“A spa can be an attractive feature even when not in use,” says architect Michael Ruegamer. “We often use them to break up the surface of a pool.” The water from this spa slides evenly over a flush edge creating a gentle waterfall. The pool and spa share a single filtration system, but the spa has a separate heating element. Coral stone edges extend to the terraced decking and up onto a 40-foot-long veranda. The porous stone is naturally slip resistant and evocative of the nearby beach.
In the temperate climate of Hilton Head, S.C., Ruegamer often encounters clients who want a spa as part of their pool experience. These homeowners wanted the spa to be accessible to everyone in the house, but also wanted to enjoy a touch of seclusion from the beach. Indigenous plantings provide seclusion but don’t block views to the ocean. Builder: McKenna Construction, Hilton Head, S.C.; Architect: Group 3, Hilton Head; Pool contractor: Year Round Pools, Hilton Head; Photographer: Brian Vanden Brink.
