Vanishing Edge Swimming Pools
A vanishing edge pool is a swimming or reflecting pool that produces a visual effect of water extending to the horizon, vanishing, or extending to “infinity.” The term also is used to describe perimeter overflow pools (pools that may be on level parcels, wherein the water flows over one or more edges, usually flush with the decking elevation). One type of location in which the effect is particularly impressive is where the infinity edge appears to merge with a larger body of water such as the ocean, or with the sky (if the pool is located on the side of a hill or field of green).
Vanishing edge pools are often seen at exotic resorts and exclusive estates, in advertisements and in other luxurious places.
Vanishing edge pools are very expensive and require extensive structural, mechanical (hydraulic engineering) and architectural detailing. Since they are almost always built in precarious locations (cliffs, mountain tops, beach fronts, etc.), sound structural engineering is paramount. The structural engineering must be based upon the geological conditions prevailing at the site. A geotechnical report is commissioned prior to the commencement of the structural engineering. The high costs of these pools are often found in the foundation systems that anchor them to the hillsides.