Overlooking the Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees, Monkey Island is a water-side property situated in the foothills of the Ozark Mountains. The prairie-style home was built several decades ago and its definitive style laid the groundwork for our pool and patio design. While the existing home had a rectangular standard waterline pool and built-in spa, our main objective became clear when we discovered that the home owner wanted to capitalize on the water views with a well-placed infinity edge pool. Instead of converting the current pool, we created a brand-new design, incorporating the home’s pronounced geometry and a pool aligned with the water’s edge. The geometry is repeated in the fire feature. Its unique shape intersects with two existing columns from the home roofline—the way the columns integrate into the pool deck creates an outdoor room and repeats the chevron angle that is visible in the home’s roofline.
We carried the home’s angles into the main pool deck and as the pool deck edges toward the water, both the shapes and material selections become increasingly organic. Angles transition into rounded curves and the dimensional cut paving transitions into irregular slabs of sandstone flag. The second-tier patio, adjacent to the infinity edge, is a perfect location for sunbathing. We placed the all-glass perimeter overflow spa on a separate promenade, with more magnificent views over the lake. The spa comfortably seats 10 people and becomes a stand-out design element.
In addition to the pool and spa, our design included a pool house, large pump room and bathroom. The pump room is hidden by landscaping. A nearby platform supports the outdoor pergola, creating shade with a woven tapestry of fabric. Our design also includes an outdoor kitchen, pizza oven and a bar. On the farthest peninsula of the project is a wood-burning fire pit.
