In the heart of a prestigious neighborhood in the suburb of Overland Park, Kansas, a remarkable transformation has taken place. Adam McGovern, owner of Prairieside Concepts, has created an extraordinary outdoor sanctuary featuring Aviva Pools‘ stunning Apex 35 in Gibraltar Grey. This masterpiece of modern pool design, winner of the January 2025 Pool of the Month, seamlessly integrates with its surroundings, establishing a new standard for sophisticated outdoor living in the region.
CUSTOM HOME EXPERTISE: bringing vision to life
When Adam McGovern and his team at Prairieside Concepts encountered this expansive backyard in Overland Park, they immediately recognized its potential. Drawing from his extensive background as a custom home builder, McGovern brought valuable insights to the project’s planning and execution. The homeowners, an active family of four, dreamed of creating a gathering space that would serve as their personal oasis for entertaining friends and family. With over 100 years of combined industry experience, the Prairieside Concepts crew was perfectly positioned to transform this vision into reality.

ENGINEERING EXCELLENCE: mastering the landscape
The project presented unique engineering challenges that showcased Prairieside Concepts’ technical expertise. The installation required a nearly eight-foot-tall foundation wall and an impressive 300 tons of gravel to achieve the perfect level surface. One of the project’s notable achievements was the seamless integration of the pool coping with the hidden automatic cover system, demonstrating the team’s attention to detail and technical prowess.
DESIGN INNOVATION: creating timeless beauty
The chosen Apex 35 in Gibraltar Grey from Aviva Pools serves as the centerpiece of this elegant outdoor space. The pool’s clean lines and sophisticated profile, outfitted with a full-width splash pad and full-length bench/entry steps, are complemented by Unilock pavers in varying shades of grey, creating a cohesive and contemporary aesthetic. Custom planter boxes, constructed with poured foundations and finished with thin brick veneer and stone caps, add architectural interest while framing the pool area.

LANDSCAPE ARTISTRY: perfecting the environment
The surrounding landscape design creates an ideal balance of texture and seasonal interest. Carefully selected hydrangea bushes, stately magnolia trees and sculptural boxwoods provide a lush backdrop that enhances the pool’s aesthetic appeal. Strategic landscape lighting around the sitting wall transforms the space after sunset, creating an enchanting atmosphere for evening entertaining.
POOL TECHNOLOGY: enhancing the experience
This installation goes beyond mere aesthetics, however. It also incorporates practical features that ensure year-round enjoyment. The saltwater chlorination system offers a gentle swimming experience, while the heating system extends the swimming season. The automatic pool cover provides both safety and convenience, seamlessly disappearing when not in use.
PROJECT COLLABORATION: achieving perfect harmony
For McGovern and business partner Mark Beaumier, this project highlights the ideal client collaboration. The homeowners’ sophisticated taste aligned perfectly with Prairieside Concepts’ design philosophy, resulting in a harmonious partnership throughout the project. As Kansas City’s premier outdoor living specialist, Prairieside Concepts brought their comprehensive expertise to every aspect of the installation, from the initial design through the final touches of the fire pit area and connecting walkways.
OUTDOOR LIVING MASTERY: delivering excellence
The success of this project reflects Prairieside Concepts’ commitment to excellence and their full-scale approach to outdoor living spaces. Their team’s dedication to innovative design, detailed planning and superior craftsmanship is evident in every aspect of this installation. From the precise engineering requirements to the thoughtful integration of landscape elements, this project showcases why they are trusted leaders in creating exceptional outdoor environments.

This January 2025 Pool of the Month winner from Aviva Pools demonstrates the perfect alliance between homeowner vision and professional execution. The result is more than just a pool. It’s also an upscale outdoor retreat that will provide years of enjoyment for this Kansas City family. Through careful attention to detail, technical expertise and a deep understanding of modern outdoor living, Prairieside Concepts has created a space that exemplifies the elegance and innovation that defines the Aviva Pools’ brand.
Transform your backyard into an award-winning outdoor retreat with a backyard pool from Aviva Pools. As showcased in this stunning Apex 35 installation, our pools combine innovative design with timeless elegance to create the perfect centerpiece for your outdoor living space. Ready to begin? Contact your local Aviva Pools dealer today to explore our collection and start designing your own private sanctuary.