Concrete pool elevated 4m off the ground finishes this contemporary villa in the trees in the Languedoc National Park
“There was only one realistic solution and that was to build the pool off the ground.”
This dramatic elevated concrete pool in the Herault was the final touch to a contemporary villa built in the tree line.
Renosud had designed and built the villa near Lamalou-les-Bains the year before and we were asked to add the pool. The existing house was raised 4m off the ground at the rear elevation, the house being built on a concrete platform suspended on concrete columns. We wanted the pool to be accessible from the same living level terrace and did not want to place the pool at ground level. There was only one realistic solution and that was to build the pool off the ground.
A simple box but robust engineering
Raising a pool off the ground is simple in theory, but requires careful execution and engineering skill. And of course, a very experienced contractor. The pool itself is a structural concrete box, raised on concrete columns. The pool terrace is cantilevered off the pool structure with clever rebar configuration. We didn’t want to add further columns and wanted the terrace to feel suspended, so we had to stay within realistic limits for the cantilever, the terrace ended up 80cm wide. Easily wide enough to walk around safely and comfortably. A space below the pool became the secure pool equipment room, always a good idea to keep the equipment in close proximity to the pool itself.
Waterproofing the pool
The pool structure itself is reinforced concrete, hollow blocks filled with steel bars and liquid concrete. The configuration of the steel is critical [called rebar which is short for reinforcing bar]. The pool is not waterproof with only the concrete filled blocks. A further 3 x 10mm layers of specialist waterproofing mortars are added. Then the final finishing and tiling. It’s a specialist skill using expensive high performance products.
If required, a surface preparation coat [Sika Mono Top]
Final waterproofing [Sikalastic] a one component cementitious mortar, fiber-reinforced for flexible waterproofing and concrete protection
High -performance, over-banding joint sealing and crack waterproofing system [Sikadur-Combiflex® SG System]
Tile adhesive - [SikaCeram®-230 Mosaic] ultra white, self-grouting, powder adhesive for glass mosaic
SikaCeram® StarGrout - Two-pack tile grout, based on epoxy resin with quartz aggregates and special admixtures
Sikasil® Pool Neutral-curing, silicone sealant
The result is a spectacular pool and quite unlike anything in the area. Dramatic, with incredible views and floating in the trees.
