Why So Many Natural Pools Don’t Look Natural

What’s the Difference Between Natural, Saltwater & Chlorine Pools

• Looks most like a traditional swimming pool.

• These are natural in function, but not necessarily in feel.

• They use biological filtration, but the visual style is like a modern pool.

• Features: clean edges, visible materials (tile, concrete, plaster), often rectangular.

• Best suited for formal settings — urban gardens, modern villas, geometric architecture.

Chlorine Pools

A natural pool should feel like it belongs where it is — as if it’s always been there. Whether you want crisp lines or soft edges, the key is intention. It’s not about copying nature; it’s about understanding it, and letting your pool become a part of it.

BIO Pools

So Why Do So Many “Natural” Pools Still Look Artificial?

• Many builders stick to what they know: traditional pool building techniques.

• They replace chlorine with plants — but keep the rest of the visual design.

• Naturalism isn’t just about how the water is filtered — it’s about how the space is shaped, how the edges feel, how the pool meets the land.

• Building in this style require extensive experience in advanced biomimetic design, engineering, artistic masonry and much more which is why it is such a rare specialty.

• Combines clean swimming zones with more natural elements.

• Details include:

  • Curved regeneration zones with gravel and plants

  • Natural stone coping instead of tiles

  • A mix of straight and flowing lines

• Works well for clients who want nature without losing design formality.

Where Modern Meets Organic

• These pools look and feel like ponds or wild lakes.

• Designed with curving lines, no visible concrete, native planting, and natural depth variation.

• Swimmers feel immersed in nature, not in a designed environment.

• The design disappears into the landscape.

• Often surrounded by meadows, terraces, trees — not paving and patio.

At Aqua Vitae, we design every type of natural pool — from formal bio pools to fully wild environments — but our signature is the naturalistic style, where structure disappears into nature. Our proprietary method, developed over 25 years, sets us apart globally.

• Not every project needs to be fully wild. A modern home may suit a hybrid or formal bio pool.

• But for clients with natural land, rural plots, or immersive gardens, a naturalistic pool makes the space feel alive and rooted.

• At Aqua Vitae, we tailor each project not just to the technical requirements — but to the emotional and sensory experience you want to create.

Formal, Modern, Minimal

HYBRID Natural Pools

NATURALISTIC Pools

Wild, Immersive, Integrated

And How to Build One That Truly Does

“Natural pools” are becoming more popular — but oddly, many of them don’t look very natural at all. Too often, clients are sold a version of a chemical-free pool that still feels like a modern swimming pool: sharp lines, tiled edges, visible concrete. In this article, we’ll explain the three main styles of natural pool design, where the disconnect happens, and how to build a truly naturalistic pool that integrates seamlessly with the land.

Choosing the Right Style for Your Landscape

The Three Styles of Natural Pools