Jewel in the garden – the pool house
Once upon a time, backyard and poolside homes were primarily used to store the lawn mower and other garden tools. Today, the demands are different – because in hot summers people spend a lot of time in the cool water and want to avoid going to the kitchen for refreshments. But not all pool houses are the same – we talked to Monika Thurnher, managing director of the Viennese family business ALCO ( www.alco.at ) with focus on winter gardens, swimming halls and even pool houses spoke, which new trends there are and which is to be considered with the establishment of a jewel in the garden.
Ms. Thurnher, pool houses really seem to be booming this year – why is that?
It’s not really the pool house that’s booming, it’s the pool itself. This is a trend that has been evident since the start of the Covid pandemic, as people have had to spend more time at home, which is why many got a pool in the first place. The second reason is certainly global warming – summers are getting hotter, having a pool in your own backyard is a luxury that makes perfect sense.
What to consider before building a pool house?
First of all, there is the question: Do I even have the space for it? If so, there are different laws in each state, indeed almost in each municipality. You definitely need a building permit or a building notice. It is important to clarify in advance what percentage of the plot may be built on, then the question of whether the space is enough, solves itself. Pools can be placed in the garden, as long as they do not exceed a certain size, for which you do not need an extra permit – with pool houses it is different.
What must a pool house be able to do today?
The requirements are different. A pool house is also often used as a guest house, i.e. with a bathroom, sleeping accommodation and possibly a small kitchen. Others also accommodate their wellness area with sauna, massage room and gym here. What is permitted is what pleases and benefits one’s own requirements.
In terms of design, there are also several variants – which do you consider optimal?
Personally, I always recommend wood-aluminum-glass construction. If only for the reason that it gives you a pleasant climate in the pool house, a lot of light and thus a beautiful view of the pool and the garden. It is not necessary that the pool house reflects the look of the house, on the contrary – often a complete break is even very chic.
And – last question – the price. What costs should I expect when building a pool house?
You can’t say that in general; it depends on both the size and the equipment. In principle, for example, the luxury version can be compared with the prices of high-quality housing. However, our company also takes care of all the work – from planning to completion.
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