Dream Pool Project, Staffordshire

Completed by Rob Faulkner from Abstract Pools, this stunning pool room and associated facilities was completed at a domestic property in Staffordshire.

A very labour intensive project, the first problem Rob faced was the very high water table on the land. This meant the pool shell had to be continually pumped and pool walls had to be doubled in thickness from 200mm to 400mm before being screeded with ARDEX A 18 and ARDEX A 38 screed, rendered with and sand:cement render and tanked with an ARDEX S 7 Plus flexible waterproof coating.

Rob also hand build the steam room with cement-coated foam tile backboards and former the showers, massage room and stunning changing rooms in-laid with mosaic features and niches. All designed by Rob in collaboration with the client.

A stand-out element of the project is the amazing 3D effect feature wall of Irish Blue tiles from Rockfort running the length of the pool hall with in-built fountains.

Tiles were randomised in thickness and size – ranging in thickness from 20mm to 50mm to provide the 3D effect. They also feature white in-laid fossils, creating a unique natural element.

An extremely complex fix, it required Rob to re-design the wall so the larger format tiles were fixed so the fountain cuts fell on a full tile. Because of the height and the weight of the tiles, they were mechanically fixed in conjunction with ARDEX X 7 tile adhesive.

Another beautiful element of the project is the steam room, changing rooms and massage room tiled Ezarri Alexander mosaics – a blend of shiny mosaics specially designed for cladding interiors, swimming pools, spas, saunas and wellness.

Fixed with ARDEX X 77 Flexible Standard Set Tile Adhesive, the mosaics were grouted with ARDEX FLEX-FL Flexible Rapid-Set Tile Grout to provide a perfect finish.

Pool surround, massage room, steam room, experience showers, changing room and plant room floors were tiled with 1200x600mm Greenwich Park structured porcelain tiles fixed with ARDEX X7 and grouted with ARDEX FLEX-FS Flexible Standard Set Grout.

As well as the tiling and internally builds, Rob and his team also installed a white stretch ceiling over the pool hall with colour change LED lighting. Stretch ceilings in the steam room, massage room and changing room with colour change LED lighting.

“This was an absolutely dream project to work with, despite the intricacies of the job and the high labour intense elements to bring the project to completion,” said Rob.

“Thankfully the client – a very wealthy private individual – was also delighted with the project which gives him a superb space for entertainment and relaxation.”

For more information on ARDEX adhesives grouts and how they can help your project, get in touch with the ARDEX Specification Team or ARDEX Sales Team.