Design Indoor Pool Buildings with Confidence

Why do so many indoor pool projects go wrong, even when the architect follows building regs to the letter?

This is the training architects wish they had before their first indoor pool project.

Watch to learn the design principles that separate confident indoor pool specifications from costly mistakes

Why indoor pools aren't like anything else you've designed

When you put 30, 40, or 50m² of warm water inside a building, the rules change. Standard building regulations don't account for the humidity, condensation, and vapour pressure that an indoor pool generates.

Most architects approach the structure the same way they would any residential project. It's a reasonable assumption, and it's wrong. The result: condensation damage, interstitial moisture, corroded steelwork, and in worst cases, structural failure and professional indemnity claims.

This training gives you a structured framework for getting it right. Not theory. Not generic guidance. A practical approach to the specific design decisions you need to make, from plant room sizing and environmental control through to vapour barriers, material selection, and drawing set requirements.

Is this course for you?

You're an architect or architectural technician designing a residential indoor pool

You're working on a basement pool, pool house extension, or standalone pool building

You want to take on high-end residential projects that include indoor pools

You've been asked to spec an indoor pool and you're not sure where the hidden risks are

The principles in this course apply to every build type and every stage of design.

After this course, you will:

Design with certainty

Understand exactly why indoor pools demand a completely different design approach

Ask the right questions

Know what questions to ask your client before you draw a single line

Size plant rooms

Correctly size plant rooms without guessing or relying on the pool builder to catch mistakes

Spec with confidence

Set out your drawings with confidence that humidity, condensation, and vapour control are handled

Protect client relationships

Guide your client on realistic budget expectations, and protect the relationship when costs come in

Your Instructor: Dave Horne

15 years designing and building indoor pools for one of the UK's leading specialists. 300+ projects from design through to handover. And more than a few visits to projects where other teams got it wrong.

"I created this course after seeing the same design mistakes appear again and again in architectural drawings. Small oversights that lead to major redesigns, costly construction changes, or structural problems that end up in court."

What the course covers

Part 1: Why Indoor Pools Are Different

Why Indoor Pools Are So Different - Understand the hidden risks, and the costly consequences of getting it wrong.
Humidity and Condensation Challenges - Learn how to control moisture before it damages the building.
Client Briefing Essentials - The critical questions you must ask before any design work begins.

Part 2: Design and Specification

Types of Pool Construction - Compare construction methods and choose the right approach for each project.
Inside the Pool Chamber - What really happens behind the scenes, and how it affects your design.
Integrating the Pool Chamber into Your Structure - How to draw, detail, and avoid common expensive mistakes.
Pool Covers Explained - Types, benefits, and key design considerations.
Environmental Control Systems - How they work, when to use them, and how to represent them in your drawings.
Sizing the Plant Room Correctly - Practical sizing guidance so you don't under- or over-specify.

Part 3: Why Indoor Pools Are Different

Structural Design Considerations - What changes when a building includes an indoor pool.
Thermal Risks and Building Physics - Cold bridging, interstitial condensation, and surface condensation. How to prevent long-term damage.
Material Selection and Vapour Control - Choose the right materials and avoid common specification errors.

Part 4: Budgeting and Client Management

Costs and Budgeting - Why indoor pools are expensive, and realistic cost per m² expectations

Common Questions

Q: Will this apply to my specific project type?

Yes. Whether you're designing a basement pool, pool house extension, or standalone pool building, the principles covered in this course apply to every indoor pool project. The course focuses on the design decisions that are common across all build types.

Q: How long will it take? I'm on a deadline.

The course is just over 3 hours, broken into 13 modules. You can watch at your own pace and jump to the modules most relevant to your current project.

Q: What if I already know some of this?

The course covers areas that even experienced architects don't encounter until something goes wrong. If you've never designed an indoor pool, there will be gaps you don't know about yet. The 30-day guarantee means there's no risk in finding out.

Q: Is this CPD accredited?

CPD accreditation is currently in progress. We'll update all enrolled students once accreditation is confirmed. Most practices treat specialist training like this as a CPD investment regardless of formal accreditation.

Q: What happens after I pay?

You get instant access to all 13 modules. Watch at your own pace, download the course notes, and book your free 30-minute consultation at a time that suits you.

Early Access:
£399 £150

We're opening 20 places in the first cohort at a reduced price. In return for your feedback as we refine the course, you get:

Full course access at 62% off the standard price

A free 30-minute consultation to review your current project

Direct input into future course content

Downloadable course notes for every module

Only 20 early access places available. Once this cohort fills, the price moves to £399.

Fully web-based. Over 3 hours of content. Watch at your own pace. CPD accreditation in progress.