Pool & Spa Scene editor, Christina Connor, represented the UK as one of a panel of international judges in the recent Italian Pool Awards. Here Pool & Spa Scene brings you an outstanding selection of category winners to both admire and inspire…
Five Star Design Winners of the Outdoor Commercial Pool category in the recent Italian Pool Awards, this pool was created by the team from Big Blu, a team renowned for raising the bar for sustainable and outstanding water leisure projects. Located on a splendid coastal area of Zanzibar, the Zalu Resort is a five star destination recently inaugurated and boasts the presence of a five star pool. The design needed to respect these characteristics: uniqueness, environmental integration, research of materials and technological quality. From this basis, a large surfaced pool, more than 750 sq m, in free form, was created that occupies a focal point in the resort. The internal lining of the pool is a sand coloured plaster and there are small ‘islands’ for relaxation paved with a wooden deck while Indian stone was the material of choice for the pool surround. Founded on more than four decades of excellence and innovation, the Big Blue Building Group with a 50 plus team raises the bar for sustainable and outstanding water leisure projects.Big Blu Building GroupTel. +39 0577 740280www.bigblu.it
Inside Out Winner in the category for indoor commercial pools, this outstanding dual pool project by StarPool, at the Charme Hotel Saynoara, enjoys spectacular views of the Dolomite mountains at Pale di San Martino. The indoor recreational pool and whirlpool is built on two levels separated by a waterfall overflow and surmounted by a connecting bridge in steel and glass. An external whirlpool is equipped with six hydro-massage positions and a rolling cover. All functions such as dosage control on this project are automated and regulated by a digital control box that allows the recording and control of ideal pool parameters. Based in Trento Italy and founded in 1975 as a prefabricated pool importer, Star Pool has developed into a major player in the pool and wellness market and now can boast a 3,000-strong project list. StarPool Tel. +39 0462 571 881 www.starpool.it
Modern History This award-winning project at Cascina Cavallina di Sopra, Covo, winning the category for Outdoor Residential Geometric Pools, began with the client’s desire to upgrade a part of a rural complex on the property. The design choices throughout this project reflect the historical context of the property yet also manages to offer a contemporary feel. Next to the new colonnade, made of pillars in stainless steel and wood, is a medium sized overflow pool. Servicing the pool are two underground plant rooms and the platform above the water is in teak. This architectural team was established in 1998 as an experimental studio for all scales of projects. The practice has evolved into a multi-disciplinary team with a reputation for successfully combining the traditional with innovative design. Massimiliano Gamba Architect Tel. +39 0363 987581 www.massimilianogamba.it
Light Fantastic Located in Bergamo and featuring a geothermal heating system, the white columns and wooden deck frame this pool, winner of the Indoo r Residential Pool category at the recent Italian pool awards. The coloured lights were chosen for maximum effect to create a relaxing atmosphere with a combination of four lamps that illuminate the pool and supplementary lights on the ceiling. An aquatic relaxation area is made up of a circular seat and 12 inlets for lumbar massage. Based near Bergarmo, FM Studio is a classy design and build team that provides a top drawer turnkey pool building service. FM Studio Tel. +39 (0) 35 667140 www.fm-studio.it
Rich Accessories Located in San Gregorio di Catania, this pool, created by Politec of Catania, winner of the Outdoor Residential Pool category of the recent Italian Pool Awards, was styled on the nearby villa. Even in its free form, the pool maintains a certain regularity and symmetry. It is richly accessorised and equipped with double access steps on two sides, hydro-massage, waterfall emptying into a connecting lateral pool with ornamental fountain. Specialists in the fields of water parks, holiday venues and health clubs, a quarter of a century dedicated to creating outstanding swimming pools, has earned the Politec Systems team a reputation for using only the best materials and working to the highest standards to create aquatic works of art. Politec Tel +39 (0) 95531820 www.politecimpianti.it
