COLLAROY

Mission Possible

This project presented significant engineering, access and operational challenges with a steeply sloping, rocky and poorly accessible location for the proposed pool at the rear of the house. Geotechnical analysis and monitoring was critical to the long term stability of the new installation as well as ensuring all adjoining properties were not impacted by construction works or the completed structure.

The real work began – with no ability to utilise cranes or machinery from the street, this became a feat of human ingenuity and determined effort. Engineering an access for a small excavator up a steep, uneven, narrow passage by the side of the house and constructing a conveyor system to remove spoil while still maintaining access for the team – a task other company’s shied away from as way too hard, impossible even – not for Greenstone!

Extreme care, detailed analysis and methodical planning allowed works to progress smoothly, from clearing and excavating the pool location through to street level traffic control. With the groundwork complete, the titanic effort of shifting materials and constructing the formwork and concrete shell edged forward victoriously. Surrounding retaining, stairs and tiered site levelling for paved areas gradually gave form to the impossible dream.

With no other options, the aquarium grade, Plexiglass acrylic pool window,
measuring 2200 x 1200 x 70mm and weighing in at 244kg, was carried by hand up the steep, uneven, narrow side passage to the pool location. A distance nearly 50m from kerb to pool shell –
a heroic and meticulously executed feat in itself.