Pool Houses

POOL HOUSES
Pool houses have never been mere utility structures—places to store swimming gear or provide a changing room. From the outset, they have held a special allure, designed to complement a significant status symbol: the swimming pool itself. Unsurprisingly, the architecture of pool houses has always been given careful consideration.

In the United States, pool houses emerged as an integral part of luxurious leisure living during the 1920s, particularly in the sun-drenched regions of California and Florida. Far from being purely practical, they became social hubs—places for relaxation, entertaining, and displaying a refined lifestyle. The architectural styles favoured by the wealthy often drew from Mediterranean, Spanish Colonial, and classical European influences, radiating warmth and elegance while suiting the Californian climate perfectly.

One of the most iconic examples is the pool house at Hearst Castle in San Simeon, California. Designed in the Spanish Colonial style, it features intricate mosaic tiles, classical columns, and an enviable location overlooking the pool—a perfect embodiment of luxury with a Mediterranean flair. Equally famous is the pool house at the O’Neill House in Beverly Hills, inspired by Gaudí’s organic forms. Its flowing lines and vibrant colours create an atmosphere that is as playful as it is sophisticated.

Another notable example of Mediterranean style is the pool house at Adamson House in Malibu, California. Adorned with colourful ceramic tiles and graceful arches, it perfectly captures the essence of the Spanish Colonial era. These pool houses were far more than functional spaces—they were settings where families and friends gathered to enjoy the Californian sun in an exclusive, stylish environment.

Exclusive Steel Pool Houses for Your Garden
The pool houses of the HOFHEIM Collection embrace diverse design elements to create truly extraordinary architecture—a fitting stage for the grandeur of your swimming pool. Whether you choose NEWBURY PORT, THE BREMO, PALL BEACH, BRISSAGO, or the PISCINA PALLA, each steel pool house is distinctive and unique. Transform your swimming pool into a statement piece—buy yours today.

The “Pool Boy” Mythos
Pool houses often evoke images of indulgence and freedom—places where social norms are momentarily suspended. They symbolise hidden desires, intimate encounters, and the allure of discovery.

Perhaps no figure embodies this symbolism more than the “pool boy.” As an outsider with access to the private world of the elite—yet never fully part of it—the pool boy has become a cultural archetype associated with temptation and seduction. This trope often intertwines with themes of voyeurism, as the pool boy is transformed from service provider to object of fascination.

The seclusion of the pool house makes it the perfect setting for encounters away from prying eyes. Within its luxurious surroundings, boundaries blur, and conventional standards are quietly set aside. In literature and popular culture, both pool houses and pool boys have come to represent discretion, desire, and the conscious transgression of social expectations.

Interestingly, the pool boy’s predecessor was the “lift boy” of Belle Époque luxury hotels—immortalised in Thomas Mann’s novella Felix Krull. Like the pool boy, the lift boy occupied a subordinate role at the heart of aristocratic society’s meeting places. His duties, while formally menial, often extended to far more subtle forms of service—anticipating the unspoken needs of guests with discreet efficiency.

Life is a Pool: How Swimming Pools Conquered the World
Following World War II, private swimming pools became increasingly popular in California, driven by the region’s ideal Mediterranean climate and post-war economic prosperity. Yet the trend had already taken root in the 1920s and 1930s, when Hollywood stars like Charlie Chaplin and Douglas Fairbanks commissioned grand pools as symbols of status and success.

It wasn’t just private pools that flourished—public and semi-public pools in hotels, clubs, and resorts quickly gained popularity, attracting guests eager to experience a touch of glamour. Landmark destinations like the Beverly Hills Hotel offered expansive pool areas, providing celebrities and travellers with the ultimate luxury experience. As post-war affluence spread, swimming pools became increasingly accessible to the middle class, especially in California’s burgeoning suburbs. Advances in construction—such as the development of Gunite concrete—reduced costs, making backyard pools a common sight.

The image of poolside leisure, amplified by films and media, spread worldwide. Swimming pools became synonymous with modernity, leisure, and the American Dream. Tourist hotspots like Palm Springs and Las Vegas built elaborate hotel pools, transforming them into destinations in their own right—complete with entertainment and lavish design. Unsurprisingly, the allure of the swimming pool soon reached Europe and beyond, where it became a universal symbol of prosperity and sophisticated living. Today, whether private or public, pools remain a hallmark of luxury—a trend that undeniably began under the Californian sun.

What Makes HOFHEIM Collection Steel Pool Houses Special?
The HOFHEIM Collection’s pool houses combine striking architecture with exceptional craftsmanship, providing the perfect backdrop for your swimming pool. Whether you opt for NEWBURY PORT, THE BREMO, PALL BEACH, BRISSAGO, or PISCINA PALLA, each steel pool house is a masterpiece in its own right. Transform your swimming pool into an artistic centrepiece—buy yours today and elevate your outdoor space to new heights.