Elevated ease: a 12m Fastlane Maxi lap pool for retired living.
Set against sweeping rural views, this elevated 12.3m Fastlane is a masterclass in engineering precision and architectural simplicity — part in-ground, part above-ground, and completely purpose-built for a low-maintenance retirement lifestyle.
"Elevated Ease" is a considered response to a life stage where simplicity, reliability, and enjoyment matter most. The pool seamlessly integrates into a sloping site through a hybrid structural solution — part in-ground with an engineered bond beam drop edge, and part fully out-of-ground, supported by Compass Pools' exclusive Maxi Rib system.
The brief
The clients required a pool that would integrate seamlessly into their property while providing a dedicated space for daily exercise. Above all, they wanted peace of mind — minimal maintenance, long-term durability, and effortless ownership.
Their priority was clear: a pool that enhanced their retirement lifestyle, not one that added work to it. They wanted an out-of-ground lap pool suitable for structured swimming and daily exercise, minimal maintenance and ongoing effort, long-term structural confidence, clean elegant aesthetics suited to a mature landscape, energy-efficient future-proof construction, and heating for a longer swimming season.
Hybrid in-ground / out-of-ground structural design
One of the most complex aspects of this project is that the pool is neither fully in-ground nor fully out-of-ground — it is a hybrid structural installation.
On the hillside (rear) side, the pool is integrated into the slope and constructed in-ground. This section incorporates an engineered bond beam, designed to provide structural reinforcement while forming a clean architectural drop edge. The bond beam manages soil retention and load transfer while maintaining the crisp linear aesthetic visible from the home.
On the exposed (front) side, the pool is fully out of the ground, elevated above the natural terrain. This section relies on Compass Pools' engineered Maxi Rib system, which provides exceptional structural rigidity and vertical load support.
This dual-condition installation results in a pool that is partially self-supporting and effectively free-standing along its exposed edge.
Compass Vantage self-cleaning
A central component of this project is Compass Pools' in-floor Vantage self-cleaning system. For retired homeowners, maintenance simplicity was essential. Vantage circulates and filters debris automatically, reduces manual cleaning requirements, improves water circulation for healthier water, minimises chemical use, and enhances overall water clarity. The result is a pool that remains consistently clean with minimal hands-on involvement — delivering true lifestyle freedom.
Site conditions and construction
The installation area sat on a sloping rural block with inconsistent soil profiles across the pool footprint. To ensure long-term stability and eliminate differential settlement risk, the site was carefully excavated and prepared to create a uniform, engineered foundation. A compacted sand and cement base was constructed to provide a level, stable and consistent bearing surface for the shell — critical in delivering even load distribution across the entire structure, particularly given the partially elevated installation.
Architectural alignment
Rather than dominating the site, the pool has been designed to sit in quiet alignment with the home and the rolling hills beyond. The 12m Fastlane Maxi runs parallel to the home's long veranda, reinforcing the horizontal architecture of the residence. This deliberate alignment creates a strong visual axis that draws the eye outward — from interior living spaces, across the pool's clean waterline, and into the distant treetops and hills.
The pool's linear form mirrors the natural horizon, creating a seamless connection between built structure and landscape. The result is calm, ordered, and timeless.
