Compact, elegant and much easier to live in than a traditional pool, the swimming pool of less than 10 m² has established itself as the new benchmark for outdoor arrangements, without giving up high-end equipment.
For a long time, the swimming pool embodied a certain idea of residential success: large pools occupying a large part of the land of individual houses, designed as much to impress as to offer a vast swimming space. This vision, inherited from the 1980s and 1990s, where 30 or 40 m swimming pools2 established themselves as a normtoday seems to belong to another era.
Expectations have changed. Outdoor spaces, often smaller than before, are now designed as real living spaces, both functional and more economical in terms of energy consumption. In this context, the swimming pools less than 10 m2 are experiencing growing success, particularly among owners who wish to enjoy a real relaxation space without sustainably increasing their energy costsbe imposed or have to deal with lengthy administrative procedures and delays capable of chilling even the most motivated.
Compact, discreet and particularly adaptable, these “aperitif pools” – designed as much for moments of conviviality as for refreshment – are gradually establishing themselves as one of the most significant developments in contemporary exterior design.
No formalities are necessary to install a mini-pool – less than 10 m2 –, unless the land is located in a protected area, which is the case if the land is, for example, near a historic monument or a protected natural area – and in this case, a prior declaration of works is mandatory. Another element, and not the least, which pleads in favor of the aperitif swimming pool: it is not taxable. © Espace Jardins 30
Compact formats
The main advantage of these basins is their ability to be integrated almost anywhere, including in spaces previously considered too small or complex to accommodate a swimming pool worthy of the name.
With a surface less than 10 m2, aperitif pools easily find their place in an urban courtyard, on a terrace, in a narrow garden or in the immediate vicinity of the house, while leaving enough space to maintain a real quality of exterior design. Where older generations of swimming pools often required building the entire garden around them, mini-formats allow, on the contrary, circulation, green spaces and relaxation areas to be preserved.
For example, the company Espace Jardins 30 offers several configurations to adapt to architectural constraints and uses:
– rectangular format of 4.30 mx 2.30 m;
– Square pool of 3.15 mx 3.15 m;
– Customized layout according to the configuration of the land;
– Integration on terraces or in restricted urban spaces;
– Associated layout with wooden deck, natural stone or contemporary concrete.
This voluntary reduction in dimensions does not reflect a cheap compromise, but rather a very clear evolution in uses: the swimming pool is no longer thought of as a spectacular piece of equipment reserved for large properties, it becomes an element of daily comfort, perfectly integrated into the home. © Espace Jardins 30
Less maintenance, less consumption
The other reason for the success of these small ponds is due to their ease of use, which responds to a concern that has become central to many owners: taking full advantage of your exterior without increasing the technical constraints, hidden costs and time spent on maintenance.
A reduced volume of water naturally involves fewer treatment products, less cleaning and considerably reduced energy costs, particularly when it comes to heat the pool or to maintain a pleasant temperature throughout the summer season.
Savings also concern the construction phase: fewer materials, less earthworks, reduced intervention times and equipment sized on a more reasonable scale make it possible to significantly reduce the overall cost of the project without sacrificing comfort.
Contrary to what their size might suggest, these compact swimming pools retain most of the equipment associated with traditional models: heating, automated water treatment, counter-current swimming, balneotherapy nozzles and even options inspired by the world of spas. © Espace Jardins 30
The aperitif swimming pool is no longer thought of as an isolated element, but as a natural extension of the house and the garden. Wooden or stone terrace, persistent vegetation, landscaped paths and simple materials help to create a real outdoor living space, which is both aesthetic, functional and easy to maintain on a daily basis. © Espace Jardins 30
Quick installation
Another major change: installation times. Where certain swimming pool projects traditional methods required several months of work and sometimes heavy logistics, the pools less than 10 m2 now allow particularly rapid filling with wateroften between four and five weeks after ordering.
Access constraints are also much easier to manage. Narrow passage, staircase, raised terrace or complex access to the rear of a house: current technical solutions make it possible to intervene in configurations previously considered problematic, without systematically resorting to significant lifting means or heavy demolition work.
Narrow passage, staircase, raised terrace or difficult access to the rear of a home: current techniques make it possible to install these basins in complex configurations, without systematically incurring heavy work or significant lifting resources. © Espace Jardins 30
The 10 m threshold2an administrative advantage that has become decisive
It is obvious that theinterest of mini-pools also relates to fateful threshold of 10 m2 because, below this surface, the formalities are considerably reduced. Already, if the swimming pool to be installed is less than 10 m2no formality is necessary to install a mini poolunless the land is located in a protected area. If the swimming pool to be installed is less than or equal to 10 m2a prior declaration of works must be carried out;
Other good news: small ponds with a surface area of less than 10 m2 are not affected by the “swimming pool tax”whether buried, semi-buried or above ground – except in protected areas.
There main constraint of the aperitif poolsince one is necessary, lies in respecting the distances imposed by the local PLU as well as by the regulations concerning the neighborhood, generally set around three meters.
More sober, economical and infinitely simpler to integrate into contemporary environments, these mini-pools embody a new generation of outdoor arrangements where comfort no longer depends on size, but on the quality of design. © Espace Jardins 30
