New Owner/Builder Pool - Northern CA

djcagle · May 9, 2016

My wife and I have been discussing a pool for several years now and have decided to proceed. I have been following the threads on this site for several weeks getting ideas and learning. I am in contact with a local pool builder who has over 25 years experience and has offered to help with design and consultation throughout the build. Our plan is to work with several designers (landscape and 2D plot, 3D design with rock). Once design is complete we will pursue quotes from subs and move forward with construction during fall/winter. I have attached some preliminary/ incomplete designs I have been working in Google sketch up. Also attached is a plumbing diagram I was going to propose to my designer.
Any comments / feedback is welcome.

Specs:
~750-800 sf (including cave)
3.5' to 5.5' deep
Large waterfall features
Hidden cave

FYI, this is my first post. Bare with me as I learn.

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Texas Splash · May 9, 2016

Looks to be a very nice project. Welcome to TFP! :wave:

Marlahoutex · May 9, 2016

That looks like a huge pool!

azdesertpool · May 9, 2016

Very interesting project! Is the hidden cave a true cave, or will it be open to the air on the back side? I can't tell from the pictures if it is fully enclosed (first picture) or it the rocks merely separate it from the rest of the pool. Either way, you might want to spend extra time figuring out how you are going to clean and circulate the water between the hidden cave and the rest of the pool if there is only a narrow opening between the two.

djcagle · May 9, 2016

The plan is to have a fully enclosed cave with narrow entrance through pool. I will revisit my preliminary plumbing design to consider better circulation. May need directional jets to push debris from cave floor out to main pool and consider the cave skimmer to be integrated with main pool pump. Thanks for the feedback. This is a unique design and i need to be sure it is feasible and everything has been considered.
Thanks

djcagle · May 15, 2016

As I wait for my professional designs I have been continuing to work my design in Google Sketch up.

needsajet · May 16, 2016

Wow, that looks very creative and will be an exciting project. Welcome to TFP!

The layout got me thinking about brushing the pool and keeping the rocks clean. I think it can all be done for sure, but if it were me, I'd consider cleaning when choosing location, shape and type of rocks. I can imagine some good parties at your future pool!

mgmoore7 · May 16, 2016

Wow, looks like a great project. What is the overall length?

djcagle · May 18, 2016

This design is about 42-45' long. I anticipate reducing the overall size shown in this picture from 840sf to ~750. Does anyone know a artificial rock specialist/designer/artist in the Northern California region? Or southern Ca?