| 79 T T Kelly Deeks Soaring to great heights The Greenhouse pool, winner of Best Concrete Pool and Spa Combination, is built on the eighth floor of an Auckland apartment building, POOL INDUSTRY Alfresco Pools North-west Auckland family business Alfresco Pools has made a splash on both sides of the Tasman, winning nine awards at the 2025 New Zealand Swimming Pool and Spa Association (SPASA) Awards of Excellence, including three of the industry’s most coveted titles – Best Concrete Pool, Best Concrete Pool Builder, and Business of the Year. It was the company’s biggest year of awards to date, with owners Tim and Karla Hall describing the recognition as a career highlight. “We won everything we entered this year, which was pretty epic,” Karla says. “To come away with the three major awards, plus take the national stage against the Australian winners and still come out on top with our Legacy Pool project, was just incredible.” Founded in 2007, Alfresco Pools has built a reputation for technically complex and beautifully finished concrete pools. The SPASA wins cap off a run of challenging projects completed in 2023, including a lagoon-style family pool, a rooftop penthouse pool, and a high-spec urban retreat. The standout winner – the Legacy Pool – pushed the company’s expertise to new heights. Measuring 20 by 30 metres, the oneof-a-kind lagoon includes a 20-metre hydroslide, a three-metre jumping rock with a rock pool on top, waterfalls, a lazy river with two speeds, spa pools, and a beach-style splash pad entry. “This was by far the most complex project we’ve ever undertaken,” Karla says. “We had to spray 160 cubic metres of concrete in a single day, manage excavation depths of nearly four metres below sea level, and design a custom hydraulic filtration system with 16 pumps. It was an enormous planning and engineering effort.” The pool also incorporates a 15,000-litre retention tank, extensive solar heating, and fully automated water feature controls. “It’s a once-in-a-lifetime type of project – I don’t think there’s anything like it in New Zealand or Australia,” Karla says. Another highlight was the Greenhouse pool, winner of Best Concrete Pool and Spa Combination. Built on the eighth floor of an Auckland apartment building, the rooftop pool and spa required craning materials up the side of the building, pumping concrete eight storeys high, and fitting plant equipment into a space no bigger than a cupboard. The sleek design features mosaic tiles, acoustic and leak-proofing systems, and a fully automated slatted pool cover concealed beneath the waterline. Thanks and praise from Alfresco Pools go to Ockham Construction, which was building the Greenhouse Apartments alongside this pool build. Closer to ground level, the Urban Cascade pool showed Alfresco Pools’ flair for refined design. Finished in elegant travertine stone, the pool was re-engineered mid-project to create a flush water level and paired with a raised spa, transforming an inner-city backyard into a minimalist oasis. For Tim and Karla, the wins are not just about prestige but proof of the company’s values. “Almost all of our work comes from word of mouth, and we keep our team small so we can guarantee quality,” Karla says. “Tim’s attention to detail and our hands-on approach with every client means we can take on these technical projects and know we’ll deliver.” Aqua Clear is making pool ownership easier, more energy-e icient, and more enjoyable for Kiwi homeowners, and its products are helping pool builders win some of the industry’s top awards. The company was a key supplier to Alfresco Pools, which swept the 2025 New Zealand Swimming Pool and Spa Association (SPASA) Awards of Excellence, taking home nine titles. It was the company’s biggest year yet, and Aqua Clear’s advanced pool technology played an important role in supporting that success. Managing director Mike Brunt says Aqua Clear’s focus has always been on two things: energy e iciency and ease of ownership. “Our products are designed so pool owners can spend less time maintaining their pools and more time enjoying them,” he says. Founded more than 30 years ago by Mike’s father, Aqua Clear has built a reputation as a trusted supplier to the swimming pool and spa industry. Mike himself has worked in the industry since he was 13 years old, and today he continues to lead its drive for innovation and quality. Among its standout products is the Aqua InverJet SwimJet System, which transforms an ordinary backyard pool into an endless lap pool. Powered by inverter technology, the system produces a smooth, adjustable current that mimics open water conditions. With whisper-quiet operation and easy installation, the InverJet caters to everyone from elite athletes to those seeking gentle rehabilitation or low-impact exercise. “Swimming is one of the best all-round workouts,” Mike says. “With the InverJet, you’re no longer limited by the size of your pool. It turns a pool into a year-round itness and wellness zone.” Aqua Clear’s range also includes automatic backwash valves for self-cleaning pools, advanced chemical control systems, energy-e icient heat pumps and gas heaters, LED lighting, and automation technology. Together, these solutions can cut running costs by as much as $180 a month, giving pool owners a fast return on investment while reducing environmental impact. Mike says Aqua Clear partners closely with forward-thinking builders such as Alfresco Pools, who are quick to adopt new products. “They have high expectations, and so do we. We’re always looking for innovative solutions that add real value to the pool experience.” Whether building a new pool, upgrading an existing one, or creating a bespoke water feature, Aqua Clear provides products and support that have helped thousands of New Zealanders get the most out of their water playgrounds. “We’ve always stood behind what we sell, and our commitment to quality and service has kept us at the forefront of the industry.” Innovation Driving Award-Winning Pools Highest Quality Swimming Pool & Spa Pool Equipment, Knowledge & Service. +64 9 273 4103 WWW.AQUACLEAR.CO.NZ • Swimming Pool Automation • UV Sanitisers • Inverter Pool heat Pumps When you need equipment for a spa, you’re upgrading a pool or creating a water feature masterpiece, Aqua Clear are the trusted suppliers for swimming pool pumps, heaters, lights, filters and lots more.
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