A sculptural, fully tiled pool brings contemporary ease to a compact Curl Curl setting
Urban Escape – 2026 Pool of the Year Awards Entrant
Tucked into a tightly constrained site in Curl Curl, this beautifully resolved pool proves that great design is not defined by size alone. Built and designed by Urban Escape, the project transforms a modest backyard into a refined outdoor retreat — one that balances clean architectural lines with softened curves and a strong sense of lifestyle connection.
From the outset, the brief was clear. The owners wanted a compact yet highly functional pool that could support an active family lifestyle, accommodate home-based exercise, and provide a place to relax and entertain. With council constraints and a challenging block to contend with, the solution required careful planning, precision execution, and a strong understanding of proportion.
Urban Escape responded with a geometric pool form softened by curved ends and corners, creating a design that sits comfortably between classic and contemporary. Measuring approximately 6m x 3.7m, the pool maximises every square metre, offering generous swim space without overwhelming the site. Fully tiled throughout, the pool’s finish delivers a crisp, luminous water colour that elevates the entire outdoor area.
Material selection plays a pivotal role in the project’s success. Limestone coping and paving provide a calm, cohesive surround, while the blue-toned mosaic tiles add depth and movement to the water. At night, colour-changing LED lighting transforms the pool into a glowing focal point, enhancing the atmosphere and extending its use well beyond daylight hours.
Despite its compact footprint, the pool is rich in features. Integrated swim jets support fitness and resistance training, while an automated in-floor cleaning system and heat pump and gas heating ensure year-round comfort and ease of maintenance. Every element has been carefully considered to support daily use while maintaining a clean, uncluttered aesthetic.
The pool sits seamlessly within the broader landscape, which was also designed and delivered by Urban Escape. A combination of spotted gum decking, timber fencing and layered planting softens the architecture and creates privacy, while frameless glass fencing maintains visual openness and a strong connection to the surrounding garden.
Construction required ingenuity, with excavation staged to allow machinery access and ensure stability on the restricted site. Through careful sequencing and experienced problem solving, the team successfully delivered the project without compromise — a testament to their technical skill and attention to detail.
For Urban Escape, this Curl Curl pool reflects the core principles of good design: respecting constraints, enhancing lifestyle and creating a feature that feels both distinctive and effortless. Compact, contemporary and beautifully executed, it is a pool designed not just to be seen, but to be used and enjoyed every day.
At a Glance
Pool design & construction: Urban Escape
Style: Geometric pool with curved ends
Size: Approx. 6m x 3.7m
Coping & paving: Limestone
Tiles: Glass mosaic
Filtration: In-floor cleaning system
Heating: Heat pump and gas heating
Lighting: LED colour-changing lights
Decking: Spotted gum
Special features: Swim jets for exercise, fully tiled interior, automated cleaning
Company Profile
Urban Escape began as a structural landscape company with a clear but simple vision to create quality and stylish gardens to suit its clients’ needs. Owner Nick McCarthy holds a science degree in horticulture and landscape design, and shortly after starting a landscaping business he was inspired to become a licensed pool builder.
“There was a tendency to put pools where the client said without thinking it through, or even to just put it where it was easiest for the builder, rather than best for the outcome,” explains Nick.
“That is essentially why I got into building pools — so I could be sure our pool was put in the best location. Sometimes an architect just draws a rectangle and that’s it. A swimming pool is a big item and needs to be integrated and thought through so it works with the landscape.”
This boutique company has now been an integral part of Sydney’s landscaping and pool industry for more than 25 years. Urban Escape offers a holistic approach to outdoor design, from consultation and design to council submissions, landscaping construction as well as pool/spa construction, resulting in a seamless and stress-free process for clients.
For more information
Urban Escape Landscapes and Pools
A: 48/28 Barcoo St, Roseville NSW M: 0416 180 530
E: nick@urbanescape.com.au
