Natural Pool Construction

A refined approach to building Natural Pools

At Aqua Vitae, we don’t just pour a shell and drop in equipment — we build living water environments. Our natural pools, ponds and lake-scale systems are constructed with over 25 years of hands-on experience, combining ecological understanding, robust structure, and carefully detailed finishes so the water stays clean without chemicals.

Every project is shaped by its site. From compact courtyard biopools to multi-level water landscapes, we coordinate excavation, structure, hydraulics, stonework, and planting as one integrated system.

Different projects call for different structural strategies. We offer three construction approaches—each aligned with a different set of priorities—executed to the same standards of craftsmanship, ecological performance, and material quality.

Construction Approaches That Match Design Intent

Tiered Construction Blocks

Essential Liner Construction

This approach uses a high-quality EPDM liner as the primary waterproofing system, paired with carefully prepared substrates, protective geotextiles, and refined edge detailing. Essential Liner Construction is ideal for clients who prioritize simplicity and efficiency while still benefiting from Aqua Vitae’s design discipline.

Signature Structural Pool

Our Signature Structural Pool incorporates reinforced structural elements — concrete walls, shelves, and crisp edges where strength and architectural definition are required. This system enhances durability and precision without moving fully into engineered containment territory.

Aqua Vitae Civil-Grade Construction

Our most advanced method separates structure from waterproofing entirely. A protected EPDM liner is placed behind reinforced containment structure, backed by geotextile protection and engineered drainage. This approach is designed for maximum long-term reliability, especially on complex sites or where you want the highest level of structural discipline.

Selecting the Right Construction Approach

Each approach is chosen intentionally—not by default.

The appropriate system is determined by site conditions, pool scale, design intent, long-term performance goals, and client priorities. During design and planning, we walk you through the options clearly, so the selected method matches both the vision and the realities of the site.

What makes an Aqua Vitae build Different

An Aqua Vitae pool is defined by integration: design intent, structure, hydraulics, stonework, and ecological performance developed together—so the final result looks calm, functions clearly, and holds up over time.

Key distinctions include:

• Experience rooted in natural systems
  Over 25 years of hands-on work in natural pools, ponds, and lake-scale water environments informs every design and construction decision we make.

• Bespoke construction, never templates
  Each pool is adapted to its site conditions, scale, and priorities—never derived from a catalogue or repeated detail set.

• Crafted stonework paired with engineered systems
  Masonry, edge detailing, and planting zones are developed in parallel with hydraulics and filtration—each calibrated to the pool’s volume, flow, and intended use.

• Filtration strategies chosen, not defaulted
  From planted regeneration zones and biological filtration to supplemental polishing systems, filtration is selected to match clarity expectations, maintenance preferences, and aesthetic goals.

• Comfort-focused hydraulics
  Circulation is designed to minimize dead zones and temperature layering, helping the pool feel balanced and consistent through the swim depth.

• Resilient, long-term thinking
  Where appropriate, pools can be integrated with rainwater strategy, fire-resilience planning, and purposeful features such as seating shelves, shallow lounging areas, waterfalls, and quiet zones—without compromising performance.

If you’d like a deeper technical overview, we provide a private one-pager during the design and proposal process.

Our Proprietary Construction Philosophy

Most natural pools are built like ponds.
Most modern pools are built like machines.

At Aqua Vitae, we build something different.

Our proprietary construction philosophy combines old-world mineral building traditions with modern swimming-pool engineering, adapted specifically for natural pools. The goal is to create water environments that look natural, swim comfortably, and remain dependable long-term.

Engineered longevity
We design with conservative, architectural-grade principles drawn from long-lasting water structures, prioritizing stability, durability, and disciplined execution.

Modern hydraulics, adapted for natural water
We apply proven pool-engineering concepts—circulation, skimming, drainage, and low-velocity returns—and refine them for chemical-free living water. This improves clarity, reduces stagnant zones, and helps maintain more even water temperature through the swim depth.

Mineral construction that belongs in the landscape
Rather than synthetic finishes or exposed liners, we favor mineral surfaces and stone integration that feel natural underfoot and visually improve with time.

Deliberate, thoughtful design
Every major decision is made with foresight and restraint. Nothing is added for novelty alone; each element serves a clear purpose within the overall system.

This philosophy defines our premium construction tier for clients who value longevity, comfort, and craftsmanship as much as aesthetics.

Natural in appearance.
Architectural in execution.
Designed to last.

Our Construction Process

Hydraulics, Filtration & Equipment

All equipment is specified for clarity, efficiency, and ease of maintenance—while return placement is designed to support comfortable circulation and more even water temperature through the swim zone. We install skimmers, returns, pipework, and equipment vaults, then integrate:

• Energy-efficient circulation pumps (e.g., AquaForte Eco)

• UV-C sterilisation (e.g., Blue Lagoon units)

• Biological filtration via wetland zones or compact biofilter modules

All equipment is specified for clarity, efficiency, and ease of maintenance.

What makes an Aqua Vitae build Different

• An Aqua Vitae pool is not defined by a single material, system, or feature — it is defined by how all elements are integrated and executed over time.

  Our work combines deep natural-pool expertise with disciplined construction methodology, allowing design intent, structure, and ecological performance to remain aligned from the ground up.

  Key distinctions include:

  • Experience rooted in natural systems
    Over two decades of specialized natural-pool work, including direct training with early pioneers in California, informs every design and construction decision we make.

  • Bespoke construction, never templates
    Each pool is adapted to its site conditions, scale, and long-term goals — not derived from a catalogue or repeated detail set.

  • Crafted masonry paired with engineered systems
    Stonework, edges, and architectural detailing are developed in parallel with hydraulics and filtration systems, each calibrated to the pool’s specific volume, flow, and use patterns.

  • Filtration strategies chosen, not defaulted
    From planted regeneration zones and upflow biofilters to supplemental UV-C systems, filtration is matched to clarity expectations, maintenance preferences, and aesthetic priorities.

  • Resilient, multi-purpose design thinking
    Where appropriate, pools may be integrated with rainwater capture, fire-resilience strategies, thermal mass, and multi-use features such as seating zones, shallow shelves, waterfalls, or soaking areas.

  For a deeper overview of our background and design philosophy, visit the About Us page.

We build the selected structural system with disciplined reinforcement, careful geometry control and long-term stability in mind—forming steps, shelves, walls, and edges to match the design intent and the chosen construction approach.Depending on the project, we construct either:

• A waterproof concrete shell (with structural steel and formed sides/shelves), or

• A liner-based system using compacted sub-base, gentle slopes and shelf geometry designed to work with EPDM or Bentonite Clay liner.

All structural elements are prepared for long-term stability and compatibility with the chosen liner or finish.

1. Site Assessment & Excavation

We begin by assessing the site: access, levels, soil, drainage, and how the pool will sit in the landscape. Excavation is then carried out to defined dimensions — setting the swim basin, plant shelves, and any wetland or filter zones. Depths, slopes, and transitions are shaped to match the agreed design.

Stone, Edges & Planting Zones

We place stone boulders, shelves, and edging to define the swim area, transitions, and planting zones. Where a more traditional look is desired, we build clean edges and terraces; for a natural style, we use stone and planting to create softer, organic edges. Wetland or filter zones are prepared with graded aggregates ready for aquatic planting.

Once construction is complete, we fill and commission the system — checking flow, balancing circulation between pool and wetland or filter modules, and ensuring all equipment operates correctly. Planting is installed, and the system is given time to stabilise. We walk you through operation, maintenance basics, and what to expect in the first season of living water.

2. Shell Build & Structure

Construction Cost Context

Because every Aqua Vitae project is designed and engineered in response to its site, scale, and intended lifespan, construction costs are not based on preset packages or fixed formulas.

Factors that influence cost include:

• Pool size and depth

• Site conditions and access

• Selected construction approach

• Stonework, detailing, and integration with surrounding landscape

Rather than anchoring expectations to a single example, we determine accurate pricing through design development and construction planning — ensuring that scope, method, and investment remain aligned.

To ensure the level of detail, craftsmanship, and long-term performance described above, Aqua Vitae projects begin at the following minimums:

• Natural Pools: €40,000

• Natural Pool Conversions: €15,000

• Natural Lakes & Large Water Bodies: Project-specific

These minimums allow us to dedicate the appropriate time, materials, and oversight required for enduring results.

Project Minimums

Your Dream Pool Awaits

If you are considering a natural pool and value thoughtful design, robust construction, and long-term reliability, we invite you to begin a conversation.

We work with a limited number of projects each year to ensure focus, clarity and execution at the highest level.

Fill-Up, Commissioning & First Season

Built for the Long Term

Natural pools are long-term investments — in landscape, ecology, and daily experience. How they are built matters as much as how they look.

At Aqua Vitae, construction is never separated from intent. Whether a project calls for refined simplicity or civil-grade redundancy, each pool is built with the same discipline, care and respect for water as a living system.

Our role is to ensure that what is designed can be built — and that what is built continues to perform quietly and reliably for decades to come.