We formed the gutter as part of the bond beam, which meant that our forming work was crucial to hydraulic performance. We plumbed the trough with a six-inch equalization line that flows via gravity into a six-inch trunk line that flows at an easy two-percent grade into the surge tank.

The view from the repositioned spa and adjacent deck allows those enjoying a good soak or just relaxing by the spa a perfect perspective on the rising planes of the home's architecture. The water sheeting over all those stone edges lends a sparkling quality to the surfaces while adding gentle sounds to the overal environment.

The edges for the overflow had to be dead on, of course, to ensure an even flow over the edge, but the limestone caps also had to line up with a decorative grid pattern that extends into the concrete decking beyond. This required some precise preplanning and careful execution, and the result is that the pool's top-side structure aligns perfectly with and is fully integrated into the surrounding hardscape. The decking is in a Sedona buff color that blends nicely with both the limestone coping and the stone ledger on the back wall.
   Settling on the pool's interior finish was a lengthy process that involved Singer and the homeowner in several rounds of discussion. What finally emerged is a light, smoky-gray plaster with Colorquartz aggregate provided by 3M (St. Paul, Minn.). It lends a tranquil, light-blue tone to the water that makes it easy to see that the stacked-stone detail extends all the way to the pool's floor.
  The stone wall itself is rigged with a subtle water effect that bleeds out of a series of hidden Custom Cascades weirs (supplied by Oreq Corp. of Temecula, Calif.) that send small flows of water down the entire face of the wall. The system runs off of a four-inch feed line that connects to multiple manifolds hidden beneath the wall's capstones, which not only hides the water source, but also gives the impression that the entire wall is made of ledger stone. When the water wall is not operating, the well-sheltered pool is glassy and reflective; with the flow activated, the surface becomes articulated and textured.
   Atop the wall is the abovementioned planter, which contains a wide variety of beautiful plants including a number of spectacular bromeliads. The wall runs the entire 35-foot length of the pool and extends beyond it, termination at the wall that conceals the equipment pad. It's all part of the bond-beam detail and emerges from the pool at a slight angle to accentuate the quarry effect.
   The pool has a depth extending from three-and-a-half to eight feet It is 25 feet wide at one end, narrowing to 15 feet wide at the other to accommodate some extra decking. The width at the deep end was intended for vigorous activity by the homeowner's teenage children.