At Horsley Townsend, we are architects specialising in swimming pool design and construction, providing our services throughout Greater London.

A swimming pool can create an exceptional addition to a home, but successfully incorporating one into a property requires careful architectural and technical planning. The right solution depends on the individual building, the space available, the characteristics of the site and, most importantly, what you want from the completed pool.

Our bespoke approach allows us to explore these considerations from the outset and develop a swimming pool design around your property and lifestyle.

From basement swimming pools to detached pool buildings, we’ll work closely with you to establish the most appropriate approach before developing the architectural design and coordinating the specialist expertise required to take the project forward.

Swimming Pool Design and Build Services

Adding a swimming pool to your home is an exciting opportunity to make more of your property, but swimming pool projects bring a different set of architectural and technical considerations from many other types of building work.

One of the first decisions is where the pool should go.

The answer isn’t necessarily obvious. Depending on the property, a swimming pool might be incorporated into a basement, accommodated within an extension or positioned within a separate pool building.

Our role is to help you explore these possibilities and understand which approach is best suited to your property.

We’ll work closely with you throughout the process, from establishing your requirements and considering the location of the pool to developing the architectural design, planning the project and coordinating the specialist input needed as the scheme progresses.

Finding the Right Location for Your Pool

The location of a swimming pool can have a significant influence on the success of the project.

Rather than approaching every property with the same solution, we’ll consider the opportunities available and how the pool could relate to the existing house.

Different properties can lead to very different architectural responses.

Basement Swimming Pools

For some London properties, a basement can provide an opportunity to incorporate a swimming pool within the footprint of the home.

A basement pool is a specialist project and requires careful consideration from the earliest feasibility stage. The architectural design needs to respond to the characteristics of the existing property while allowing the requirements of the pool itself to be successfully integrated.

Our experience of basement swimming pool projects enables us to consider these requirements as part of the overall architectural design rather than treating the pool as a separate element.

Detached Pool Buildings

Where the property and available space allow, a detached pool building can provide an alternative solution.

This creates an opportunity to design a dedicated building around the pool and associated spaces while considering how the new architecture relates to the main house and its surroundings.

The position and appearance of the building therefore form an important part of the design process alongside the practical requirements of the pool.

Pools Incorporated Into Existing Properties

Where appropriate, we can also explore ways of incorporating a swimming pool into an existing property.

This requires careful consideration of the existing building and how the new pool area will connect with the rest of the home.

Rather than simply finding enough physical space for a pool, our aim is to create an architectural solution that feels considered as part of the property as a whole.

Our Swimming Pool Design Process

Our swimming pool design service begins with an initial meeting.

This is an opportunity for us to understand what you have in mind, how you intend to use the pool and any particular requirements you have for the finished space.

You don’t need to arrive with every decision already made. Part of our role is to help you explore the possibilities presented by your property and begin establishing the most appropriate direction for the project.

We’ll discuss potential locations for the pool and consider options such as a basement pool or detached pool building where relevant.

These early conversations allow us to begin developing a project brief around your individual requirements.

Feasibility and Early Planning

Before developing a swimming pool project in detail, it is important to establish whether the proposed approach is appropriate for the property.

Every project requires careful planning and feasibility work. The issues that need to be considered will depend on the particular building, site and proposed design.

Looking at these considerations early allows the project to develop from a more informed starting point and can help identify potential constraints before the design has progressed too far.

Where planning permission or other relevant consents are required, we can guide the project through the appropriate stages and coordinate additional specialist advice where necessary.

Developing Your Bespoke Pool Design

Once the brief and initial feasibility work have been established, we’ll begin developing the architectural design in close collaboration with you.

The design process considers the pool as part of the wider property rather than simply as a standalone feature.

This can include its position within the building or site, its relationship with surrounding spaces and how the architecture of the pool area responds to the existing property.

As the design progresses, ideas can be reviewed and refined before the project moves towards the more detailed technical stages.

Visualising Your Swimming Pool

Understanding a design from architectural drawings isn’t always easy, particularly if you haven’t undertaken a building project before.

We use CAD design software as part of the development of our swimming pool projects, helping us explore and communicate the proposed layout and design.

This gives you an opportunity to understand how the scheme is developing and discuss different aspects of the design before construction begins.

The objective isn’t simply to present a finished idea, but to use the design process collaboratively so that the final proposal reflects the requirements established in your project brief.

Planning a Swimming Pool in London

Depending on the property and the type of swimming pool being proposed, planning considerations may form an important part of the project.

A basement pool, alterations to an existing building and the construction of a detached pool building can each present different considerations.

Rather than assuming the same planning approach will apply to every property, we’ll consider the individual circumstances of your project and guide you through the relevant process.

Our wider experience also includes swimming pool projects in sensitive locations, including Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, where the relationship between the proposed development and its surroundings requires particular consideration.

Energy and Environmental Considerations

A swimming pool has specialist servicing and energy requirements, so these considerations should form part of the wider project discussions rather than being left until the end.

We can discuss green energy options with you as the design develops and coordinate with the relevant specialists where their input is required.

The appropriate approach will depend on the design of the pool, the property and the technical requirements of the project.

Considering these issues alongside the architectural design allows the different elements of the scheme to be developed in a more coordinated way.

Working With Specialist Engineers and Contractors

Swimming pool projects require expertise beyond architectural design alone.

We work with engineers, contractors and other specialists who have the skills required to develop and construct swimming pool projects.

Bringing the appropriate specialists into the process allows the architectural and technical requirements to be coordinated as the project develops.

Our role is to retain an overview of the design while working alongside the different professionals involved in turning the proposal into a completed swimming pool.

From Design to Construction

As the project progresses from initial ideas to detailed design and construction, the level of information and specialist input required increases.

Maintaining continuity throughout this process is particularly valuable on a technically demanding project such as a swimming pool.

We can remain involved as the design develops and work with the engineers, contractors and other consultants required during the later stages.

This means the decisions made during the initial architectural design can continue to inform the project as it moves towards construction.

Bespoke Swimming Pool Architects in London

No two properties – and no two swimming pool projects – are exactly the same.

A basement pool within an existing London property presents different opportunities and constraints from a detached pool building, which is why we don’t begin with a predetermined solution.

Instead, we’ll start by understanding your property, your aspirations and how you would like to use the pool. We can then explore the available options and develop an architectural approach appropriate to the individual project.

From initial consultation and feasibility through bespoke design, planning and specialist coordination, Horsley Townsend can help you develop your ideas into a carefully considered swimming pool project.