The Edge - Quarter 4, 2008 - (Page 21)

PROJECT FOCUS | by Ron Derven BUILDER: Nirvana Pool & Spa LLC, Mount Laurel, New Jersey, was formed in 2005 by a group of highly experienced industry veterans. The business has expanded every year since, and today it is building 25-28 pools and spas ranging from 300 square feet to 4,000 square feet. Nirvana is a high-end design-build fi rm focusing on residential and commercial pools and spas and outdoor living environ- ments. The company’s market includes all of New Jersey, Eastern Pennsylvania, Northern Delaware and some parts of New York. Nirvana also acts as a consultant, designing and then overseeing the construction of pools and spas in other locations. For example, it is currently doing a job on the island of St. Thomas, and recently completed projects in Puerto Rico; Clearwater, Florida; and the island of Anguilla. These jobs have come by word of mouth from satisfied customers; in fact, 80 percent of Nirvana’s work comes from referrals. PROJECT PARAMETERS: The customer’s residence was on a heavily wooded sloped lot that dropped 40 feet. Although the property offered dramatic views, it had only a small, flat backyard before the beginning of the steep slope. The driveway came around to the back and there was a door in the garage that exited to the backyard. Although the homeowner wanted a pool, he was not sure if one could be built in this location and, if it could be built, he was concerned about the cost. Nirvana evaluated the site and determined that a pool could be built there—and within a budget acceptable to the homeowner. The company brought in a soils engineer to test the soil in the backyard and on the slope: excellent soil with no fill. Nirvana then developed its design concept for the job: it would cut away a portion of the slope to create a shelf of earth. On the shelf, the builder would construct a structure similar in size and scope to a basement of a house with four walls. Nirvana would then fill in the interior area and construct the swimming pool on top of the foundation. The pool would have a vanishing edge of about 900 square feet that would rise from the foundation to the same level as the basement of the house. The pool, sitting atop the foundation, would be free standing on the slope at about a 30-ft distance from the small backyard. The sides of the pool facing the downhill slope would be the dramatic spillway for the vanishing edge and run about 60 linear feet. Water would drop into a catch basin 10 feet below the pool. With a dramatic drop-off beyond the basin, homes below the pool see water spilling over ledger-cut stone. At night, the moving water is lighted for dramatic effect. The other two sides of the pool would be connected to the house and backyard with a deck made of a composite material. Glass railings were specified that would protect users, but not interfere with the dramatic views. Another alternative for connecting house and pool would have been to build retaining walls and backfill the area around the pool, but that would have been extremely costly. The basement has 10-foot finished ceilings. Therefore, on entering the house from the main entrance in the front, which is one story above the basement, guests looking out at the pool are about 11 feet above the pool. Standing on an existing deck at the main level there is a beautiful view of the pool deck and vanishing edge pool below and the trees and view beyond. CHALLENGES: “It was an amazing project,” said TJ Prizzi, managing partner of Nirvana “We worked throughout an entire year on that pool. We started in August 2005 and went all of the way through the winter and it was completed in May 2006. We are an aggressive pool building firm. We work all year around, even through the snow and cold. We will put tents up and heat the tents as needed to keep the job moving.” THE EDGE 21

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of The Edge - Quarter 4, 2008

The Edge - Quarter 4, 2008 Contents The President’s Message New Pool/Spa Federal Safety Act Worried About the 2009 Market? Treating Hot Water? Project Focus The 411 on UV Disinfection for Pools and Spas The Advantages of Seeding Aggregate Surfaces Pool and Spa Industry Wins Gold Choosing a Retirement Plan To Get Best Coverage at Lowest Cost - Shop Now Index of Advertisers

The Edge - Quarter 4, 2008

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