The Million Dollar Pool Design Challenge

A key show feature of Pool Spa Patio Expo is the Million Dollar Pool Design Challenge, an annual competition where the industry's top watershape designers go head-to-head in front of a live audience to envision a dream backyard with a lavish million-dollar budget.

Designers must merge imagination with practicality, and balance luxury with functionality.

These elaborate backyard designs are evaluated by a panel of experts who assess each entry based on creativity, aesthetics, sustainability, and optimal utilization of resources, where tradition meets a new wave of technology — and only the judges and audience decide the winner.

The deadline to apply is September 13, 2026

Apply Now

Scenario: Southern Delta

A historic delta property where timeless Southern hospitality, refined craftsmanship, and gracious outdoor living come together around a million-dollar pool.

The Siltstone Estate: Est. 2026

Aesthetics & View

Honor the historic architecture of the estate and preserve its southern soul
Blend refined interior rooms with graceful, timeless outdoor living spaces
Work with native delta vegetation, live oaks, and the natural lowland terrain
Favor custom craftsmanship and antique character over trendy, disposable design

Background

The Family: James & Eleanor Caldwell

Home: The Siltstone Estate

Region: Southern Delta, deep south

He does: Gulf coast resort family, preservation boards

She does: Interior designer

Loves: Antiques, French wine, bourbon, gardens

Known for: Crawfish boils, charity auctions, Thanksgiving

Elements to Include

Every submission must address the following program elements across the main estate and secondary structures.

Covered Back Porch

A generous, columned porch connecting the manor to the gardens and pool terrace.

Four-Car Garage

Ample covered parking for the family’s vehicles and event-day support.

Outdoor Kitchen & Bar

A large, fully equipped cooking and bar space for wine tastings, crawfish boils, and charity auctions.

Gazebo & Parterre Garden

A formal garden room with a gazebo for quiet retreats and small ceremonies.

Greenhouse, Vegetable Garden & Orchard

A greenhouse, vegetable garden, and orchard for the family’s love of gardening.

Guest Cottage & Pool House

A combined secondary structure under 1,000 sq ft for guests and pool-day amenities.

Grand Driveway Fountain

A stately arrival moment at the front drive with a fountain anchoring the entrance.

Bass Fishing Pond with Dock

A small, stocked pond with a dock sized for a small boat or canoe, ideal for quiet mornings on the water.

Courtyard Wellness Suite

A private walled courtyard with a spa, sauna, cold plunge, and fountain.

River Flow System

A BlueOrbit hydrotherapy system or a meandering lazy river.

Event Lawn

A lawn for outdoor tents, weddings, garden parties, and grand charity auctions.

Connected Pathways

Winding paths connecting the main house, cottage, pond, garden, and event areas.

Pickleball / Basketball Court

A dual-purpose court for casual competition and family gatherings.

Recreational Pool

A traditional-but-interesting pool shape with recreational depth and room for at least eight Ledge Loungers. Not a "boring" rectangle.

Large Family Spa

A spacious spa for family and guests to gather and unwind.

Catering Staging Area

A dedicated zone to support catering for events of up to 100+ guests.

Outdoor Movie Screen

A cinema setup for classic films and poolside movie nights.

Fire Pit

A welcoming fire feature for cool delta evenings and after-dinner conversation.

Guest Parking

Parking for six to eight vehicles during larger gatherings.

Secluded Gathering Spaces

Quiet nooks tucked into the landscape for intimate conversation and reflection.

Potted Flowers

Generous use of flowerpots throughout terraces, porches, and garden rooms.

Gathering Scale

Average events for 25 guests; large lawn events for 100 or more.

Submit Your Design

The Top 5 finalists take home cash & more!

The winner is influenced by attendee vote. After each finalist's video presentation during Mike & Reid's design class at the Expo, the class casts a ballot for Top Designer — a combination of the class votes and the judges vote determine the overall winner.

Enter now for a chance to become a finalist

Every finalist receives:

Airfare Credit
- Up to $350 credit toward airfare to New Orleans.
Travel Stipend
- Up to $150 reimbursement for travel incidentals and meals.
Conference Pass
- Free Conference Pass to PSP Expo 2026.
Hotel Stay
- Two-night hotel stay covering the core class dates (November 17–19, 2026).
Industry Exposure
- Coverage in leading industry print and digital publications.

Facts & Figures

Annual Edition

Live Finalists

Million

Minimum Budget

Live Judging

Wednesday, November 18th

About the Challenge

Mike Farley

Farley Designs

Reid Schindler

SchindlerDesignCo.

Two industry veterans, Reid Schindler, a decorated award winning watershape designer and Mike Farley, 30+ years designing award winning pools, teamed up with the International Pool Spa Patio Expo in Las Vegas this fall to see who the industry's top designers are! Will the new technology wave overcome tried and true methods, or will it be a combination of the two that sways the judges in their decision?

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