Assoc. Prof. Dr. Deniz Aslan, who has signed countless projects in the fields of architecture, landscape architecture, urban design, and restoration for more than 35 years, is one of Turkey’s leading names both as an academic and as a Design Partner at DS Architecture. Taking part in prestigious projects such as Anda Barut Collection and Bayou Villas, Aslan emphasizes that pools hold a special place in landscape architecture.
In this interview, we listen to Aslan’s journey of discovering Serapool products, the value this collaboration has brought to his projects, and his vision for the future of pool design.
Deniz Aslan says they first encountered Serapool products in the Bayou Villas project:
“When we first started in the profession, we used more standard products for pools. We proceeded with details like classic cobalt edges and overflow channels. But with the Bayou Villas project, we had the opportunity to collaborate with Serapool. The tones achieved, especially with the reflection of light on the water, were truly magnificent.”
Aslan, who chose Serapool’s porcelain products for Bayou Villas, notes that they carried out intensive work with different textures and sizes during the project process:
“In our collaboration with Serapool, we evaluated around 120 textures. We worked intensively on different sizes and textures. As a result, we created a magnificent atmosphere with the tones of the water and light reflections. This process was highly instructive for me both in terms of design and application.”
Highlighting that pools contribute not only aesthetically but also functionally to spaces, Aslan draws attention to the following point:
“The pool is a powerful element that transforms a space both physically and psychologically. At Bayou Villas, the reflection created by the pool doubled the impact of the landscape.”
Aslan’s second major project is Anda Barut Didim. Here, the chosen Verde Guatemala series porcelain tiles were directly related to the geographical characteristics of the site:
“The natural color tones of Didim’s unique geography created a perfect harmony with Serapool’s products. Verde Guatemala porcelain pool tiles, especially at the point where the water meets the sea, offered an excellent texture and tonality. In this way, the pools established an organic connection with the surrounding natural landscape, creating an impressive atmosphere.”
Emphasizing the importance of quality, easy maintenance, and longevity in pool material selection, Aslan summarizes the advantage they achieved with Serapool products as follows:
“I love exposed concrete pools, but their maintenance is extremely challenging. With mosaics and natural stones, we faced issues such as algae formation, cracking, and standard problems. Thanks to Serapool’s porcelain products, we secured material quality and ease of maintenance. That’s why Serapool has become a very valuable solution partner for us in pool porcelain.”
Aslan envisions a future where water will be used more freely in designs:
“I want to create unlimited and free designs in pools. To get rid of the thickness of concrete, to design with thinner elements is a great dream. In the future, I would love to design pools that integrate with the sea; designs that interact with waves and are in harmony with the natural dynamics of water.”
Aslan also appreciates Serapool’s R&D efforts, noting the importance of such collaborations for the future of the sector:
“Serapool’s R&D has the potential to exceed industry norms. As both manufacturers and designers, we can explore collaboration opportunities that will further advance existing products.”
The most important point that stands out in Deniz Aslan’s projects is that Serapool products contribute not only aesthetically but also significantly from an engineering perspective. The durability, easy maintenance, and design variety offered by porcelain have brought a unique atmosphere to both the Bayou Villas and Anda Barut Didim projects.
In Aslan’s words:
“Serapool is not only an aesthetic but also an engineering-perfect solution partner for us. With the products it offers, it adds value to our projects and allows us to achieve excellent collaboration.”