A spa flush with the deck, overlooking the bay

The project started with an exceptional site: a wooden deck overlooking the Arcachon Bay, with an outdoor lounge and a large palm tree. The client wanted a spa that would not block the view. An above-ground spa would have created a visual obstacle. We therefore designed a built-in pool, with the water surface exactly at the height of the decking.

The infinity edge serves this purpose. The water level remains flush with the edge at all times, so that the surface of the spa extends the deck and appears to merge with the water of the bay.

A real spa: hydromassage and integrated controls

Behind its mirror-like appearance, this spa remains a real spa. The hydromassage jets are integrated into the stainless steel walls. The controls are operated by piezoelectric buttons mounted on a laser-cut stainless steel panel: they work underwater, with no moving parts, and resist the salt of the sea air.

The infinity edge: stainless steel grating and buffer tank

The water flowing over the edge falls into a channel closed by a stainless steel grating, at the same level as the deck boards. It then joins a buffer tank, from which the pump takes it to filter and return it to the spa. The tank absorbs volume variations when bathers enter the water, which keeps the infinity edge level.

This principle is detailed in our guide on the operation of a mirror pool.

A shell manufactured in the workshop

The design office modeled the spa and its surroundings in 3D, including the deck, before producing the manufacturing drawings. The 316L stainless steel sheets were laser-cut and then bent, and the shell was welded and inspected in our Mérignac workshop. The bottom and walls receive a fine brushed finish, known as Scotch-Brite. It is the minimum finish we use for pools: its low roughness retains fewer deposits and protects the stainless steel better from corrosion.

Installation on a slab and cover under a stainless steel hood

On site, the spa rests on a slab and concrete blocks, shimmed so that the edge of the shell falls exactly at the level of the deck. The technical room is closed by a stainless steel hood. Safety is ensured by an automatic cover, also housed under a laser-cut stainless steel hood: when closed, it protects the pool and limits heat loss.

To learn more, our guide on stainless steel pool covers and enclosures compares the solutions.

The result

Once the cover is opened, all that remains is a rectangle of water in the wood, bordered by a stainless steel trim. The spa blends into the deck by day, and the hydromassage makes it a place of relaxation all year round. For other custom-made spas, see the KARTEL rooftop spa in Bordeaux and the Mougins mirror spa.