Natural Pool Build Workshops

Award-level natural pool construction taught inside real builds — led by Aqua Vitae

Natural Pool Build Workshops are immersive, small-group construction programs conducted on active professional build sites. Participants learn how high-end natural pools are actually designed and built — not in classrooms, not through DIY experimentation, but inside real projects, guided by professionals operating at the highest level of the field.

Training is organized into three tiers (Foundations → Build Immersion → Master Builder Intensive), allowing beginners, serious DIY builders, and experienced professionals to enter at the appropriate level — and, for those who choose, progress toward full professional capability within a rapidly growing, hands-on, AI-resistant construction specialty.

For Property Owners
If you’re a property owner interested in creating an Aqua Vitae–level natural swimming pool, we also offer a limited Workshop Hosting Program. Hosts receive a fully engineered pool built using our proprietary methodology, with structured workshop participation integrated into the project.

Jump to Hosting details →

Workshops currently offered in Portugal & the U.S. on selected professional natural pool projects.

Led by Aqua Vitae

Aqua Vitae Build Workshops are conducted by Aqua Vitae, an international collective of designers, builders, and ecological specialists focused on natural swimming environments and regenerative water systems.

The collective brings together over 25 years of professional experience in high-end natural pool design and construction, with methods developed through long-term field practice, technical innovation, and direct apprenticeship with early pioneers of the natural swimming movement.

Aqua Vitae workshops are taught on real professional sites, with real constraints, sequencing, and decision-making. This is not a demo build or a DIY simulation — it’s training inside live projects, with safety and build integrity protected by design.

Aqua Vitae Natural Pool Education is a tiered learning system designed to teach natural swimming pool design and construction at increasing levels of depth, responsibility, and technical complexity.

Rather than compressing everything into a single workshop, the program is structured to allow participants to enter at the level that matches their goals — from foundational system understanding, to hands-on build immersion, to advanced professional training.

Each tier has clear learning outcomes, defined constraints, and appropriate environments, ensuring both educational quality and build integrity.

Learning Tiers

Our Learning Tiers:

• TIER 1 — Foundations | Natural Pool Systems

A conceptual course to build real understanding.

• TIER 2 — Build Immersion | Wetland & Liner Systems

A calm, hands-on construction experience.

• TIER 3 — Master Builder Intensive | Advanced Foundations & Stonework

Deep professional training for advanced systems and civil builds.

Natural pool construction is a specialized, fast-growth field driven by increasing demand for sustainable water features and ecological design. As traditional construction markets shift, hands-on ecological builders with deep technical understanding are rare and increasingly sought after. This shift creates a clear opportunity for individuals to enter a highly future-proof, skill-based field rooted in physical systems, site knowledge, and real-world execution — work that cannot be automated or abstracted away.

Many participants come for a single workshop, while others choose to pursue the full training pathway — progressing from foundations, to build immersion, and for some, into professional-level mastery.

Completing all three tiers — and optionally combining this training with consultation experience — provides the knowledge, judgment, and confidence to work on real projects independently, or to contribute as a skilled practitioner in this emerging sector. For individuals considering a career pivot, entrepreneurial path, or expanded trade capability, this program offers a structured, credible, and differentiated education.

A Professional Pathway & Long-Term Opportunity

TIER 1 — Foundations: Natural Pool Systems

This tier is designed to give you a deep understanding of the core principles behind natural pools — before you ever step on a site.

• Delivered as a premium recorded course
• Understand natural pool types, system choices, and trade-offs
• Learn filtration logic, landscape integration, and design decisions
• Clarify expectations and avoid costly mistakes

Who this is for: Anyone curious about natural pool systems, homeowners planning a build, designers, or contractors transitioning into eco-systems.

Outcome:
By the end of Tier 1, you will think like the designer, not just watch a build. You will know:
• How natural pools differ from traditional pools
• The major filtration strategies and when to use them
• How design choices affect cost, function, and longevity

Enroll in TIER 1 →

TIER 2 — Build Immersion: Wetland & Liner Systems

This tier is a hands-on immersive workshop run on real job sites. You will build a wetland system and learn the core construction skills of natural pool builds.

• Liner preparation and installation
• Wetland edge construction with stone and planting
• Water movement principles and plant integration
• Real pacing — learn without overwhelm

Who this is for:
DIYers who have completed Tier 1 or equivalent conceptual understanding, and want real build experience.

Outcome:
Walk away capable of building a functional wetland or pond with confidence, understanding how to scale those skills to liner pools and small system builds.

Enroll in TIER 2 →

TIER 3 — Masterclass Master Builder Intensive

For those pursuing a professional path or deeper structural work, Tier 3 is an advanced, gated experience with extended exposure to complex systems and civil-grade construction.

• Concrete + hybrid systems
• Heavy equipment sequencing
• Structural logic + professional judgment
• Project decision making in high-complexity builds

Who this is for:
Professionals, experienced builders, and serious participants who have completed Tier 2 or have equivalent field experience.

Outcome:
Participants will gain professional-level skills and judgment, and be able to lead natural pool projects from planning through execution.

Apply for TIER 3 →

Systems Electives & Project Support

In addition to our structured tiers, we offer optional elective workshops to support specific skills:

• Naturalistic Design | Theory & Application — 1 day

• Stream & Waterfall Building | Layout & Installation — 1 day

• Advanced Filtration | Plumbing & Filtration Design — 1 day

• Lighting Systems | Underwater & Landscape — 1 day

• One-on-One Consultation Sessions | Personalized project reviews and design adaptation support — hourly

These electives allow you to refine the parts of the process you care most about, without taking on entire extra tiers.

Explore Electives & Consults →

Workshop Pricing & Availability

Workshops are scheduled around active natural swimming pool builds. Each workshop is tied to a specific project, location, and timeframe. Availability is limited and varies by build.*

Spring 2026 — Coastal Portugal

Custom residential natural swimming pool

TIER 2 Workshop | Small group

2-Day Hands-On | Available spots: 6

Tentative dates | May 2-3 | May 12-13

Includes:

Two days of guided build immersion
Instruction on wetland construction, liner systems, stone placement, and biological integration
All materials used during instruction
Hosted on-site lunch each day
Coffee, water, and breaks

Price: €890

Optional Upgrades:

Private room accommodation (2 nights): + €280
Accommodation is optional. Participants may also arrange their own lodging nearby.

Status: Accepting expressions of interest

Participation is limited to six places. If you would like to be notified when dates and registration are confirmed, you may leave your email below.

Tiered Workshops:

TIER 1 — Foundations (Recorded Course): €99
TIER 2 — Build Immersion (2 days): €890
TIER 3 — Master Builder Intensive (1-2 weeks): €2,990+

Optional electives (in-person, scheduled around builds):

Naturalistic Design | 1 day | €490
Stream & Waterfall Building | 1 day | €490
Advanced Filtration | 1 day | €450
Lighting Systems | 1 day | €450
Private Consultation | remote | €250/hour

*Workshops are tied to live construction projects and dates may shift slightly based on site conditions. Travel and accommodation are not included. Master Course programs are announced separately.

Pricing

Availability

Autumn 2026 — Coastal Portugal

Larger estate-scale natural swimming pond

TIER 2 & TIER 3 Workshop | Medium group

5-Day/10-Day Hands-On | Available spots: 12

Tentative dates | Sept 14-18 | Sept 21-25

Includes:

Five/ten days of guided build immersion
Instruction on wetland construction, liner systems, stone placement, and biological integration
All materials used during instruction
Hosted on-site lunch each day
Coffee, water, and breaks

Price: TIER 2 €1990 | TIER 3 €2,990-€4,490

Optional Upgrades:

Private room accommodation (5 nights): + €680
Accommodation is optional. Participants may also arrange their own lodging nearby.

Status: Accepting expressions of interest

Participation is limited to six places. If you would like to be notified when dates and registration are confirmed, you may leave your email below.

For Hosts & Resorts

An award-level pool, built at reduced cost, with lasting value

Hosting an Aqua Vitae Build Workshop allows selected property owners and resorts to receive a signature Aqua Vitae natural pool while supporting a high-level educational program.

This is not a public workshop.

It is not an open construction site.

And it is not a volunteer build.

It is a professional project with an integrated educational component.

What Hosts Receive

Host sites receive:

• A fully engineered Aqua Vitae natural pool

• Built using our proprietary civil-grade methodology

• Supervised construction at all times

• A reduced project cost (typically 10–20%)

• Optional professional documentation of the build for educational and reference use

• Alignment with an award-recognized design collectiveBuild quality is never compromised.

Workshop participation is structured around the project—not imposed on it.

How Workshops Integrate into the Build

Participants assist only with:

• tasks appropriate to experience level

• work that would normally be performed by general labor

All critical construction phases remain under direct professional supervision. This mirrors how professional crews already function—without introducing risk.

Why Hosts Choose This Model

Hosts often choose this program because it provides:

• significant cost savings

• a distinctive, high-profile project

• educational and cultural alignment

• long-term durability beyond typical “natural pond” builds

The result is not a workshop pool. It is a signature Aqua Vitae pool.

Selection & Availability

Host projects are selected carefully and limited in number.

Aqua Vitae typically conducts:

• one to two host programs per year

This maintains quality, focus, and scheduling integrity.

Is This a Fit?

The Host Program is ideal for:

• eco-resorts

• retreat centers

• educational properties

• private estates with long-term vision

It is not a fit for:

• rushed timelines

• purely cost-driven projects

• public or uncontrolled construction environments

Interested in Hosting a Workshop?

Hosting opportunities are discussed directly and tailored to each project.

Discuss Hosting Your Property

Please fill out the form below. We will reach out to you to discuss possibilities.