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Biotop honours the most beautiful natural pools and swimming ponds

At this year’s Biotop Partner Meeting, which took place on the 10th and 11th of November at the Courtyard Marriott Hotel in Vienna, the traditional Design Award was presented. A jury of eight experts selected the most beautiful natural pool projects in three categories. A total of 42 entries from 19 partner companies from seven nations took part in the competition. In the “Swimming Pond” category, the winner was the “Lichtspiele” swimming pond concept by Schellheimer Garten- und Landschaftsbau from Germany. The Dutch Koninklijke Ginkel Groep was chosen for the most unusual “Living Pool”. The award for the most beautiful project in “Conversion & Renovation” went to the German Galabau Kreye GmbH. “Every year, the traditional Design Award honours the most exciting projects of our partners. We are impressed by the quality of the submitted concepts and proud to have the best Galabau companies as Biotop partners,” explains Jasmin Nöbl, Managing Director Biotop GmbH.

The Design Award has been rewarding the work of the international Biotop partner companies for many years. Once again, the expert jury, consisting of trade journalists, architects and landscape planners, selected the best concepts in the Living Pool, Swimming Pond and Conversion & Renovation categories from the 42 projects submitted. In the final presentation, the twelve finalists presented their projects in detail to the Biotop partners. The winning concepts impressed with their extraordinary design, unique architecture and high-quality execution. 

The most beautiful Swimming Ponds
The winner of this category is the “Lichtspiele” swimming pond by Schellheimer Garten- und Landschaftsbau GmbH from Germany. Various places and spaces are arranged around the 140 square metre swimming pond, with an exciting mix of modern and Mediterranean elements. The extraordinary project also won the Biotop Partners’ 1st Choice Design Award. Natural Swimming Pools LTD came in second place with the project “Breathtaking Views in the South of France”. The linear swimming pool is set in a terraced garden and offers incredible views over the Mediterranean. Third place went to Potsdamer Gartengestaltung GmbH with a “Wellness oasis in miniature”, and Florijk came in fourth with its “Stadtidylle” project: 

 

 

 

Winning project
Swimming Pond
Schellheimer Garten- und Landschaftsbau GmbH
(Image: ©Mathis Leicht)

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Top of Living Pools
The Koninklijke Ginkel Groep can claim the most beautiful Living Pool project. Their “naturally conceived around the corner” concept plays all the angles, from counter-current system to sandstone slabs and wonderful greenery around the pool. Second place went to ES Plan+Gartenwerkstatt GmbH with a Living Pool sports pool which grows out of the terrain and is surrounded by the undulating lawn. Third place went to Elements of Nature PLC with their “Corner House”—a picturesque Living Pool in Kent, England. Fresner Garten- und Landschaftsbau GmbH came fourth with its “Living Pool with Infinity”, a show pool framed by lavender and colourful perennials.

 

 

 

 

Winning project Living Pool
Koninklijke Ginkel Groep
(Image: ©Koninklijke Ginkel Groep)

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The best conversions and renovations
Here, Galabau Kreye was crowned the winner with a particularly successful conversion project. An existing, small Biotop was converted into a large Swimming Pond. Great importance was attached to a natural construction method and only local materials were used. The result was a new habitat for flora and fauna. Second place went to Viridee NV for the conversion of an existing chlorine pool into a Swimming Pond. The Swimming Pond merges with the open meadow landscape and is the ultimate natural leisure oasis for the whole family. Third place went to Tuinen Brouckaert BVBA with the conversion of an existing pond into a Swimming Pond with a swimming area and a living plant zone as a mini-ecosystem. Fourth place went to Geoblauw by Geonet BVBA, who converted a fish pond and part of the terrace into a Living Pool that blends beautifully with the terrace and the house. 

 

 

 

 

Winning project
Conversion & Renovation
Kreye GmbH & Co. KG
(Image: ©Kreye GmbH & Co. KG)

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