Where the soul is reflected

RIEDEL Magazine, Issue 01 Spring 2026 | Reading time: 5 minutes

Bathe in luxury – in the truest sense of the word: small and large water oases in the garden – whether a spacious pool, a compact swim spa or a cosy hot tub – not only delight the eye, but also refresh the whole body, allowing you to enjoy life’s most precious element to the full.

Taking the plunge

Dive in, take the plunge, submerge yourself: a dip in a cool pool is probably the best way to achieve a new, refreshed state of mind. The feeling of weightlessness makes everyday life fade away, your body’s temperature returns to normal, and your mind and soul switch into reset mode. If you can, it’s best to do this several times a day.

Whether you’re a keen swimmer or simply prefer to cool off for a few moments: a few cubic metres of refreshing water are always money well spent. Because even as the water runs off, that wonderful feeling of mental and physical fitness and balance remains.

A few cubic metres of refreshing water are always money well spent.

Clear and crisp

Long pool with a turquoise floor between gravel areas, a wooden deck and densely planted beds, with a row of trees behind. — Pool landscape by Kramer & Kramer. Design: Kramer & Kramer

In many architectural projects, a swimming pool is considered a must-have and is often an integral part of the silhouette of detached houses or villas. Others, however, prefer a clear separation and would like a separate area of the garden with a swimming pool and all the associated features.

However, before you can start swimming, there are a few important decisions to be made in advance, for which it is best to seek guidance from an architect and a landscape designer. Shape and size are one thing; the nature of the site and building regulations are another. To reconcile all these factors with your individual wishes and requirements as comprehensively as possible, you therefore need professional experience, design sophistication and a keen sense of proportion.

After all, in the heat of the moment, one’s ideas about size can sometimes get a bit out of hand. To ensure that everything is in harmony in the end, an expert can be involved right from the start – meaning you’ll be able to jump into your own pool all the sooner.

Going by gut feeling

Rectangular swimming pond with a wooden jetty and loungers in a meadow, with trees and a mountain range in the background. — Swimming Pond by Biotop. Design: Fresner Garden and Landscape Design

It is worth noting at this point that not all swimming pools are the same. Many people think of a classic swimming pool – architecturally clean and modern – offering a wide range of shapes, depths and technical features. Chemical water treatment ensures that bathing conditions are always very hygienic; however, it is important to bear in mind that the pool requires regular maintenance and upkeep.

Those who prefer a more natural approach might opt for a swimming or bathing pond, also known as a biotope – an ecological body of water with a natural character, in which aquatic plants in a dedicated regeneration area handle the bulk of the purification. It is important to note here that this requires more space.

Those who do not wish to opt for either of these two systems can choose a natural pool as the happy medium, which combines functional qualities with natural water treatment via bio-filtration systems. This allows you to design a pool that looks classic but does not require the use of chemicals.

Oval sunken bathtub filled with water, with a tap, on a light stone surface beneath overhanging leafy branches. — Agape’s DR outdoor bath. Design: Studio MK27

Once a certain size, depth and volume of water are reached, none of these options are exempt from planning permission. For this reason, it is recommended that you seek clarification from the local planning authority before starting the project, to ensure it doesn’t end up being a ‘flop’.

For small pools – similar in size to a bath, for example – that are integrated into the terrace, no separate planning permission will be required, provided there are no structural objections. Whilst you cannot swim in them, the motto ‘small but perfect’ ensures that spending time in the water is a pure delight.

A soft spot for water

Pool with light, large-format tiling, with sun loungers in front in the shade of an old olive tree. — The Rinascenza Arena collection by Florim. Design: Nicola Gallizia

Once the pool has been defined, the next decision is already upon you: should it be edged with wood, ceramic or perhaps natural stone? It’s not an easy choice, but the immediate surroundings or the overall style of the garden might help. For a minimalist to purist style, with plenty of smooth and glass surfaces, large-format ceramic slabs work wonderfully; with few joints, they are not only quick to lay but also leave little space for unwanted growth. If the garden is lush and very colourful with plenty of lawn, wood works well as it continues the natural character.

But not all areas around the pool need to be straight and level: there are no limits to your imagination when it comes to designing with planted areas, small islands in the form of wooden decking, reed oases or boulders, as well as sand or gravel areas. Urban chic and a genuine beach vibe are not mutually exclusive.

Urban chic and a genuine beach vibe are not mutually exclusive.

Square mini pool made of light stone on a terrace along a glass facade, filled with clear water in the sunlight. — Minipool Quadrat by Kos from Zucchetti. Design: Ludovica + Roberto Palomba

You can hardly get any more freedom than that

Once this final important decision has been made, you come to what is arguably the most enjoyable part of pool planning: elegant lounges, stylish sun loungers and tasteful shade structures complement small side tables, cosy seat cushions and portable lights, lending the refreshing experience comfort, freedom and flexibility.

Add to that a stylish outdoor shower and perhaps even – to complete the wellness package – an outdoor sauna right next door. One way today, another tomorrow – that is, after all, the true longing that can be fulfilled in your own garden. So why wander far afield…?

How a swimming pool affects a property’s value

A swimming pool in the garden affects a house’s value in two ways. In upmarket areas, it is expected as a standard feature, and its absence is seen as a drawback. Conversely, pools with ageing technical systems are initially viewed by buyers as an item on the list of potential costs. What the documentation reveals is therefore crucial: year of construction, planning permission, technical room, waterproofing and maintenance records.

This applies particularly to the issue of planning permission, which this article addresses. It is a key consideration at the time of sale, not just during construction. Anyone putting their house with a swimming pool on the market should compile the relevant documents in advance. The Munich market report shows how supply and prices have developed recently, whilst the current standard land values provide an indication of property values in individual locations.

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