Zero-Edge Infinity Pool in Bahrain
A Custom Design for a Private Resort Experience
The client in Bahrain – prominent local businessman – throws parties for 50+ people regularly. His colonial-style residence needed a pool that could handle serious entertaining without looking like a public facility.
Brief was clear: pool complex that works for large gatherings while maintaining refined aesthetics. The 20-meter free-form pool sounded manageable until we factored in 60 linear meters of zero-edge detail. In Bahrain’s climate, that’s a proper engineering headache. Learn more about the visual and technical complexity of zero-edge mirror overflows.
Engineering vs Entertainment
Those 60 linear meters aren’t just technical showing-off. They create an unbroken water horizon that mirrors the sky perfectly. The free-form shape follows the natural flow of the courtyard, wrapping around existing palm trees instead of fighting them. At sunset, the entire surface becomes liquid gold stretching to infinity.
We ended up designing a complete aquatic complex. Kids’ area connects through infinity overflow (doubles as water feature), integrated jacuzzi, hammam facility. Private resort vibes – that’s what the client wanted.
The design flows like water itself. Curved edges guide swimmers naturally from deep to shallow zones. Standing at pool edge, you can’t tell where water ends and sky begins. Children’s area feels like a separate lagoon but water connects everything through gentle cascades.
Bahrain Fights Back
Building pools in Bahrain? The environment fights you. High seawater table, salt air eating through everything, summer temperatures hitting 50°C. The overflow system had to manage massive water displacement when packed with guests, all while maintaining that knife-edge appearance.
Filtration System & Pump Strategy
Filtration approach broke some rules. Most contractors suggest one massive pump system. We spec’d three separate 25m³/hour units instead. Why? During cooler months, shut down one pump – save energy costs. Party season with 50+ people? Fire up all three pumps.
Each pump handles different zones. Main pool circulation, children’s area overflow, jacuzzi jets. If one unit fails, others keep running. No complete system shutdown during repairs.
Balancing Tank Considerations
Balancing tank took head-scratching. Had to account for overflow volume plus displacement from automatic cleaning system. Those rotating pop-up nozzles move serious water. Everything needs somewhere to go before cycling back
Managing From Europe
Running this from 4,000 miles away meant getting creative. Developed technical drawings with millimeter-level tolerances (infinity edge won’t forgive sloppy installation). Every detail started with precise technical drawings – discover our design process. Partnered with local contractor who understood engineering requirements and regional construction practices.
The client handled material procurement locally – a smart move considering the region’s import constraints. Most of the technical components were sourced via the Dubai platform of Fluidra (AstralPool), one of the leading suppliers of professional-grade pool systems. Our job: critical phases like overflow channel installation, pump system calibration, commissioning automated features.
Site visits timed around major milestones. Structural completion, mechanical installation, final testing. Between visits – lots of video calls during key procedures. Progress documentation kept everything on track.
Reality Hits
Biggest curveball during excavation. seawater infiltration way worse than initial site assessment suggested. Had to completely rethink foundation approach mid-project. Added waterproof membranes and drainage systems not in original spec. Ground had other ideas.
Salt & Corrosion Challenges
Salt content in local water supply meant upgrading materials across the board. Standard mild steel components corrode within six months. Everything from valve bodies to pipe connections required marine-grade specifications. Adds to budget but saves headaches later. See how we adapted this same technical precision to a zero-edge pool in the Canadian climate.
Overflow Edge Precision
Zero edge installation demanded absolute precision. Any deviation over 1mm creates visible irregularities in water flow. Contractor’s team worked in sections, using laser levels and temporary dams. Required accuracy across all 60 meters – tedious but necessary.
Overflow Slot Detail
The overflow slot detail proved particularly challenging. Two separate granite coping stones cover the channel – one poolside, one deckside – leaving a precise 1cm gap between them for water overflow. Cut on-site from 3cm-thick granite slabs to follow the pool’s free-form curves perfectly. No room for error – each piece had to match the exact radius.
Weather & Concrete Timing
Weather didn’t help. Wind affects laser readings. Had to work early mornings when air stayed still. Concrete setting time shortened in high heat – everything had to move faster.
Not just decoration
Every design decision serves actual lifestyle requirements. 20-meter length works for serious swimming. Extensive shallow areas handle large gatherings without crowded public pool feel. Kids splash in their dedicated zone while parents relax nearby – no constant supervision needed.
Hammam integration makes sense in Bahrain’s climate rather than being exotic styling. Spa facilities adjacent to pool area work for year-round usage patterns local residents follow.
Zero-edge effect creates visual continuity with the residence’s clean geometric lines. But it’s more than aesthetic – when you’re hosting 50+ people, that infinity horizon prevents the space from feeling cramped. Traditional pool edges create visual barriers. This design dissolves them. Discover more about our approach to infinity pool design.
Swimming feels like floating in mid-air. The water edge disappears completely – you’re suspended between reflected clouds below and real sky above. Even during crowded parties, the infinity effect makes space feel limitless rather than constrained.
Results That Last
System works exactly as we designed it. The modular pumps? Client shuts down one unit during quiet months, fires up all three for big parties. That knife-edge overflow still looks perfect despite constant use. More importantly – client actually uses every single element we built.
Guests still stop mid-conversation when they first see the pool. That moment when they realize the water surface sits perfectly flush with the deck – like one continuous plane. Pool works. Engineering holds up. The magic remains. Client’s happy. Sometimes that’s enough.
Looking to design a pool tailored to your climate and lifestyle? Let’s talk.
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