Neiman Pool Project

Designed in a collaborative effort between Artisan Pools and Paul Gilbertson of Renaissance Construction Company, this backyard transformation was inspired by the client’s vision of a mini resort at home. We began by reimagining the space with an open-air, sleek layout reminiscent of a favorite restaurant in Baltimore, MD.

The design featured a swim-up bar with a kitchen galley, a spacious spa, and a custom rock grotto complete with a slide. Radial pool lines were carefully drawn to offset the linear structure of the outdoor kitchen while complementing the curves of the grotto. Faux boulders were also placed throughout the space to create a cohesive, more natural transition into the grotto.

The grotto itself became a true joint effort. After completing the main pool shell, we began shooting the grotto in place with shotcrete, using a combination of dry and wet mixes for structural integrity. Revolution Gunite of Burlington, NC assisted with the dry-mix portions, and REED equipment was used throughout construction. Ryan Oakes of Clearwater Construction Group (now Water Forge) led the grotto and cave concept, with Dan Pitts of Ocean Rock Art consulting. Stone sculptor and rock climber Peter Oakley then shaped and carved the outer face of the faux rockwork, which was later hand-painted to achieve a natural, lifelike appearance. Faux stone steps were incorporated into the design to lead guests to the slide perched above.

Located on the Outer Banks in a high-storm zone, this backyard transformation also included 750 tons of concrete and steel, so we worked closely with Kitty Hawk Engineering to ensure our construction drawings, completed by Pillar Design Studios, were sound on every structural detail. This included the wooden pilings and structural concrete slabs needed due to the area’s natural soil composition.

Despite the added challenges of building during the COVID-19 pandemic, our team was able to deliver a resilient and beautifully engineered space. Designers on the project included ourselves (Artisan Pools NC), Pillar Design Studios, and Clearwater Construction Group (now Water Forge), with Renaissance Construction serving as the general contractor. Materials were supplied by Revolution Gunite and C&L Concrete Works. Finishes and equipment included PebbleSheen, Hayward equipment and ColorLogic lighting, as well as AquaStar, Blue Square Eclipse, and Waterco components.

The result of our work is not only a true resort-style escape, but also a thoughtfully engineered, artistically crafted, and durably built pool that is made to stand strong on the coast!

Materials Used:

Hayward ColorLogic Lighting
PebbleSheen
Hayward, AquaStar, and Blue Square Eclipse, equipment
Waterco, multicyclone centrifuges

Partnerships (in alphabetical order):

Clearwater Construction Group (now Water Forge), grotto design and implementation
C&L Concrete, concrete mix
Kitty Hawk Engineering, engineered plans
Ocean Rock Art, grotto design and consultation
Pillar Design Studios, construction drawings
Renaissance Construction Company, general contractor
Revolution Gunite, dry-mix application
Revolution Pool Finishes, PebbleSheen application