Infinity-Edge Pond

This yard has a terrific view of the San Fernando Valley, and we wanted to take advantage of it without the tremendous expense of an infinity- or vanishing-edge pool or spa.

By Scott Cohen, Supervising Designer

This yard has a terrific view of the San Fernando Valley, and we wanted to take advantage of it without the tremendous expense of an infinity- or vanishing-edge pool or spa. The solution was to create a series of outdoor rooms joined by a bridge and a magnificent infinity-edge pond.

The larger pond has two biological filters and two pumps—one circulates the upper pond and the other creates the infinity effect and returns from the lower pond. The bridge is created out of cast concrete and stamped to look like wood. From under the bridge, an 8-foot-wide spillway into the spa creates the illusion that the pond and spa are the same body of water.

To keep the edge level, we set a course of cinder block on a concrete footing and capped the top with stone.

We had a problem with smaller fish slipping over the top into the lower collection basin and discovered that we needed to raise larger fish to accommodate the design.

An infinity-edge pond situated next to a functional spa creates a dramatic effect without the high price tag of a swimming pool.

Separating the spa and pond with a concrete bridge creates the illusion that the installation is a single body of water.

A cinder block wall capped with flagstone and faced with natural stone creates the razor’s edge needed to achieve the infinity effect.

The upper pond required larger fish that would not slip over the edge and into the recirculating basin.

 Give us your opinion on
Infinity-Edge Pond

Industry Professional Site: Comments from non-industry professionals will be removed.