POOL & COURTYARD STUDIO Plan your pool
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StillreachProcess

THE STILLREACH METHOD

Begin with
what’s there.

A pool starts with the yard: where the light falls, what you see from the house and where you already like to sit.

A pool plan with stone, timber and ceramic samples on a dark studio table.
Study table / limestone, oak and olive tile

FROM FIRST SKETCH TO HANDOVER

Four decisions
that shape the work.

  1. 01

    Read the site

    What should the yard keep?

    Walk the route from the house to the yard. Record sun, shade, grade, access and the details that already work.

    YOU LEAVE WITHSite notes and a list of constraints

    Sample site notes

    SITE WALK / CYPRESS ROOM

    Keep
    Mature trees on the north edge and the view from the house.
    Check
    Side yard access, drainage and the canopy to protect during work.
    Design around
    A narrow swim footprint and a separate seat in afternoon shade.

    Illustrative studio document

  2. 02

    Set the waterline

    Where should the water stop?

    Test the pool footprint against circulation, dry seating and planting. Agree on the layout before choosing finishes.

    YOU LEAVE WITHConcept plan and scope

    Sample concept plan

    CONCEPT STUDY / CYPRESS ROOM

    PLANTED EDGEWATERSHADE
    Concept plan / Not to scale
    Decision
    Keep the planted edge deep and put dry seating at the end of the water.

    Illustrative studio document

  3. 03

    Resolve the details

    Does the scope fit the project?

    Choose the materials together. Confirm the technical scope, site requirements, cost and sequence before construction.

    YOU LEAVE WITHDefined scope and project proposal

    Sample scope outline

    SCOPE STUDY / CYPRESS ROOM

    In scope
    Pool, entry steps, limestone coping and covered seating.
    Separate decision
    Whether to extend the terrace to the house.
    Confirm before pricing
    Access, grading, drainage and equipment location.

    Illustrative studio document

  4. 04

    Build and hand over

    How will you care for the space?

    Coordinate the work from pool to surrounding courtyard. Walk through finishes and care once everything is ready to use.

    YOU LEAVE WITHWalkthrough and care information

    Sample handover guide

    HANDOVER NOTES / CYPRESS ROOM

    Walkthrough
    Review pool controls, shutoffs and access for service.
    Keep on file
    The finish schedule, equipment manuals and care instructions.
    Follow-up note
    Record any care questions to review with the installer.

    Illustrative studio document

THE FIRST CONVERSATION

Come with
an idea.

Start with one thing you want to change about the yard and one thing you want to keep.

A survey or photos can help later. For the first brief, your town and what you want the space to do are enough.

Make a project brief