The Shawnee Luxury Retreat is an extravagant, large-scale resort pool for residential clients in Shawnee, Kansas. Construction on the sprawling backyard space occurred in tandem with the French Country-inspired home. The home’s foundation had been determined by the architect and home owner but significant grade changes around the home presented a challenge to a pool design. From the back lanai to the edge of the property was a grade transition of over fifteen feet. Early on, we established a retaining wall at the back edge of the site that set the stage for every other aspect of the design. The retaining walls artificially raise the grade and afforded us the opportunity to create a sprawling pool without any limits.

The home owners were originally from Las Vegas. Having seen Vegas’s grand designs, they wanted a fairly sizable pool and were adamant about amenities, a spa, beach entry and infinity edge. In the design phase, the catch basin shifted to become a 2nd lower tier pool. Additionally, a pergola structure that matched the wood features as seen in the home was added to the design and most significantly, a fire feature was added. The fire feature became the fulcrum of the design–the recessed fire feature was centrally-located in the design and the beach entry and pool spin off of it. While in the recessed fire pit, the views are eye level with the pool water level and highlight the infinity edge.

The same slush/brush stone that’s outside the home are featured on the infinity edge wall, on the pergola walls and exterior spa. The palette of colors is warm and earthy.