Some pool installations are straightforward. Others require cranes, creative engineering and a whole lot of determination. The May 2026 Aviva Pools Pool of the Month is the latter, and the result is nothing short of breathtaking.
A Vision Worth Fighting For
Nestled in the Vintage Oaks community of New Braunfels, in the heart of Comal County, Texas, The Apex 40 from Aviva Pools in Santorini Sky is proof that the right pool builder can turn obstacles into opportunities. The homeowners had a clear vision: a 40-foot pool, a spillover spa, a water feature and a finished space their family could enjoy for years to come. What they did not anticipate were the layers of complexity that stood between that vision and reality. To their great fortune, they had chosen a pool builder who does not back down from a challenge.
AT A GLANCE
- Award Winner: The Apex 40 pool in “Santorini Sky” was named the Aviva Pools May 2026 Pool of the Month.
- The Project Team: The pool was installed in the Vintage Oaks community of New Braunfels, Texas, by AquaPools, a San Antonio-area builder that installs roughly 300 pools annually.
- HOA Workaround: To comply with strict HOA line-of-sight restrictions on a lot that sloped nearly four feet, the team engineered a precise two-retaining-wall system to keep the pool within acceptable sight lines.
- Logistical Obstacles: Because there was no rear entry to the backyard, the crew used a neighbor’s driveway for access and brought in a crane to lift the 40-foot fiberglass pool shell and “Oracle” spillover spa over the roofline of the two-story home.
- Design & Features: The completed backyard features travertine coping, split-face stone accents, a concrete deck, and four underwater lights.
- Pool Specifications: The pool is equipped with a saltwater sanitization system, a heat pump, and a full suite of Hayward pool equipment.
Working With the HOA
The first hurdle was the homeowners association. Because the property slopes nearly four feet from front to back, the pool shell would have risen too far above grade, violating line-of-sight restrictions that protect neighboring properties. The HOA was firm, and the original plan had to change.
AquaPools salesman Paul Tammaro and his crew went back to the drawing board. Their solution was precise and elegant: split the grade challenge into two retaining walls, one turned up on one end and one turned down on the other. The structural workaround kept the pool within acceptable sight lines without compromising the design. The HOA signed off, the neighbors were satisfied and the project was cleared to move forward.
Getting the Pool In
Clearing the HOA was only the beginning. The second challenge was physical access. The property had no rear entry wide enough to accommodate a 40-foot fiberglass shell, and the only path to the backyard ran across a neighbor’s driveway. That solved the approach, but it still left the pool with nowhere to go except up and over.
The AquaPools crew brought in a crane, carefully lifted the Apex 40 shell along with The Oracle spillover spa up and over the roofline of the two-story home and set both precisely into place in the backyard below. It is the kind of move that requires meticulous planning, a skilled crew and nerves of steel.
The Finished Product
Once the shell was in the ground and the walls were built, the real artistry began. Travertine coping wraps the perimeter of the pool and spa, while split-face stone accents on the spa and water feature add natural texture and visual depth. The surrounding concrete deck provides generous space for outdoor furniture, and the lounges visible in the photos make it clear this family intends to use every square foot.
Inside the water, the Santorini Sky finish delivers a crisp, inviting tone that shifts beautifully with the Texas light throughout the day. Four underwater lights carry that beauty into the evening hours. The pool is fully heated via a heat pump, operates on a saltwater sanitization system and runs on a complete suite of Hayward equipment. Every detail was designed for comfort, ease of maintenance and long-term enjoyment.
A Fiberglass Pool Team that Delivers
Tammaro has been in the pool business long enough to know that a great installation comes down to the people doing the work. AquaPools, based in the San Antonio area, installs approximately 300 pools per year, and the craftsmanship on display in New Braunfels reflects the standard they hold themselves to on every job.
“Our crews are top notch,” Tammaro said. “Those guys make it happen.”
That crew navigated HOA negotiations, a neighbor’s driveway, a crane lift over a two-story home and a sloping lot without missing a beat. The homeowners waited patiently and were rewarded with a backyard that exceeded every expectation.
Aviva Pools congratulates AquaPools on an outstanding installation and is proud to name this Apex 40 the May 2026 Pool of the Month.
Pool At a Glance
Pool Model: Apex 40 Color: Santorini Sky Location: New Braunfels, Texas (Vintage Oaks, Comal County) Dealer: AquaPools Spa: Oracle spillover spa Heating: Heat pump Sanitization: Saltwater Lighting: Four pool lights Coping: Travertine with split-face stone accents Deck: Concrete Equipment: Hayward
