There’s no reason a pool house can’t make a splash as an entertainment center year-round. This exceptional example in Bryn Mawr features floor-to-ceiling glass doors that slide open in warmer months and a fireplace for nestling when winter winds blow.
The living area is defined by a vaulted central space with a wood-plank ceiling and tile flooring.
For this project, the design team at Philadelphia’s Shiftspace drew inspiration from the natural setting, installing a rectangular pool with an infinity edge positioned on a ravine that descends to a creek. As for the pool house, it complements the modern vibe with natural materials. “On the exterior, we used the same local Pennsylvania stone as the main house, with a metal roof,” says Mario Gentile, Shiftspace partner and studio director. “On the interior, we embraced materials with warmth and texture, including natural stone, wood and tile.”
The gathering space features a bar with woodland views and a kitchen with outdoor seating and a barbecue.
The large, open living and dining area is relaxed and comfortable, defined by a vaulted central space with a wood-plank ceiling and tile flooring. There’s an expansive sectional sofa, plus a slatted dining table surrounded by eight chairs with plump white cushions. The gathering space features a bar with woodland views and a kitchen with outdoor seating and a barbecue. Other amenities include a bathroom, laundry room and changing room. The pool house doubles as a guest house, with a lower-level suite and an outdoor shower.
Philadelphia’s Shiftspace drew inspiration from the natural setting, installing a rectangular pool with an infinity edge positioned on a ravine the descends to a creek.
Other amenities include a bathroom, laundry room and changing room.
For Gentile, the greatest design challenge was integrating the windows and doors, which nest and hide seamlessly when opened, eliminating any obvious barriers to the outdoors. A bank of windows in the kitchen open to access alfresco bar seating. Doors slide away in the gathering area, allowing guests to walk directly from the pool house onto the deck. “The doors and windows disappear into the exterior walls like magic,” he says. “When it’s time to close them, they reappear.”
There’s an expansive sectional sofa, plus a slatted dining table surrounded by eight chairs with plump white cushions.
Shiftspace
3060 W. Jefferson St., Philadelphia, (267) 536-9099
Baroni Building Co.
13 E. Central Ave., Paoli, (844) 422-7664
Far Studio
872 Penn St., Bryn Mawr, (610) 420-4221
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