house. We creatively mirrored this angle in the design of the retaining walls, decks, and spa, establishing a cohesive and visually striking series of connected yet distinct spaces. This thoughtful use of geometry not only enhances the landscape’s aesthetic appeal but also ensures each area offers stunning views of Lake George and the mountain landscape to the north.
The full effect of the layout and design is best appreciated through drone footage and aerial photography, which highlight the seamless integration of the outdoor spaces and the breathtaking surrounding scenery.
BENEFITS/ LESSONS LEARNED
- The 120-degree angle we incorporated into the design posed a unique challenge during construction. Ensuring this angle was precisely established from the start was critical to the overall success of the project. While the concept may seem straightforward on paper—simply aligning a few key points in the landscape—it became much more complex when executed. The angle had to be carefully measured across a 30-foot horizontal span and 20 feet below the first floor of the house, which made accuracy essential. Throughout the construction process, we had to constantly monitor this angle as we built the retaining walls, decks, and spa to ensure every element aligned perfectly and the final design came together exactly as envisioned.
- During the construction of the decks we discovered severe rot on several locations of the house. Of course, we had to correct these deficiencies before proceeding with residing those areas.
- The initial design included a storm water retention area (large depression) whose purpose is to control water runoff from entering the lake. During construction, the clients decided that they did not like this look so we had to re-design and address the water run-off with control systems buried underground. This was a challenge due to the large volume of water and the large proportion of bedrock on the property. Ultimately, we resolved the issue and satisfied the owners by installing two different buried infiltrator systems.