Website Sponsor:

Million Dollar Pool Design Challenge

Million Dollar Pool Design Challenge logo

The clients and their long list of requirements are fictitious but the site, and the contest, are real. Designers are invited to enter the contest and design the ultimate outdoor oasis with a million-dollar budget. 

Five finalists, including one student, will be selected to receive a trip to PSP/Deck Expo 2022, where their renderings will be presented to their peers. Voting is to be held live during the presentation, and the top four winning designers will receive a cash prize.

Designers can win a top prize of $10,000 thanks to Lead Sponsor,
Riverflow Pumps by Current Systems.


2023 information coming soon! Meanwhile, take a look at the 2022 info below.

The Scenario


The clients are two lawyers - a husband and wife - who live in Chicago, Illinois. They are seeking a nice setting for their home, which has a lower terrace area, front approach, and rooftop terrace. Their goals for the space are health, wellness, and self-care. 

She teaches yoga and barre as a hobby, and would like an area to exercise, and to cool off. A hot tub and cold plunge are required, possibly also a sauna.

The space will be used seasonally; as a Chicago-based project, the designer should consider wind, sun direction, and shade. Cool lighting is a must.

They'd like to keep the view open if possible, but also want privacy. They'll be entertaining between six and 12 guests maxium. For a gathering area, for the couple or for guests, they'd like a fire element. 

Finally, they'd need a lawn space - either synthetic or real.


Lead Sponsor

 

Riverflow Pumps by Current Systems
is the lead sponsor of the
Million Dollar Pool Design Challenge


Wish List


The Site

  • Based in Chicago, Illinois; the clients are a couple who are both lawyers
  • Home has a lower terrace area, front approach, and rooftop terrace
  • Seasonal usage of space, designer should consider wind, sun direction, shade, and the Chicago climate
  • Their goal for the space is a space to unwind


Aesthetics & View

  • Keep the view open if possible, but they also want privacy
  • Preferred to have natual elements, but they love structured design


Pool & Spa

  • The pool is for health, wellness, and self care.
  • They are looking for a complete setting, not just a swimming pool
  • A hot tub and cold plunge are needed, possibly a sauna


Elements to Include

  • A fire element to gather around
  • Cool lighting
  • The use of a Riverflow Pumps by Current Systems product (lazy river or swim jet system)
  • A real or synthetic lawn space
  • The use of Ledge Lounger furniture
  • A hot tub and cold plunge are needed, possibly a sauna
  • An outdoor kitchen


Other Considerations

  • The couple will entertain/host six to 12 guests maximum
  • The wife teaches yoga and barre as a hobby, and wants a space to exercise and cool off

Sponsors





Young Professional Sponsor



How it Works

Reid Schindler, one of the industry's up and coming award-winning designers, and Mike Farley, with 30+ years designing award winning pools, are teaming up with the PSP/Deck Expo to discover the industry's top designers.

Join in on the fun with us to see! A panel will be picking 5 finalists (1 student finalist) to send to this year's event.  All finalists' presentations, as well as Mike and Reid's solutions will be demonstrated on-site at the Expo. 

Designers can win a top prize of $10,000 thanks to Lead Sponsor,
Riverflow Pumps by Current Systems.


Contest Rules

Three Categories - Individual - Student - Team/Company*​​

What we need from you​:

  • Scaled 2d plan, rendered with media of choice.  
  • At least 1 form of a perspective rendering. **    
  • At maximum, 5 supporting graphics rendered with media of choice.  *** 
  • A short paragraph detailing your design process and/or explanations of solution details.​


Optional items for consideration: 

  • A two minute maximum video (.mp4 or .mov format) flythrough. 
  • 3d physical model or other unique presentation support.

*Limited to 4 Individuals or Teammates
**Entries will not be judged on amount of renderings, but quality of workmanship​   and effective/unique design usage for the clients wishes.​ 
***The Designer & Company will remain anonymous to the judges until the initial judging process is completed.  Please do not have names your plans or perspective renderings.  Design & videos will be co-property of “The Million Dollar Pool Challenge” once submitted and can be distributed to electronic and print outlets.  Owner of design can also distribute design materials.​


Each category's top project automatically earns a spot in the Top 5: Individual - Student - Team. The other two spots are open and will go go next highest-rated projects, regardless of category.​


The judges panel will consist of 6 industry experts using a point based system using the following criteria:​           

1. Aesthetic Quality - Is the concept’s form pleasant to look at?           
2. Differentiation - Is the concept "fresh" & unique?    ​           
3. Functionality -Does the concept meet the criteria of the families needs?  Does it consider all elements site analysis? 
4. Realization Possibility - Is the concept buildable if the client decided to move forward with construction? ie. topographically, features, function​


Finalists/Prizes

The Million Dollar Pool Design Challenge finalists receives:​

  • Airfare (up to $350)
  • $150 stipend
  • 2 hotel room nights (booked by show management)
  • Complimentary Super Pass 
  • Cash Prize: $3,000 for 2nd Place; $1,250 for 3rd Place; $750 for 4th Place; $500 for 5th Place

The Million Dollar Pool Design Challenge winner receives:​

  • Airfare (up to $350)
  • $150 stipend
  • 2 hotel room nights (booked by show management)
  • Complimentary Super Pass 
  • Customized Trophy
  • Invitation to sit on judges panel in the following year​
  • Cash prize: $10,000 for first place, provided by Riverflow Pumps by Current Systems, Lead Sponsor of the Million Dollar Pool Design Challenge

The winner can be voted on by the attendees of a design class at the 2022 PSP/Deck Expo. After video presentations of final designs, the class will vote via ballot on the top designer. This vote will serve as a strong influence used by the judges panel to ultimately select the winner. The top four scores from judging to determine the finalists; they can be individuals or team entries.


Young Professionals

The Million Dollar Design Challenge has partnered with the PHTA WAVE Network to sponsor a young professional (under 29 years of age at time of submission). Young professionals will be entered within the general competition and will be eligible to win multiple spots in the design competition, with one guaranteed spot.

The selected finalist's design work will be presented at this year's  PSP/Deck Expo, along with the other finalists.

If the YP is a student, they may work as an individual or do it as a group project. If you choose to enter it as a group project, you must submit it under one student name and he/she will list the others in the group. The named student will be the presenter at the class & will receive any awards and/or airfare & tickets to the show. The whole group may be in the video presentation.

See the Contest Entry Rules for submitting files and to receive contest scenario.   

The student design will be included in the class vote for the "Top Designer" award along with the other finalists. 

PHTA WAVE Young Professionals Category Winner will receive:

  • Up to $350 credit for airfare
  • Free Conference Super Pass for PSP/Deck Expo
  • Two hotel room nights (booked by show management)
  • $150 stipend
  • Design presented in "Million Dollar Pool Design Challenge" class
  • Exposure in leading industry print & digital forms

The winning designers will take home a cash prize of:

  • 1st Place – $10,000 (Sponsored by Riverflow Pumps by Current Systems)
  • 2nd Place – $3,000
  • 3rd Place – $1,250 
  • 4th Place – $750
  • 5th Place – $500

Designers can win a top prize of $10,000 thanks to Lead Sponsor,
Riverflow Pumps by Current Systems.

One of the five spots is guaranteed to a young professional (Age 29 or below at time of submission), whose trip to PSP/Deck Expo will be sponsored by PHTA WAVE Young Professionals Network.

Special Thanks

The PSP/Deck Expo extends its thanks to design challenge creators, Mike Farley and Reid Schindler.

Reid Schindler, SchindlerDesignCo.

Mike Farley, Farley Designs