Swimming Pools Archives - Berneche2 Architecture

Spring Brook Marina Outdoor Pool

Timothy Berneche — Wed, 01 Oct 2025 10:09:32 +0000

This was an unfortunate situation where the facility owner had a concrete company construct an in-ground fiberglass pool. While local permits were apparently procured, one was not pursued with IDPH (Illinois Department of Public Health), who would had rejected the permit as fiberglass pools are not allowed for commercial application. This is because the fiberglass shell cannot provide satisfactory slip resistance. An IDPH inspector found the violation three years after it was constructed and was forced to shut down.

We were hired to develop a code compliant replacement. We also had to upgrade the equipment room and Bathing facilities to comply with the Illinois Swimming Facility Code. The owner had hired a different pool company to do the construction who unfortunately did part of the work and ran off, ripping off this client who was now burned by a second pool company. A THIRD company, Sunrise Pool Builders, was brought in and did outstanding work to finish the job.

Work to the existing pool building included proper air intake for the pool heater, correcting the bathing facility floors for proper slope and slop resistance, and adding deck drains for proper drainage.

The pool was out of commission for roughly a year but ready at the end of Summer 2024. We were also subpoenaed to serve as an expert witness on issues for the Illinois Swimming Facility Code in the owner’s lawsuit against the initial company who installed the fiberglass pool.

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McDowell Point Apartments Outdoor Pool and Spa

Timothy Berneche — Wed, 01 Oct 2025 09:37:56 +0000

We detailed the pool aquatics and engineering for this outdoor pool and spa in an apartment courtyard. The equipment room is located in the parking garage level below which created challenges with pool and spa autofill devices. This was one of our longer pool projects as there were lots of personnel changes on the construction management team, common in the post pandemic era. Courtyard and landscaping design were by others.

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Stonebridge Country Club Cabana Addition and Wading Pool Beach Entrance

Timothy Berneche — Wed, 25 Jun 2025 11:05:59 +0000

North Shore Pool and Spa hired us to modify an existing Wading Pool to have a beach entrance, allowing wheelchair and other abled users to now access this pool. The club’s main pool also needed new lights, replastering, and new tile lane markers.

Stonebridge had another architect initially design them a cabana addition to their existing Cantina Kitchen building, but with the number of permit comments that came back we were hired to address those and to completely detail the structure. The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) saw enough development in the food service operation to require a fence to separate the dining area from the pool deck. The roof originally had four skylights but it was decided to eliminate these to keep out the summer sun.

The wading pool also has side jets making it more attractive and playful. The adjacent cabana provides a place to enjoy the short Midwest Summers out of the heat and within view of the pools and their activities.

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555 Cornelia Pool and Sundeck Rehabilitation

Timothy Berneche — Wed, 25 Sep 2024 03:32:30 +0000

The condo association approached us to rehabilitate their existing rooftop pool deck. It had a diving end which we raised with EPS foam blocks to create a three to five-foot deep pool. Perimeter gutters were removed and replaced with skimmers for a cleaner pool edge. With concern for leaks in the parking garage below, the owner selected a vinyl liner system. The DTE (Diatomaceous) filters were replaced with sand filters and all equipment was replaced. Berneche2 also coordinated the mechanical and electrical consultant for the deck architect’s Sundeck project.

Berneche2 Architecture provided construction administration services.

Pool Contractor: Maverick Pools

General Contractor: LS Contracting

Sundeck Architect: KGH Architects and Engineers

Plumbing and Electrical Engineering: Yagla Engineering Services

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Peotone Travel Center Spa

Timothy Berneche — Sun, 14 Apr 2024 05:27:55 +0000

Our client built a two-story luxury truck stop and travel center at this I-57 exit. The spa room consists of a stainless steel spa sunken into the second floor. We initially worked with a spa company but the owner later hired a local pool contractor who fabricates their own stainless steel spas.

Peotone Travel Center

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Aqua-Tots Swim School South Chicago Suburbs

Timothy Berneche — Sun, 10 Mar 2024 16:32:07 +0000

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We’ve designed several Aqua-Tots Swim Schools in Illinois and other states. All were with Gilliana Pools, the first pool contractor we worked with since 2013 and who got us into the pool business.

This swim school was constructed in an existing building and we guided the space planner to position the pool to not undermine any interior columns or exterior foundation walls. These pools are specifically designed for construction with built-in benches on the two long sides.

We also designed the initial Aqua-Tots design manual used by other developers.

We are proud to be involved with facilities that teach the important life skill of water safety.

Photos were taken by the pool contractor.

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The Westlyn Outdoor Pool

Timothy Berneche — Tue, 10 Oct 2023 00:40:14 +0000

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This is a large pool in a multi-family residential courtyard utilizing a heat exchanger for a pool heater. The project involved coordination with many partners including the building architect and various engineers.

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Holiday Inn Express Pool

Timothy Berneche — Tue, 10 Oct 2023 00:21:35 +0000

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Most of our commercial pools are for hotels such as this example. Our services not only include the pool design, but also review of the architectural and engineering drawings to assure compliance with the Illinois Swimming Facility Code. This includes review of floor construction and materials, floor and deck drainage, lighting levels, slip-resistant flooring materials, plumbing, mechanical, and electrical systems.

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Hilton Garden Inn Pool

Timothy Berneche — Fri, 23 Jun 2023 23:46:21 +0000

This is a common type of pool we design and engineer for hotels. More often though we do not use a brick coping but it looks nice here.

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