Lakeside Infinity Pool & Travertine Terrace

This sloping waterfront lot presented a unique set of challenges and an extraordinary opportunity. The homeowners wanted a resort-style entertaining space with an infinity-edge pool framing the lake view, but the grade dropped sharply toward the water and the soil was typical lakeside mix: sandy in spots, clay-heavy in others, and subject to the freeze-thaw cycles that make shoreline construction unforgiving.

The solution required engineered retaining to manage the grade change while preserving views. We terraced the slope into three levels: the upper terrace for lounging and dining, the mid-level housing the pool and travertine surround, and a lower level stepping down toward the dock area.

The travertine terrace sits on a deep compacted base designed specifically for the site's soil conditions, deeper than standard specs because shoreline frost penetration runs deeper than inland areas. Drainage was critical: we installed perimeter drainage and swales that move water away from both the pool structure and the retaining walls without creating erosion below.