Westchester County NY Inground Swimming Pool Wins 2013 “Best Design”
Mahwah, NJ (PRWEB) November 07, 2013 -- On October 18th, 2013, the Northeast Spa and Pool Association (NESPA) held its annual awards dinner, where it paid tribute to the accomplishments of custom pool builders from New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Connecticut. This year alone, more than 200 qualified applicants applied for NESPA’s prestigious swimming pool design awards, yet only a few honors were bestowed to the candidates that exhibited ingenuity in the design and construction of their pools. Cipriano Landscape Design of Bergen County NJ took home the “Best in Competition Award” among other honors, for their outstanding luxury pool in Westchester County, NY, which is becoming known throughout the industry simply as “The Violin Pool.”
The idea behind “The Violin Pool” developed when Cipriano Landscape Design was approached by a homeowner that wished to combine his fondness for both collecting and playing the violin, with his desire for an inground swimming pool. The idea then formulated of a swimming pool that would be an exact replica of a 1700’s era Stradivarius violin. Cipriano Landscape Design’s architectural plans thus included all of the most pertinent characteristics of a violin, which include strings, the chinrest, a bow, a tail piece, f-holes, purflings, and a bridge.
The violin pool as a whole was finished in nearly half a million translucent glass tiles. Conventionally, the gradient color blend of glass tiles only transition in one direction when working from a centerline. In order to add a stunning and distinctive approach to the violin pool’s glass tiles, Cipriano Landscape Design’s landscape architecture division devised a way for the glass tiles in the violin pool to transition in every direction. In order to manage this notable outcome, Cipriano’s landscape architects collaborated with the tile manufacturer to number the glass tile sheets from 1-15, based on the glass tile’s specific gradient transition. Cipriano’s architects then mapped out every single sheet of tile on the pool floor using an Auto CAD, so that the tile transitioned steadily from the center of the pool to each of the complexly angled walls of the pool.
The “strings” of the violin are comprised of jet-black glass tiles, which are interlinked with 5760 pieces of fiber optics. During the day, the “strings” provide a beautiful color contrast to the rest of the pool’s glass tiles, as well as delineate the lap lanes. Once dusk arrives, the fiber optics in the strings light up captivatingly, and continue to define the lap lanes while simultaneously putting on a lighting pageant.
The design of the fiber optic strings was also very complex, and in order to achieve the finished result, each of the 5760 fiber optic strands was laced through the glass tile finish. Accomplishing this feat while still preserving the surface attraction of the glass tiles was extraordinarily difficult, but the gleaming finished product rendered it quite a worthy undertaking.
In an effort to illuminate the rest of the pool at night, Cipriano’s Landscape Architecture office designed a fiber optic rope lighting detail, which illuminates the entire boundary of the violin pool. This 350-foot fiber optic rope lighting was developed specifically to be countersunk within the pool’s coping, in order to render it invisible to those swimming in the pool during the day.
The homeowner’s keenness for koi, further led to the development of the “bow” of the violin which is represented by two koi ponds, and which intersects the neck of the violin pool. The view of the koi ponds from surrounding pool area are stunning, as the ponds were designed with several platforms which boast lily pads, water irises, and other aquatic plants. The view of the ponds from within the pool itself are just as beautiful, as transparent acrylic panels give the swimmers a clear view of the fish filled ponds. Once the sun sets, this beautiful view is enhanced on all levels by the 250 fiber optic star lights spread throughout the interior of the koi ponds.
Integrating the acrylic panels proved to be extremely challenging, as the installation process required the simultaneous efforts of several distinct professional builders, which had to be precisely coordinated in order for the panels to be properly fitted. After the forms were established, the steel reinforcement was installed. Following the steel the concrete was shot to create the window casings, after which waterproofing measures were installed. Finally, the tile and pond finishes were separately applied. All of these components required detailed planning on behalf of Cipriano’s Landscape Architects.
One of the most spectacular features of the violin pool is the “chinrest,” which is planned as a 12-person perimeter overflow spa. Aside from providing the ultimate relaxation experience, the spa, finished in jet-black glass tiles further increases the pool’s visual beauty. The fact that it is a “perimeter overflow” spa, simply means that the spa projects the illusion that the water it holds is perpetually pouring out over the edges, both into the main pool and the patio stone on its outer edge. In actuality however, the water is being gathered in unnoticeable troughs that re-circulate the water back into the spa.
Other features that this dynamic pool boasts include an automated controls system, which gives the homeowner the option of controlling all of the pool and landscape functions from his iPhone, from any point around the world. The pool further contains an underwater surround sound music system, a 1,000,000 BTU heater to ensure year round use, and a Riverflow Jet System, which creates a current that is strong enough to swim, or even kayak against.
The violin pool is guaranteed to make jaws drop due to its technological innovation, and its unique design. The violin pool also won NESPA’s “People’s Choice Award,” the Gold Award for “Glass Tiled Pools,” and the “Exceptional Recognition for Design and Build Award.” This is Cipriano Landscape Design’s second “ Best Pool Design Award” their last one was in 2007 for a vanishing edge pool in Saddle River NJ.
Celebrating over 24 years in business, 14-time international award winner Cipriano Landscape Design distinguishes themselves from all other swimming pool & landscaping companies with their extensive experience. The Mahwah, NJ company provides more than just a pool installation. As a recognized national leader in custom residential & commercial landscaping, masonry, swimming pools and water features, the NJ firm has been offering complete estate transformations since 2001. With a design office headed by 15-year-veteran, Certified Landscape Architect William Moore, the Cipriano team has won 75 awards of excellence since 2006 and in 2013 was named By Pool And Spa News to the “Top 50 Pool Builders.”
For more information, please visit: http://www.njcustomswimmingpools.com.
Chris Cipriano, Cipriano Landscape Design, http://www.plantnj.com, +1 (201) 785-0800, [email protected]
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