Designer/Installer: Bret Shallenberger, Owner/President
Firm: Nxt Gen Fiberglass Pools & Spas, New Braunfels, Texas

 What the judges thought: The pool’s unique shape, in addition to the tanning ledge and multiple flowing waterfeatures, created a comfortable backyard relaxation spot.

Customized Look: The homeowner was a bit skeptical about choosing a fiberglass pool for her new backyard waterscape because of the predetermined selection of shapes and sizes. But she was completely on board once Bret Shallenberger explained how he could customize it to her specifications. The design started out with a lagoon-style pool customized to include a tanning ledge, and a raised spa was added. Water flows from the ledge and spa into the pool. The result is an aquascape that makes perfect sense for the space and use. “There was no set initial design,” Shallenberger says. “We created as we built. [The homeowner] trusted me.”

But First: Before the crews could get started with construction, they first had to remove a large wooden deck that was covering an old, empty vinyl-liner pool that had been out of commission for years. The old pool was filled in and the new construction began in a different part of the backyard. The foundation of the backyard was even raised so that patrons could enjoy the pool and patio while still taking in the lakefront views.