This small new build swimming pool near Andover began with a deeply personal brief. For many years, the client and her husband had enjoyed an above-ground pool in their garden, assembling it each summer and packing it away at the end of the season. Following her husband’s untimely passing, she wanted to create a permanent in-ground pool that would be easier to use, easier to maintain, and a lasting reminder of something they had both loved.

The garden offered only a modest footprint, but the client had a clear vision for how she wanted to use the space. The pool needed to be suitable for aqua aerobics, relaxing with a drink, sitting with her feet in the water, or simply floating peacefully on a lilo. Rather than trying to maximise the pool’s size, the focus was on creating a compact design that complemented the existing garden and supported her lifestyle.

The pool was constructed using solid concrete blocks with smooth rendered walls and a screeded sand and cement floor, creating a durable and high-quality structure.

To achieve a bright, inviting finish, Harlequin installed a Plain Coral Aquaflex bag liner, while Tumbled Fossil Pearl copings were selected to blend naturally with the client’s colourful, characterful garden.

The plant equipment included a sand filter and a 6kW heat pump, providing efficient, straightforward operation for a compact domestic pool.

Construction took place during the Covid restrictions of 2020, requiring additional safety measures throughout the project. Access also presented significant challenges, with a steep driveway and very limited working space around the pool, meaning every stage of the build had to be carefully planned and managed.