Actual construction conditions encountered
The project combined a lake-facing pool, a large raised spa, a screen enclosure, a covered Elite Roof area, natural-gas heating and extensive water features within one residential site plan.
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Sarasota · Manatee · Charlotte(941) 366-6000
Project Case Study · Sarasota, FL
Sarasota Custom Pool: New Construction
Geometric pool with raised champagne spa, Pentair laminar deck jets, LED bubblers, StoneScapes Tropics Blue interior, travertine deck, and full Pentair automation. Complete construction photo timeline from design through completion.
Sarasota, FL
New Construction · 2021
Geometric · Pool + Champagne Spa · Screen Cage
Permitted · Licensed CPC1458354
About This Project
This Sarasota new construction project is a showcase of what Pool Creations delivers when a homeowner wants the full package: design, engineering, construction, and every feature that makes a backyard pool truly exceptional. The project began with 3D VIP3D renderings and a stamped engineering plan, and was completed in 2021.
The centerpiece is a raised champagne spa that seats 10 or more people, finished in a glass reflective series tile that glows at night when the accent up-lights illuminate it from below. The pool features a large sun shelf with LED bubblers and two umbrella holders, Pentair laminar deck jets that arc over the pool in color-lit streams, and a StoneScapes Tropics Blue interior finish with an ice blue iridescent and cobalt blue glass bead blend.
A composite Elite Roof section within the screen cage creates a shaded outdoor living area wired for ceiling fans and lighting. The entire system, pool, spa, jets, bubblers, heater, and lighting, is fully automated and controlled from a smartphone via the Pentair automation platform. The property has a natural gas connection, so a gas heater keeps the spa at temperature year-round.
The photo timeline below documents all 10 construction phases in sequence, from the initial design renderings through the completed project.
Scope of Work
- Full gunite pool and spa shell: geometric design with raised champagne spa
- Large sun shelf with LED bubblers and two umbrella holders
- Glass reflective series waterline tile (pool and spa exterior)
- Travertine coping and full travertine paver deck with raised deck elevation
- Aluminum screen cage with composite/Elite Roof section (wired for fans and lighting)
- Rough plumbing: return lines, suction lines, spa jets, and equipment runs
- Bonding and electrical conduit
- Pentair laminar deck jets with color LED lighting
- Gas heater (natural gas)
- Variable-speed pump, cartridge filter, and automation system
- Full Pentair automation: smartphone-controlled pool, spa, jets, bubblers, and lighting
- LED underwater lighting
- Spa accent up-lights illuminating glass tile from below
- Upgraded spa therapy jets: seats 10+ people
- Interior finish: StoneScapes Tropics Blue with ice blue iridescent and cobalt blue glass bead
- Irrigation system rerun and redesign
- Landscaping restoration: tropical palms, crotons, and ground cover
- Full permit management: Sarasota County
Field experience behind the finished work
Project Decisions and Results
These details explain what the team encountered, why key selections were made and how the documented project moved from site conditions to a completed result.
Material-selection reasoning
Reflective glass tile and spa accent lighting were selected to make the raised spa a nighttime focal point. StoneScapes Tropics Blue with iridescent and cobalt glass bead creates the intended water color, while travertine connects the pool, spa and elevated deck.
Permit or engineering complications solved
The work began with 2D plans, 3D renderings and stamped engineering. Sarasota County permitting coordinated the structural pool plan with the raised deck, screen enclosure, electrical, plumbing and natural-gas equipment requirements.
Project-specific outcome
The completed 2021 project delivered a large social spa, sun shelf, illuminated laminar jets, bubblers, shaded outdoor-living space and smartphone control of the full pool system.
Technical review: Pool Creations, Florida State Certified Commercial & Residential Pool/Spa Contractor.
Sarasota Pool Construction Photo Timeline
The photos below are organized in construction sequence: from the initial design renderings and pre-site conditions through layout, excavation, steel, gunite shell, plumbing, deck, screen cage, equipment installation, pre-plaster preparation, interior finish, and the completed project.
1
Design & Engineering
Every Pool Creations project begins with 2D overhead plans, 3D VIP3D renderings, and a stamped engineering print: so the homeowner can visualize the finished pool before a single shovel hits the ground. The engineering print details all structural specifications, equipment layout, and pool dimensions.
2D overhead design plan showing pool shape, spa placement, sun shelf, and deck layout.
3D rendering: front view showing the raised champagne spa, pool, and travertine deck.
3D rendering: rear view with house, screen cage, and lake backdrop.
Stamped engineering plan showing structural specifications, equipment schedule, and pool dimensions.
2
Pre-Site / Before Construction
The backyard before any construction began: a clean slate with a lake view that would become the backdrop for this custom pool and spa.
The backyard before construction: open lawn with lake view and existing landscaping.
3
Layout, Dig & Steel
Pool layout is marked out precisely according to the engineering plan. The Pool Creations crew arrives with excavation equipment to dig the pool shell, then the structural steel rebar cage is installed: the backbone of the gunite shell.
Equipment arrival: Pool Creations van and CAT excavators on site for layout and dig.
Excavation underway with laser level and forms set for the pool shell.
Structural steel rebar grid installed: the foundation of the gunite shell.
4
Gunite / Shell Placement
Gunite is pneumatically applied at high pressure over the steel rebar cage to form the pool shell. The crew shapes every surface, pool floor, walls, spa, steps, and sun shelf, in a single continuous pour. The shell then cures over several days before plumbing and deck work begins.
Gunite truck and compressor set up and ready for shell placement.
Gunite being sprayed at high pressure over the steel rebar cage.
Shell forming: spa walls, steps, and sun shelf taking shape.
Completed gunite shell: crew hand-finishing the surfaces before curing begins.
5
Shell Curing, Plumbing & Screen Cage Footer
While the shell cures, the crew runs all plumbing: return lines, suction lines, spa jets, and equipment runs. The screen cage footer trench is dug around the pool perimeter and filled with reinforced concrete to support the weight of the aluminum cage structure. The plumbing manifold is assembled and pressure-tested before any equipment is connected.
Shell curing: spa walls, steps, and sun shelf detail.
Shell curing: lakeside view showing the full pool and spa footprint.
Plumbing trenches cut through the deck area: return and suction lines being run.
Plumbing manifold assembled and ready for pressure testing before equipment is connected.
Screen cage footer: reinforced concrete poured around the pool perimeter to anchor the cage structure.
6
Travertine Deck & Glass Reflective Series Tile
The deck is laid with premium travertine pavers: a natural stone that stays cool underfoot in the Florida sun. The waterline tile is a glass reflective series, chosen for its depth of color and the way it catches and reflects light both above and below the waterline.
Travertine paver delivery: crated pallets staged for installation.
Glass reflective series waterline tile and coping being set.
Coping and tile installation progress: spa and steps visible.
Travertine deck complete: lakeside view.
Travertine deck complete: house side view showing the raised deck elevation.
7
Screen Cage & Composite/Elite Roof
The aluminum screen cage is erected over the full pool and deck area. This project also includes a composite Elite Roof panel section: a solid insulated roof panel that creates a shaded outdoor living area within the enclosure. The Elite Roof section was wired for ceiling fans and lighting, extending the usability of the outdoor space year-round.
Screen cage aluminum frame going up: lakeside view.
Wide interior view of the screen cage frame over the pool and deck.
Composite Elite Roof panels being installed: this section was wired for ceiling fans and lighting.
8
Equipment Installation, Landscaping & Irrigation
With the shell, deck, and cage complete, the equipment package is installed and connected. Simultaneously, the landscaping crew grades the surrounding yard, replants tropical palms and ground cover, and reruns the irrigation system: which must be relocated and redesigned after pool construction disrupts the original layout.
Equipment installation: cartridge filter, gas heater, automation system, and pump array connected and plumbed.
Landscaping crew grading the yard with a skid steer after construction.
Irrigation trench rerun: the irrigation system is redesigned and rerouted after pool construction.
Tropical palms, crotons, and ground cover planted along the screen cage perimeter.
9
Pre-Plaster Preparation
Before the interior finish is applied, the shell is thoroughly cleaned and acid washed to open the pores of the gunite surface for a strong mechanical bond. All penetrations, return lines, suction lines, light niches, and drain fittings, are sealed and masked. The pool is inspected and approved before the plaster crew arrives.
Shell acid washed and cleaned: all surfaces prepared for the interior finish application.
All penetrations sealed: return lines, suction lines, light niches, and fittings masked before plastering.
10
Interior Finish: StoneScapes Tropics Blue with Glass Bead
The interior finish is StoneScapes Tropics Blue: a premium pebble aggregate finish that delivers exceptional durability and a rich, natural appearance. This project includes a glass bead blend of ice blue iridescent and cobalt blue, which adds depth and sparkle to the finish as light moves across the water. The result is a surface that shifts from silver-grey to deep blue depending on the light and water depth.
StoneScapes Tropics Blue with ice blue iridescent and cobalt blue glass bead: wide view showing sun shelf, steps, and spa.
Interior finish detail: spa and raised beam showing the glass bead blend and glass reflective series tile.
11
Completed Project
The finished pool is a geometric design with a raised champagne spa that seats 10 or more people, upgraded therapy jets, and accent up-lights that illuminate the glass reflective series tile from below at night: making the entire spa glow. The large sun shelf features LED bubblers and two umbrella holders. Pentair laminar deck jets arc over the pool in color-lit streams that retain their light column at night, changing color with the automation system. The entire pool, spa, jets, bubblers, and lighting are fully automated and controlled from a smartphone. A gas heater keeps the spa at temperature year-round.
Full view of the completed pool: LED bubblers, Pentair laminar deck jets, raised champagne spa, and lake backdrop.
Pentair laminar deck jets arcing over the pool: lake view from inside the screen cage.
Side view of the completed pool: crystal-clear StoneScapes water, raised champagne spa with glass tile, and sun shelf with blue tile border inlays.
LED bubblers on the sun shelf and laminar jets operating: wide view of the completed pool and spa.
Sun shelf with LED bubblers, raised champagne spa, and glass reflective series tile: travertine deck surrounding the pool.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Pool Creations build pools in Sarasota, FL?
Yes. Pool Creations is an active pool builder throughout Sarasota County, including Sarasota city, Venice, Wellen Park, and surrounding communities. We handle all permitting with Sarasota County and have completed numerous new construction and renovation projects across the region.
What is a champagne spa?
A champagne spa is a raised spa design where the spa sits elevated above the pool deck, with the spa water spilling over the edge into the pool below. The raised walls are typically finished with premium tile, in this case, a glass reflective series tile, creating a dramatic focal point. This project's champagne spa seats 10 or more people and includes upgraded therapy jets.
What are Pentair laminar deck jets?
Pentair laminar deck jets produce a smooth, glass-like arc of water from the deck into the pool. Unlike traditional deck jets, laminar jets retain a solid water column that can be illuminated with color LED lighting: so at night, the water arc glows in whatever color you set through the automation system. They are fully controllable from a smartphone.
What is StoneScapes Tropics Blue with glass bead?
StoneScapes Tropics Blue is a premium pebble aggregate interior finish by NPT (National Pool Tile). It uses natural pebble aggregate for durability and texture. The glass bead upgrade adds a blend of ice blue iridescent and cobalt blue glass beads to the mix, which catch and reflect light underwater: giving the pool a shimmering, jewel-like appearance that shifts with the light and water depth.
What does the Elite Roof / composite roof section include?
The Elite Roof (also called a composite roof) is a solid insulated panel section built into the screen cage structure. Unlike standard screen panels, the Elite Roof provides full shade and weather protection for a portion of the outdoor living area. This project's Elite Roof section was wired for ceiling fans and lighting, creating a covered outdoor living space within the enclosure.
How long does new pool construction take in Sarasota?
Most new pool construction projects in Sarasota take 14 to 20 weeks from permit approval to final inspection, depending on project complexity, permit processing times, and weather. Pool Creations provides a detailed project schedule with every proposal and keeps homeowners updated throughout construction.
Does Pool Creations handle the irrigation and landscaping after pool construction?
Yes. Pool construction disrupts the existing irrigation system and surrounding landscaping. Pool Creations coordinates irrigation rerun and landscaping restoration as part of the project scope: regrading the yard, replanting, and redesigning the irrigation layout to account for the new pool footprint.
Ready to Build Your Sarasota Pool?
Pool Creations is Sarasota's local pool builder: licensed, permitted, and experienced with residential and community projects throughout Sarasota County. Call us or request a consultation.