Pools Where Architecture, Materiality and Landscape Unite

From Dubai to Ibiza, these pools show how proportion, texture and setting can elevate water into a true design statement

By House & Garden South Africa | December 26, 2025 | Category design

A study in proportion, materiality and setting, these pools illustrate the art of transforming water into design.

Stripe Appeal

In this Dubai villa, design firm Creating Homes designed a pool that epitomises glamour with a contemporary twist. The striking striped tiling is its defining feature, creating a bold visual rhythm that draws the eye toward the horizon. At its centre, a sculptural bonsai tree anchors the design — merging natural serenity with architectural precision. Surrounded by lush planting and expansive glass façades, the pool blurs the boundary between indoors and out, channelling the carefree allure of Beverly Hills with a dash of Soho House cool. This is a pool conceived not only for leisure but also as a statement of modern artistry. creatinghomes.com

Bold striped tiles and a sculptural bonsai anchor this Dubai pool, merging glamour with serene design

Bali in Dubai

For this bespoke villa, Creating Homes reimagined the pool as the anchor of this peaceful Dubai retreat. Inspired by Bali, the design emphasises calm, proportion and connection to nature. A pergola of pale timber slats filters sunlight into rhythmic patterns across the water. In contrast, built-in timber seating invites unhurried moments of stillness. Glass walls dissolve boundaries, ensuring the pool feels integral to the home rather than adjacent to it. Natural materials such as wood and travertine soften the contemporary architecture to create a balance between minimalism and warmth. The result is a pool that can offer leisure and daily practice in intentional living. creatinghomes.com

A Bali-inspired Dubai retreat, where timber pergolas, glass walls, and calm water create serene outdoor living

Rooftop Reverie

This rooftop pool by Cape Town’s Bone Studio shows how colour and pattern can transform a compact space into something extraordinary. Driven by tiling, bold stripes and a checkerboard backdrop create instant rhythm — while blush-toned walls soften the geometry with warmth. The palette is playful yet sophisticated, evoking the spirit of a Mediterranean courtyard with a contemporary twist. Layered with greenery in classic urns and finished with a sculptural fountain, the pool proves how balancing graphic surfaces with timeless accents can elevate an outdoor space — no matter the scale. bonestudio.co.za

Checkerboard tiling, bold stripes, and sculptural fountains turn this Cape Town rooftop pool into a playful oasis

Be Cool

Designed by Cape Town–based firm arrcc, this expansive pool is a seamless extension of the home’s bold modernist architecture. Geometric precision defines the layout, with crisp lines mirrored in the water’s edge and the striking overhead frame. At its centre, a floating deck with low-slung loungers creates both a sculptural focal point and a serene island for relaxation. Blue mosaic tiles add depth and contrast to the pale stone surrounds, while reflections of glass and steel blur the transition between interior and exterior. Here, structure and stillness meet in perfect equilibrium. arrcc.com

Geometric lines and a floating deck make this Cape Town modernist pool a perfect balance of structure and stillness

Heritage meets Modernity

This English countryside home demonstrates how tradition and modernity can sit side by side without compromise. The historic stone farmhouse is paired with a sleek new addition, where a stainless-steel pool and expansive terrace introduce contemporary clarity. ‘The goal was to create a unified and harmonious composition where old and new coexist naturally,’ says architect Ben Twells, director of SOTA Design. The careful transition lies in material choice and flow, where warm timber and soft planting bridge eras with ease. Sliding doors dissolve boundaries in summer, making the playful link between the bright changing room and the pool — a defining moment of joy. sota-design.com

Historic stone meets sleek stainless steel in this English countryside pool, blending old charm with contemporary design

An Ibizan Escape

For this sun-drenched villa in Ibiza, La Grange Interiors created a pool that celebrates both architecture and nature. The elongated rectangular form reflects the home’s crisp white geometry, while dark tiling gives depth to the water, which mirrors the sky and surrounding trees. Pale stone paving keeps the palette natural and cool underfoot, setting the stage for relaxed outdoor living. Hand-carved fish sculptures add a whimsical island accent, contrasting with the sleek lines, and pergolas, woven textures and cushioned loungers complete the scene. It’s a balance of elegance and ease in a pool designed for both reflection and long, languid afternoons. lagrangeinteriors.co.za

Crisp white geometry, dark tiling, and pale stone create a sun-soaked Ibiza pool that balances elegance with ease

The Two-Step

Jordana Maisie Design Studio has crafted a layered sanctuary where architecture, landscape and light converge in the Hollywood Hills. The terraced exterior unfolds in choreographed steps, leading gracefully to a serene pool that is both sculptural and inviting. ‘The stepped walls serve not only as visual markers but also as functional partitions that guide circulation and delineate distinct living zones,’ says Maisie. White stucco walls recall Mediterranean and Mexican traditions, while the geometric rhythm nods to Mexican architect Luis Barragán. Lush planting softens the bold forms to result in a tranquil retreat that celebrates proportion, perspective and the timeless glamour of Los Angeles living. jordanamaisiedesign.studio

Terraced walls, geometric rhythm, and lush planting make this Hollywood Hills pool both sculptural and inviting

Credits

Stefan Lindequ, Adam Letch, Renee Kemps, Elsa Young, Kort Havens

This article was originally published in the House & Garden Sept.oct 2025 Issue