Dive in: 6 swimming pools at ease with their surroundings

The ultimate backyard upgrade and a veritable essential during the scorching Australian summer, a pool can serve as a source of relaxation, a place to socialise, and a means to survive the heat.

However, the best swimming pools do more than simply serve as a way to cool down. A far cry from the utilitarian, rectangular pools of yesteryear, swimming pools of today fit cohesively into their surroundings, complementing the home’s design aesthetic rather than disrupting it. Many pools are also designed in tandem with landscaping plans, incorporating lush greenery and entertaining spots to create outdoor rooms that are just as enticing as their indoor counterparts.

From natural pools to iterations that lean into the utilitarian aesthetic, these striking swimming pools are some of our favourites.

A pool that’s completely at ease with its surroundings, H20 Squared lets nature take the lead. While above-ground pools can often feel jarring, the dark large-format external tiling paired with a stacked stone wall and strategic landscaping provide H20 Squared with a relaxed ambience. A pathway leading up to an outdoor sitting area contributes to the overall room-like feeling of the space.

While those in challenging sites may resign themselves to summer without a pool, savvy solutions make it possible to enjoy a dip in the water in even the most precarious locations. For an oceanfront property perched atop a heavily sloped site on St Andrews Beach, a Shipping Container Pool provides the ideal solution with an industrial-chic aesthetic.

“This 12m pool was built for a customer who had dreams of owning a lap pool and knew the challenges with regards to her slope, site and conditions of her surroundings being based next to the ocean,” Shipping Container Pools co-founder and CEO Jonavan Roux explained to ArchiPro. “A massive crane was organised to lift the pool across the roof of the customer's house and into location.”

Proving smaller pools can still exude style, the pool in Lagoon House mimics the curved form of the Ironwood batten screening next to it. Both the pool and the adjacent structure protrude to the same length, creating a sense of balance despite the asymmetry.

This pool comprises part of an outdoor room that belies its small size. Taking on a clean, contemporary aesthetic, the courtyard-sized pool complements the grey Bluestone paving and walling surrounding it, while leaving enough space for relaxation areas. The addition of a feature wall at the end of the pool helps the space feel well rounded, while smatterings of low-maintenance plantings soften the stone- and timber-laden landscape.

A traditional bright turquoise pool would be at odds with a dark, moody home. Annie Street Residence takes on a monochromatic rectilinear form, with stark whites unflinchingly juxtaposed against moody charcoals. The pool in this north-facing backyard takes its cues from the house; clad in pale grey concrete, the rectangular pool changes colour with the light, taking on a dark tone as night falls.

Words by Tanisha Angel