There’s no better way to embrace spring than by creating the ultimate backyard retreat. A pool house isn’t just an auxiliary structure, it’s an extension of one’s lifestyle. It’s an ideal private oasis that blends relaxation, entertainment, and seamless indoor-outdoor living. Gone are the days when pool houses were merely storage spaces for towels and pool equipment. Today, with the incorporation of opening glass doors, they are designed to function as fully integrated extensions of the home—serving as ADUs, guesthouses, entertainment hubs, private fitness studios, or even productive work-from-home spaces. But what truly takes these spaces to the next level?
Beyond the Basics: Designing a Pool House with Purpose
With all-season folding and sliding glass wall systems, a pool house becomes a dynamic, light-filled sanctuary, offering transparency, flexibility, and effortless indoor-outdoor living. Whether it’s a sleek aluminum framed retreat or a warm, wood aluminum clad escape, customizable opening glass doors can elevate every design. As travel costs rise, homeowners are embracing the idea of resort-style living at home now more than ever. A beautifully designed space with wide opening glass doors creates the ultimate staycation—imagine a space that transforms from a shaded lounge to an open-air pavilion, where guests seamlessly transition from the bar to the poolside terrace. Unlike traditional poolside spaces that can only be used in certain seasons, these energy-efficient glass systems, weather-resistant seals, and adaptable configurations provide comfort and functionality for spaces all year long. These fully customizable systems help redefine what a pool house can be, making every project as unique as the home it complements.
Pinnacle of Pool House Design: Transformative Spaces with NanaWall
Whether you envision a sleek modern retreat or a resort-inspired cabana, these three pool house projects illustrate how NanaWall systems elevate spaces to unparalleled heights. Read on to see how these innovative opening glass doors redefine the possibilities of poolside design, providing transparency, functionality, and year-round weather performance.
The Charlotte Pool Cabana: A Gold-Winning Masterpiece
This Charlotte pool cabana in NC may be the epitome of indoor-outdoor luxury, designed with versatility and year-round functionality in mind.Architect Alison Hall, in collaboration with GC Design Build Crystal Nagel Design Tideline Pools IDE Structural Engineers, and Kareena Gray, crafted a space that functions as a cozy retreat and a fully open-air pavilion. It’s no surprise this home won the 2024 NanaWall NanaAwards Gold for Best Pool House Design. Photography by Katy Perry, Ascendant Imaging.
Seamless Indoor-Outdoor Flow: The five-panel folding SL60 system creates an uninterrupted transition between the cabana’s interior lounge and the outdoor pool and kitchen area.
Year-Round Comfort: Weather performing double-glazed panels with Low-E coating maintains interior warmth during cooler months while minimizing heat gain in the summer.
Fully Customizable Aesthetic: This custom design was selected among 50 standard and over 200 powder coat colors to ensure the aluminum-framed system enhances the cabana’s modern aesthetic.
“The interior space itself isn’t huge. However, when the NanaWall is fully opened, the inside and outside spaces act as one, which is exactly what we wanted. We loved using the NanaWall because we had a small space, and we wanted some indoor space and some outdoor space. And when they're entertaining large groups, they can just open the NanaWall and inside becomes outside.” – Architect Allison Hall
Branch Brook Indoor Pool: A Silver-Winning Architectural Marvel
Designed to seamlessly blend a half-Olympic-sized indoor lap pool with the lush Connecticut landscape, this project by Wadia Associates is a breathtaking testament to modern indoor-outdoor integration. A stunning 117-foot-wide single track sliding HSW60 system ensures that when the opening glass doors are fully open, the space feels completely immersed in nature. This design won the 2024 NanaWall NanaAwards Silver for Best Pool House.
Expansive Openings: The 117-foot-wide system eliminates barriers, offering a nearly invisible transition between the indoor pool and the outdoor landscape.
Minimalist Frame Profiles: NanaWall systems’ slim profiles ensure unobstructed views year-round, whether open or closed.
Effortless Functionality: The system’s panels glide effortlessly into custom parking bays, requiring no motors or electronics.
“After looking at numerous systems and manufacturers, we chose NanaWall for the relatively minimal profiles, the practical head and sill conditions, and the ease of operation that would allow our client to open and stow two very long panel groupings without the use of motors or electronics. An absolute dream to occupy in all seasons. When fully open, the relationship of the pool with the outdoors is magical. When closed, the views are wonderful, and one truly enjoys the best of both worlds.” – Wadia Associates
Additional Note Worthy Pool House Designs with Opening Glass Doors
The Loloi Pool House: A Modern Entertainer’s Dream
Designed by Shaw Building Group, this pool house is an indoor-outdoor entertainer’s dream. The homeowners sought an elegant yet highly functional space to host gatherings while seamlessly connecting the interiors with the surrounding outdoor areas. The use of an aluminum clad over solid wood folding system was pivotal in achieving this goal, creating vast, flexible openings without compromising durability or performance. The natural energy-efficient wood elements complement the home’s existing architecture while providing the strength of aluminum. Thoughtfully designed as a multifunctional space, the pool house serves as a lounge, bar, and entertainment hub, adaptable to various hosting needs year-round.
“The client wanted a pool house that would function as an entertaining space to host parties and cohesively connect the interior and exterior spaces. The client loves every aspect of the pool house, starting with the doors.” – Brian Shaw, Shaw Building Group.
A Seamless Entertainment Hub: The St. Louis Pool House
Merging the lines between indoor and outdoor entertaining, this Creve Coeur, MO pool house reimagines functionality with a combination of full-height and windowed glass systems. Designed for effortless hosting, the SL60 folding glass wall expands the living space outward, while an HSW60 stacking countertop system seamlessly connects the bar to the poolside terrace. Whether hosting summer gatherings or enjoying a quiet evening, the design provides uninterrupted access to fresh air and natural light, all while maintaining energy efficiency and effortless operation year-round. Submitted by homeowner Tom Egan to the 2024 NanaAwards, this project exemplifies how NanaWall transforms pool house designs into adaptable, high-performance retreats. Engineered to withstand Midwestern climate fluctuations, these weather-resistant systems ensure effortless operation through all seasons.
Traditional Design Meets Indoor-Outdoor Living in Lake Forest
An homage to classic elegance, a timeless pool house design in Lake Forest, IL, embraces indoor-outdoor flow without compromising its traditional aesthetic. The Generation 4 NW Clad 740 Folding Glass Door System with simulated divided lites preserves architectural charm and integrity, creating a seamless extension of the main home. Designed with two window systems and a full-height folding glass wall, this poolside retreat maximizes views while offering controlled ventilation and easy transitions between spaces. Submitted by the expert team at AIM Group Construction to the 2024 NanaAwards, this project highlights the ability of NanaWall systems to merge heritage design with contemporary innovation.
The Palatine Pool House: Indoor Pool Meets Open-Air Living
Designed to embrace seasonal versatility, the Palatine Pool House integrated a Generation 4 NW Aluminum 840—to fully optimize an indoor pool space for year-round use. The doors open wide to welcome natural airflow during warm months, while providing weather resistance and insulation in colder seasons. By ensuring uninterrupted views and effortless functionality, this Heartstone Custom Builders project, submitted to the 2024 NanaAwards, showcases the transformative power of NanaWall in creating a climate-responsive pool house that remains inviting in every season.
“The goal of the project was to create an open view and airflow for the indoor pool during the summer. The best door system that works in our harsh climate—it brought the outside in.” –Heartstone Custom Builders.
Final Thoughts
These projects highlight just a fraction of the transformative designs made possible with opening glass doors. Whether you envision a serene, spa-like retreat, a vibrant social hub, or a highly functional guest house, NanaWall helps redefine what a pool house can be. Capable of limitless possibilities, the beauty of NanaWall lies in its ability to adapt to any space, any aesthetic, and any vision. Whether your pool house is large or small, traditional or modern, these systems offer solutions that maximize light, functionality, and style—all while ensuring durability and ease of maintenance.
How will you transform your pool house this season? Discover even more design inspiration and explore more award-winning solutions like these by visiting the NanaWall inspiration gallery.
