Mid-Century Poolhouse & Cantilever Bar
This 1960s mid-century ranch home in the historic Hoosier Acres neighborhood in Bloomington, Indiana, is being lovingly remodeled to honor its mid-century modern glory. From the start, our clients made it known they wanted to create a backyard destination more accommodating for larger groups of friends and family to enjoy in the summer months. The clients expressed the need to fix the disconnectedness felt from the original pool and patio to the walk-out basement. They were seeking a thoughtful, highly curated pool house design that felt intentional and true to the home’s aesthetic and character. Bringing that level of detail into the build was a challenge we were eager to take on, and we’re grateful they trusted us to bring their vision to life.
DESIGN & BUILD PHASE
The design phase of the project brought several exciting challenges. The first being a need for shade and refuge from the sun. A new pool house structure, one that could be seen as something original to the home, became the focal point of the design. Secondly, a need for more usable concrete patio space for lounge chairs, a dedicated place for a future hot tub, a better connection to the walkout basement, and an easier path from the side yard to the backyard. And lastly, coming up with a clever way to better utilize the deep end of the pool. The new design for the existing deck and staircase expanded the footprint and was simplified to address accessibility concerns and improve the flow of this outdoor living space.
The new pool house features three key elements: a bar, a lounge area, and storage for pool equipment and patio furniture. The bar and lounge sit beneath a large, low-sloped roof with a “winged gable” overhang, which is an architectural detail borrowed from the main house. This mid-century modern form also helps block harsher southern sunlight than a typical overhang. This area is an open-air space, framed with breezeblock walls for privacy. To utilize the deep end of the pool, we designed a deck that cantilevers five feet over the water, creating a custom swim-up bar, a feature rarely seen in Bloomington backyard renovations. This structure becomes a swim-up bar with suspended barstools, giving guests a comfortable way to enjoy the deep end of the pool.
To echo the curved deck, the bar cabinets and stainless-steel countertops follow a rounded profile. The cabinets are inset beneath the countertop to create a discreet place for phones to charge, finished in the same mosaic tile used along the pool’s interior perimeter. The deck’s swooped edge was formed by heating the composite decking and shaping it to the desired curve.
POOL RESTORATION
Restoring the original gunite pool, which had been uncovered and empty for years, collecting rainwater, leaves, sludge, and deep tannin stains, required care and patience. It was a unique challenge, one we don’t typically take on, but we were glad to support our clients and put in the work to do it right. With little guidance available from pool-repair suppliers, our team dug into the research to identify the correct resurfacing product and the proper paint chemistry needed for a long-lasting finish. The weather created its own complications. To ensure painting and curing happened in a controlled environment, we built a fully framed structure over the pool, a water- and debris-tight enclosure with ventilation on both sides for proper airflow.
THE RESULT
The new design and structures complete the connection from inside to outside, and the outdoor spaces are more equipped to host larger gatherings. From design through construction, the experience with our clients has been incredibly collaborative and enjoyable. We loved the challenge, and we loved having the opportunity to push the limits of what we can do as a design-build company.
WORKSHOP DETAILS:
– Curved Cantilevered Deck
– Custom Ridge Beam Wrap
