The English name of the infinity pool sounds like “the infinity-edge pool”, and it is also called the “landscaped”, “endless” or “boundless” pool. It is hard to believe your eyes: it seems that water has no boundaries and merging with the horizon goes to the infinity. Having plunged into the water, people experience a slight feeling of pleasant anxiety – you have an illusion that a step toward “infinity” will inevitably lead to the abyss.
The location of similar facilities on hillsides or on the top floors of skyscrapers contributes to strengthen this effect. Looking at the infinity-edge pool, you couldn’t see anything but a perfectly smooth and a sparkling surface of the water. Does the water flow directly into the gorge from the top of a mountain or on city street from the roof of a skyscraper?
Of course, no. This is a very powerful, impressive illusion which was created thanks to the complex engineering solutions.

An infinity-edge pool in the architecture

The story goes that the first time the technology of creating “endless” pools was used for the construction of the fountains on the territory of the Palace of Versailles in France in the distant XVII century. There is another version, according to which the infinity-edge pool was invented on the island of Bali in Indonesia.
Today you can see the infinity-edge pool only in the most expensive places on the planet. Many exotic resorts have adopted this idea and successfully impress their exacting guests by this architectural solution.
Infinity-edge pools are needed not only for swimming – their main task is to create stunning, fantastic, extraterrestrial atmosphere amid the bustling city life or a peaceful natural environment. Particularly harmonious look of infinity pools, the edges of which go deep into green plains and ocean landscapes. Pool dissolves in the ocean, natural landscape or celestial expanse. A man, falling into infinity, feels almost magical effect of this illusion.

So look infinity-edge pools against the backdrop of the ocean:

 

It seems like people are able to walk on water:

And this is an infinity-edge pool, which is built on the background of gorgeous natural landscapes – mountains, canyons, slopes, hills and cliffs:

Skyscrapers with infinity-edge pools proudly tower over bustling cities:

Infinity-edge pools are often built in the most unusual and sometimes dangerous places. Such disposition which allows to increase the effect of infinity, requires a special approach to the design of the object. Requirements for strength and safety are more than difficult – each technological solution is coordinated with the geological characteristics of the area.
The complexity of building an infinity-edge pool is higher in comparison with traditional pools. It is connected with necessity of installation of complex water recirculation systems. If to all the above we add a work on creation of original design, high cost of an infinity-edge pool will become quite understandable. They are really expensive, luxurious and unique objects in its properties, which are built very rarely in the world. Infinity-edge pools are not only the most beautiful but also the most reliable. The complexity of the design and installation pays for itself by the durability of the pool.

Design features of the infinity-edge pool

In the manufacture of such objects the overflow pool is the basis, where the water table is at the same level with the floor of the room. The board of the infinity-edge pool that visually goes to infinity, is located a few centimeters below the water level. The “endless” edge can be located on one side of the pool and on its perimeter. The sides of the pool almost invisible, so the water surface merges with the prospect.

The constant movement of the water through the system is due to the presence of the overflow wall. Water flows down a special drain gutter into the sump, after which it enters to the filter system. The sophisticated filtering system allows you to maintain the purity of all the layers of water, especially in the upper layer, where the water is extremely susceptible to contamination. After disinfection and filtration the water is re-circulated into the pool through nozzles located in the bottom of the pool evenly across its surface. Water does not freeze in the air, and constantly moves through the system by performing many cycles of the recirculation. The water layer above the board of the pool has a minimum thickness, but it can be seen only on closer examination. From afar, this little secret of the pool is absolutely invisible.
The construction of the swimming pool requires additional space to accommodate the overflow tank, filtration equipment, piping systems and other important components. A technical room is located below the water level. Here additional container is set in which water flows by the gravity from the intake tray.
If in small pools the volume of the overflow tank is not more than 10 per cent of the total volume of water, for large objects a tank should hold up to 20-30 percent of the water to compensate the possible ripple effect (bursts and forced excitement of water during operation).

The infinity-edge pool with a glass wall

The effect of infinity can be played in another way: by means of transparent acrylic panels. From a distance, the acrylic board pool is seen hardly, so the water surface allegedly freezes in the air and merges with the surrounding landscape.

The glass board is transparent, so, unlike the opaque wall of the traditional infinity-edge pool, it makes the picture even more complete and impressive. Through the transparent glass it is easy to see the surrounding panorama. The additional equipping of a pool by a glass bottom greatly increases the attractiveness of the architectural object.

This stunning effect can not ensure no one technology, besides the technology of glazing PoolGlass pools. To swim in the pool and at the same time to “soar” over the ocean, mountain or gorge, crowded metropolis – what can be better?

We have seen that the mystery of the infinity-edge pool has a very earthly explanation. But after seeing this pool, you do not want to unravel the secrets of its design and to understand the illusion of the infinity. You just want to enjoy the fascinating view and to believe in a little in miracles.