What would you do with an additional parcel of land adjacent to your primary residence? In this case, the owners decided to design and construct a “resort spa” in their recently acquired back yard. First, there’s the pool house—a glowing gem with panels of gliding French doors that open to a terrace, lap pool, and expansive stretch of lawn. Other hospitable attractions: spa, bar, bath, and laundry room. Banks of skylights provide natural illumination.

Of special construction note: Controlling humidity in a wood-frame structure with an uncovered indoor pool required the installation of special systems to insure a healthy environment. Creative expertise also came into play when it was time to construct an underground cast-concrete vault to keep all mechanical equipment hidden from view.