Tops Taringa
Built by a local engineer sometime in the 1950’s, this was one of the first pools built in the western suburbs of Brisbane. The archeological evidence found during the renovation backs up these claims. The labels of XXXX bottles buried in previous renovations where specific enough. Carbon dating was not necessary.
The Restoration
Two false concrete floors floating on the original painted surface had to be removed to find the pool shell. After rectifying the basic structure it was time to bring this old classic into the 21st century.
It was painfully obvious during the removal of the floating floors that the pool did not have steps and benches. After rectifying this, access was improved dramatically for the renovation process and for future swimmers.
The skimmer boxes and maindrains that we now take for granted were not available when this pool was built, so they were installed along with an led light and solar heating. Now a fully functioning modern pool, finishes were chosen to reflect the age of the pool and the renovated house. Classic ceramic mosaics for the tileband and an understated pebble interior achieved this aim. Natural stone tiles to the coping and surrounds united the pool with the house.
The Future
This pool truly represents what a pool restoration should be. Everything worn and nonfunctional has been removed and
replaced with specifications that are durable and functional. Design imperfections have been solved without diverting from the theme and period of architecture. From a time when the pool industry was just a foetus and projects would have a limited life, it is a credit to the original builder for this pool to now have the potential to live for a century. When this pool has seen a hundred years of swimmers and is still functional and current, it will be a celebration for the swimming pool industry.
