How you and your family will use the pool are personal considerations that are factored into the design.

Are you building the pool to swim laps or for family fun?

How you and your family will use the pool are personal considerations that are factored into the design. Are you building the pool to swim laps or for family fun? Does the family have children? Will the pool be used for diving? Are you planning to include a spa?

Natural factors include the size and shape of your lot. The terrain of your lot and the maximum sun angle are also important natural factors.

Technical factors include whether your home is on a sewer line or septic tank. The location of easements and rights-of-way (both above and below ground) for gas, water, phone and electric service must also be considered. 

The following article illustrates how Artistic Pools uses these factors when designing a pool. It was originally published in "Peachtree Magazine, The Guide to the Civilized South."

The sun is shining, it's 90 degrees, the nearest beach is four hours away, and you're thinking, "if only I had a nice cool pool, my life would be perfect." If this aptly describes a summer day-in-the-life of you, Ron Coker is the man you need to see. Mr. Coker, president of Artistic Pools in Atlanta, specialized in designing out-of-the-ordinary pools in unique settings, much as his firms' name implies. "We designed one pool in the north Georgia mountains that was on the side of a cliff. (Because of the terrain) we had to build it as an out-of-ground free-form design with wood decking around it," he says.

Mr. Coker tries to put the topography of a site to use as much as possible. For example, a hilly yard can be a plus when designing a pool, allowing the use of elevated spas and waterfalls. But at the same time, it can be a hindrance if a certain shape or size is desired.

Terrain is not the only factor that Artistic Pools takes into consideration when designing their world-class pools, however. "The needs of the customer dictate what we do. We try to blend their ideas with our ideas to come up with a design that will work both economically and aesthetically," he says.

It was Artistic Pools that designed the Governor's Mansion pool about a decade ago. The pool was to be simple and elegant, but not elaborate, so as not to detract from the mansion itself. To achieve that effect, they used Virginia brick around the pool to match the brick of the mansion. As decking they used pea gravel, small beige-color stones, so that it would blend well.

Artistic Pools uses a variety of materials when building. The pools themselves are almost always made of gunite construction with a marcite finish. But, as for the deck, you can pretty much have your pick - from limestone to slate to marble.

Mr. Coker and his associates can grant just about any wish you may have regarding pools. For the fitness-oriented, they can build a pool for doing laps or water aerobics. For the more relaxed customer, they can build a simple pool with an adjoining spa, so to enhance even more the flavor of your fine wine. (Of course, you'll want exotic wildflowers placed ever-so-sparingly around the grounds, too.) Whatever you want - as long as the area, and your budget, will allow.

About 75 percent of Artistic Pool's work is residential. Prices may range anywhere from $40,000 to $250,000 plus, depending on how elaborate you want it to be.