Sandilands Pool, Sandwich Bay Estate
Located on the Sandwich Bay estate in Kent, this project saw a tasteful and personalised addition to the prestigious private residence of Sandilands. We lead the design and oversaw the transformation of the former tennis court into a luxurious playground comprising swimming pool; spa pool and pool house set amongst extensive landscaping that seamlessly integrate elegance, tradition and modern design.
The coastal site is surrounded by low-lying areas of land designated SSSI with the highly-exposed site itself composed of pure sand with high water table relative to sea level; presenting unique challenges to overcome that required a range of expertise.
Sandilands is a Grade-II Listed Edwardian-style detached residence located at the southern end of the Sandwich Bay private estate, adjacent to the Sandwich Bay beachfront. Designed by renowned British architect Sir Reginald Blomfield in 1909, this historical property features an L-shaped plan, red brick construction and elegant details like giant brick pilasters and moulded brick cornice (replicated on the Pool House). The interior boasts rich features such as bolection moulded panelling, an open well staircase and an oval room with a fireplace.
The proposed masterplan saw the swimming pool placed at its centre and is on axis to Sandilands symmetrical principal elevation, with continuation of its grand stone steps leading down to a secluded limestone paved pool area, itself surrounded by new rendered retaining walls that feature semi-circular bays of varying radii to provide deep hardwood benching and other amenities that include open-air shower, spa pool and fire pit. Beyond these elements at higher ground are deep, well orchestrated planted borders providing year round softening, colour and texture. The sophisticated design transforms to extraordinary at evening time when carefully positioned LED accent, wall and floor washer lighting is turned on, alongside the pool lighting. Furthermore, planted borders are also illuminated for striking effect.
The substantial 15m x 5.5m pool is finished in luxurious Mauritian Slate with Lava mosaic accents and features a traditional Roman end with illuminated steps. A Solar-poly-carbonate cover enhances the water temperature, while the surrounding cream Limestone highlights the pool's vibrant turquoise hue. The pool cover disappears out of sight into an underwater chamber. Nearby, a 2m mosaic spa offers year-round relaxation. Both pool and spa were designed and installed by XL-Pools Ltd with the pool winning Gold and spa winning Silver at the SPATA 2025 British Pool & Hot Tub Awards!
Parallel to the pools southern edge is a single storey purpose built Pool House with high attention to detail in a style that emulates Sandilands itself featuring externally bespoke handmade profiled brickwork, hardwood sash windows and French doors and patent glazed roof lantern on oak rafters. Internally the robust space is designed with entertainment and pleasure in mind and features an open plan kitchen with bar area, fixed window seating and simple dining furniture. Doors open outward, on three sides: to the pool, BBQ with covered al-fresco dining area and cottage style raised beds comprising shrubs and herbs for tea and cocktails. A loo and changing room accessed from outside presents itself as subservient to the pool house, but equal in quality.
Whilst the proposal aligns with modern luxury trends, it also values sustainability: water to both the pool and spa pool are heated using eco-friendly air-source heat pumps and waste pool water is then de-chlorinated, collected alongside all surface-water and directed by pump to a 6500L in-ground water harvesting tank, itself connected to an array of automated drip-fed pipework set within the new planted borders across the site with the added benefit of sustained increases to bio-diversity on the site.
We worked across all RIBA work stages 1-6 inclusive of interior design works, construction was completed with handover to the client in April 2024.
