Swim before you buy: Auckland’s new pool experience

Written by

24 July 2024

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4 min read

Including a pool in a project is a significant investment, often filled with uncertainties about the final look and feel of the finished design. One company that sought to solve this dilemma has unveiled an innovative answer and a New Zealand first: a pool showroom where you can "swim before you buy."

Auckland-based pool supplier and installer The PoolHouse recently transformed the pool shopping experience by introducing an immersive catalogue: a pool showroom where you can "swim before you buy."

Chris Connors, Managing Director of The PoolHouse, explains the origin of his innovative concept. “The idea came about when I had a challenging experience buying a pool, which ultimately led me to acquire The PoolHouse business [previously known as Aqua Technics],” says Connors. “I saw a significant opportunity to improve the business, especially around simplifying the marketing and showcasing of pools in the industry.”

A state-of-the-art swim showroom

Connors drew inspiration from other industries that embrace a ‘try before you buy’ mentality. “As consumers, we have moved into this 'try before you buy' mentality – you would usually test drive a car before purchasing or trial TV streaming services before subscribing with confidence,” says Connors. “So, I thought, how can we showcase pools and pool products like this?”

The answer was to create a state-of-the-art pool centre that features 11 styles of fibreglass pools across the brand’s five core colours. “This is how we envisioned doing things differently,” remarks Connors.

The PoolHouse outdoor showroom presents itself as a ‘live catalogue’ featuring the brand’s fibreglass pools installed, filled and even landscaped. “Each pool is landscaped with different finishes, such as tiling, water features, pool fences and diverse types of decking,” says Connors. “This allows homeowners and specifiers to visualise what the pool looks like.”

Taking the live catalogue experience one step further, The PoolHouse showroom offers a remarkable, immersive experience evocative of luxury destinations. “It feels like the Hamptons or Palm Springs, but right here in Auckland. You enter the showroom and can swim in your prospective pool,” says Connors.

“The customer experience is at the heart of what we do, so we wanted a unique approach where people can come out and try before they buy. That's the idea behind the display centre, and it's beautiful. You can come out, have a drink, and splash around in the pool with your family. It's a great way to swim before you buy,” says Connors.

Catering to diverse needs

The PoolHouse pool designs cater to a wide range of consumers, from families to retirees, with pools to fit various lifestyles and spaces. “There are a lot of families that come in with young children who want to recreate the memories they had as children,” says Connors. “But there's definitely retirees after a smaller pool for their backyard that might want it heated to swim all year round and improve their mobility – there's so much variety to choose from in shapes, sizes, palettes and landscaping.”

Connors continues, "We supply pools for small backyards to lavish country estates and have a style to fit most projects, which specifiers appreciate.

“As an example, we are currently working on high-end projects in Tara Iti and Te Arai, through to smaller plunge pools in Central Auckland, and everything in between,” Connors adds.

The PoolHouse's new showroom.

Complete pool installation

In addition to showcasing pools, The PoolHouse has curated a list of relevant suppliers for pool-related accessories and services. “We have compiled a list of relevant suppliers for pool covers, fencing, landscapes, synthetic lawns, you name it,” says Connors. “When customers visit the pool centre, they can see which company has supplied the tiles, decking or fencing. Customers can then contact the suppliers directly if they want to purchase similar materials for their own design.”

The PoolHouse offers a complete installation service, ensuring a seamless experience. "We have an installation team that manages the entire process from start to finish. Our goal is to provide an all-in-one and customised service experience," says Connors.

"We conduct a site visit to assess the surrounding area, safety requirements and design features. After that, we provide a quote and recommend preferred suppliers. This efficient process ensures that our customers feel fully supported.”

The PoolHouse has redefined the pool shopping experience by creating an immersive perusing experience. This innovative ‘swim before you buy’ approach, combined with exceptional customer service and a comprehensive range of products and services, ensures that purchasing a pool is as enjoyable and stress-free as possible. Whether you are looking to create family memories or add a desirable landscape addition to your next project, The PoolHouse provides the ideal solution.

Visit The PoolHouse Centre showroom at 27 The Concourse, Henderson, Auckland or view the extensive range of The PoolHouse pools on ArchiPro today.

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