Banks Pool and Spa Design
Complete Outdoor Luxury Living
Story by Ann Butenas / Photography by Matt Kocourek / Sponsored Content
At Banks Pool and Spa Design, the conversation has reached new heights. While pools remain the mainstay of their work, the company has intentionally shifted its focus to creating comprehensive outdoor living designs that transform entire backyards into cohesive and usable environments.
When homeowners sit down with the team, the conversation now goes far beyond pool style and tile selection.
“I like to start with a comprehensive design questionnaire that includes much more than just pool design questions. We talk about their life,” explained Hoyt Banks of Banks Pool and Spa Design. “I ask things like, ‘Where are you going to drink your coffee in the morning?’ or ‘Where do the kids drop their towels?’ It’s a much more personal conversation because we’re designing a backdrop for their memories, not just a utility.”
What sets Banks Pool and Spa Design apart goes far beyond their design philosophy, as their technical foundation comes heavily into play here.
“People forget that pools are high-stakes engineering,” emphasized Banks. “If you can manage the hydraulics, the soil pressure, and the chemistry of a massive vessel of water, you’ve already mastered the hardest part of the backyard.”
This “dirt-first” perspective means understanding exactly how the ground needs to be prepped for heavy outdoor kitchens or stone fireplaces. Banks’ years of managing large elevation changes in pool construction translates directly to creating multi-level outdoor environments where every element is structurally sound.
And what is the biggest mistake homeowners make? Trying to build their outdoor oasis in stages with multiple contractors.
“The biggest heartbreak I see is when homeowners try to piece it together over three years with four different contractors,” stated Banks. “You may end up with a patio that doesn’t level up with the pool coping or a kitchen that’s five feet too far from the gas line.”
Beyond aesthetic inconsistency, this approach typically costs more in the long run.
“Having one set of eyes on the whole vision ensures everything from the drainage to the stone texture actually makes sense together,” expressed Banks.
For Banks, a truly complete outdoor living space feels like a natural extension of the house, designed with intentional flow.
“As you move toward the water, you hit social zones such as a fire feature or a sunken seating area. The pool is the anchor, but the landscaping and lighting are the frame,” he explained. “It’s a 360-degree environment where the back fence isn’t a boundary, but a backdrop.”
A recent project exemplifies this holistic approach. A client requested simply a “big pool.” After analyzing their sloped property, Banks convinced them to embrace a multi-tier design. This resulted in a stunning glass-tile infinity pool dropping into a lower-level fire pit area, flanked by an outdoor kitchen complete with wood-fired pizza oven.
“It went from a backyard they ‘used’ to a backyard they ‘lived in’,” said Banks.
For homeowners uncertain about full commitment, Banks’ advice is pragmatic.
FRESH VIEW
One thing people often overlook is acoustics. When you’re building a complete outdoor space, think about how sound travels. A small water feature or a bubbling ‘weeping wall’ can mask neighborhood noise and make your backyard feel like a private sanctuary. Add in a zoned sound system that you can control from your phone, and you’ve gone from a ‘backyard’ to a true escape.
“Function dictates design,” he advised. “Even if we only dig the pool this year, let’s get the master plan on paper now. We can stub out the gas, electric, and water lines today for a fraction of what it’ll cost to rip up your beautiful new deck three years from now.”
The goal is more than just building for this summer; it’s also about creating an outdoor environment that serves the homeowner for the next decade.
