Tag Archives: pool

The folds of this fluid structure cradles a staircase & houses a zen pool!

Posted on by

Believe it or not, Fold House is a reincarnation of a historic guesthouse that was lost to fire. PARTISANS breathed new life into the space by designing a residential property that folds into the contours of a scenic hillside in Ontario. The two-story structure flaunts bold curves and is constructed from wood and steel that matches the topography of the environment. The Toronto-based architecture firm has centered its entire design around the swimming pool which is a poetic way to erase the memory of the fire incident.

The star of the house – a zen pool pavilion – sits on the lower part of the hill with a sweeping 80-foot long by 10-foot tall sliding glass façade that immerses the property into the views offered by the natural surroundings. Fold House’s fluid form surprisingly hides a 90-foot steel structural beam that is responsible for creating the cantilevered canopy and giving the illusion of a  floating front pavilion. The roof is shaped like a wave and covered with a lush green carpet to provide natural cooling. This wave is visible inside as well as outside, kind of like an architectural ribbon that ties up the house. My favorite part was how the trough of the wave (lowest point) holds the external steel staircase creating a smooth slope in the white oak ceiling of the pool room.

For the house’s façade, PARTISANS used compression-bent wood which was also carried into its interior design. Compression-bent wood is usually not deployed at this scale, in fact, this artisanal fabrication technique is mainly used on furniture and musical instruments adding yet another unique element to the Fold House. Since the structure is nestled in nature, a 3D scan was performed to fine-tune its positioning so the environmental impact could be minimized and escarpment regulations of the area could be followed. The windows have also been placed in a checkerboard pattern to maximize sunlight throughout the year and reduce solar gain in the summer months. Fold House is the ultimate dreamy, minimal, home!

Designer: PARTISONS

In Case of Emergency, Your Airplane Can Be Used as a Flotation Device

Posted on by

Unless you happen to be in a seaplane, if your airplane lands in the water, you’re probably in big trouble. The only other exception is if your airplane is actually an inflatable pool float, like this air-filled jumbo jet.

Unlike the floatation devices you find under your seat on an airplane, M Mark’s airplane float is big enough to hold up to seven people. That’s a far cry from the hundreds most jumbo jets can carry, but it’s way more than the average pool float too. Now you just need to find a swimming pool that’s big enough for this thing to land in. Perhaps a lake would be a better idea.

The floating airplane is made from heavy-gauge PVC, and should prove pretty seaworthy as long as you don’t carry any toothpicks, thumbtacks, or skewers in your swimsuit. While its $233 price tag might seem steep for a pool float, it’s way less than a round trip ticket from Chicago to the Bahamas these days.

[via Born in Space]

Check out Some Cool Pool Tricks and Domino Mazes

Posted on by

Hevesh5 (aka Lily Hevesh) has a ton of patience when it comes to setting up dominoes. She recently put together a video which combines falling dominoes with pool shots, and the end result is pretty damn cool.

All I know is that these shots must have taken a long time to set up. She’s a real pool shark, a hustler, a domino diva. This puts a whole new twist on that game of pool I was going to play tonight. Now I feel like I have to set up some elaborate domino structures just to compete.

There are some failures along the way here, like the one on the air hockey table, but mostly impressive wins. Some of these even go from air hockey table to pool table. Others use multiple pool tables. It looks like a lot of fun, but I wouldn’t want to be the one who has to clean all of those dominoes up after a day of this kind of fun.

Great job, Lily. This kind of thing takes careful planning and precision with the strategic placement of every single domino. You have to be good with a pool cue too.

[via Laughing Squid via Geekologie]

More Awesome Stuff for You to Click On:

The Float-Tea is a Pool Float for Your Tea Cup
Racing Toy Cars on a Treadmill Looks Like More Fun Than NASCAR
This Robot Perfectly Skips Stones
Domino’s Is Fixing America’s Roads to Improve Pizza Delivery
What Amazon Would Have Been Like in the ’80s

The Float-Tea is a Pool Float for Your Tea Cup

Posted on by

With the recent cold snap here in the midwest, I’ve been downing cups of tea like they’re going out of style. At times, I even imagine taking a swim in some chai or mint tea since it smells so good. Of course, if you’re going to fill a swimming pool with tea, you’re going to need some pool floaties. Or is that Float-Teas?

The wacky minds over at Fred came up with these cute and clever tea infusers that look like inflatable pool floats. But not to worry about keeping these ones filled with air. They’re actually made from stainless steel, and offer a compartment inside for your loose tea. Simply fill, and float in a mug of hot water, and your mini pool will soon be filled with a delightfully-fragrant beverage.

The Float-Tea is available in pink flamingo, unicorn, and swan designs, and they’re just $15 each from Fred. Now if only tea water was blue or green instead of brown…

More Awesome Stuff for You to Click On:

Shark Tea Bags: We’re Gonna Need a Bigger Cup!
Water Your Lawn with a Giant Dinosaur Sprinkler
Star Trek Captain’s Tea Set Is Perfect for Starfleet Tea Parties
Pink Coffin Pool Float Is for the Cheerful Goth
This Flask Looks Like a Popsicle

Luxury resort bans gadgets at swimming pool to create guest ‘haven’

Posted on by
Look, as great as it is to have all these fancy laptops and smartphones around us, sometimes we can become too attached to them. And when you're on vacation, you just have to find a way to break free from technology. That's why a luxury resort in Bal...

NES Controller Pool Float: Press “Start” to Swim

Posted on by

It’s getting a bit too cold here in Chicago to even think about going for a swim, but I’m pretty sure lots of us will be heading to warmer points South this winter for vacation. And if you’re going somewhere with a swimming pool, you’ll want to bring a pool float. It’s dangerous to float alone. Take this.

There are lots of cool pool floats out there, but they often sacrifice utility and comfort for their design, with strange and awkward shapes like bananas or poop emoji. On the other hand, this pool float takes advantage of the rectangular shape of the classic NES controller. Sure, it wasn’t the most ergonomic shape for a gamepad, but it makes a great floating mattress. Plus, it looks cool doing it.

If you’re a Nintendo fan, you must have one of these the next time you hit the pool.  It’s just $24.99 over at Craziest Gadgets. Now if only they made this Super Mario swim suit for adults…

More Awesome Stuff for You to Click On:

FC Pocket HDMI Combines Portable Famicom Gaming with HDMI Output
Retro-Bit RES+ NES Console Review: HDMI Adds Sharp Visuals to Classic Nintendo Games
Gamer Tries to Beat Super Mario Bros. Without Coins, Kills, or Items
Classic NES Box Art Now on Canvas
Japanese NES Classic Edition Gets Shoved Into an Old Game Boy

The FrogLog Saves Wildlife from Swimming Pools

Posted on by

It’s not something we think about, but our pools can be a real danger to wildlife. The $30 FrogLog aims to help with this problem. It’s an inflatable escape ramp that attaches to the side of a swimming pool so that small animals that find their way into in the pool can get back out and not die.


If you own a pool, the FrogLog is a good idea – if you care about wildlife that is. If you don’t than you are a big meanie. Even the meanest of you would still get sick of fishing dead frogs and lizards out of your pool, I imagine.

So get a FrogLog. It Just sounds cool on your tongue. FrogLog… FrogLog… Now it has loss meaning. FrogLog. Nope, still sounds awesome.

[via Bored Panda via Geekologie]

More Awesome Stuff for You to Click On:

Ultimate Epic Battle Simulator: 20 T-Rexes vs 10,000 Chickens
What Is My Purpose? You Spray Kitties.
Under the Skin of Spy in the Wild’s Animatronic Creatures
Scientists Prove Dogs Understand Human Words
Animatronic Shark Swims in a Hotel Pool

14 Ridiculously Awesome Pool Floats You Want to Get This Summer

Posted on by

Summer is in full swing, and that means it’s hot outside! With those 100 degree days upon us, it’s time to hit the pool! And what’s better than relaxing poolside? Relaxing inside the pool! On a float of course. I love pool floats; they’re comfy, fun, and perfect for sunbathing on.

I’m so excited for all the summer fun that pool floats provide and I’ve made a list of my favorite 14 pool floats that you should try out this summer! If you can’t find one you love here, remember there’s lots more out there to look at! You can find pool floats anywhere and everywhere during the summer!

Watermelon Pool Float


Fruity and fun, this round pool float is a summer treat. Make sure you’re sipping on a watermelon smoothie or munching on a watermelon slice while you sit in the sun in the pool while lounging on your pool float.

Unicorn Pool Float


This float is absolutely fabulous! It’s really hard to pick an absolute favorite on this list, but if I had to pick one, it might just be this unicorn. It’s perfect for kids with an active imagination and those of you adults who just want some fab fun in your summer.

Tiger Pool Float


Another animal float, this time better suited for those with more adventurous sides. It’s cute, wild, and perfect for floating down the lazy river at the water park. Pretend you’re in the jungle, surrounded by real tigers. (Unless you’re scared of real tigers, maybe it’s better to just keep thinking of it as a lazy river.)

Pretzel Pool Float


Yum, another food float! I know I get hungry when spending an afternoon at the pool. Perhaps a good, salty, savory pretzel is in order? Someone go get me pretzel bites, those things are delicious. Ever go to the mall and get a cup of those? Sorry, I’m getting off-topic. This pool float is twisty fun.

Popsicle Pool Float


What’s better than floating in the pool? Floating in the pool while snacking on a popsicle! For the really burning hot days, popsicles are a perfect treat. Jump off your popsicle pool float and get into the water to cool off if you’re still hot. Or dump a box of popsicles on your head. That should do the trick.

Pizza Pool Float


Who doesn’t love a nice slice of pizza? It’s hot, greasy, and melts in your mouth. All that delectable cheese, pepperoni, sausage, sauce, yum yum. I’m not so sure I’d want to eat a slice of pizza in the pool, but maybe this pizza pool float will suffice.

Pineapple Pool Float


Raise your hand if you like pineapples! Sorry, my hand’s not raised. I don’t really understand the appeal of this yellow fruit, and I definitely don’t understand the people who put it on pizza, but I’m a huge fan of this pool float. It’s absolutely adorable!

Pegasus Pool Float


Pegasus vs unicorn, they’re both fictional, mythical creatures. They’re both majestic and I wish they were real, but which one is better? Well, the pegasus can fly, so it’s obviously better, right? Whatever your choice is, you have to admit that this pool float is amazing. It will automatically transport you to a fictional land.

Giraffe Pool Float


I can’t wait to jump in the pool and wrap my arms around this giraffe. It’s so lovable looking, like it just needs a great big hug. Take this lovable giraffe to the watering hole in the Savannah (or your local city pool.)

Flamingo Pool Float


This one is a classic. I see flamingo pool floats everywhere, and for good reason! They’re bright, pink, eye-catching, and they’re sure to be the talk of the pool. Your neighbors will be envious when they see you on this flamingo pool float. While you’re at it, get some flamingo lawn ornaments. Those are still popular, right?

Donut Pool Float


Mmm, there’s so much good food on this list. I mean…good pool floats. Who can resist this donut? It’s too eatable looking to be a pool float right? I’m going to go grab a donut and I’ll be right back. Someone finish inflating this float for me.

Cactus Pool Float


Be careful, you don’t want to get poked. Oh wait, it’s just a cactus pool float! Keep it away from a real cactus though, or you might be in for some trouble. Keep some duct tape on hand, you know, just in case…you don’t want to get into a prickly situation.

Banana Pool Float


Bananas are by far my favorite fruit. They’re so sweet, and as far as food aesthetics go, I think they’re pretty good-looking. Until they get too spotty though, and by the time they’re brown, it’s time for banana bread! Anyway, since I’m on the subject of bananas, take a look at this banana pool float. It’s banana slammin’ goodness.

Avocado Pool Float


Avocados are one of the healthiest foods on the planets, and unlike some other healthy foods, they actually taste great! Put them on sandwiches, burgers, salads, toast, even eat them all alone! They’re that good! And while you’re at it, eat an avocado while lounging in the sun on this avocado pool float! Are you being extra healthy if you lounge on an avocado? Do you absorb the avocado’s powers? Just kidding.

Did you see a pool float that caught your eye? Yes? Well, what are you waiting for? Go out and grab that thing and get in the pool! Get off the couch and stop reading this! It’s time to go outside, summer is calling! I hope you have a wonderful summer and lots of fun at the pool on your brand new awesome pool float.