Emergency exit

A water body in the Mediterranean landscape is not only appreciated by humans; it is also extremely attractive to wildlife looking to quench their thirst, especially on hot days when temperatures reach high levels. Generally speaking, a natural swimming pool serves this function, whether for birds or four-legged animals.

While almost all mammals can swim – even those less inclined toward the activity, like the little rabbit in the photo – animals that courageously cross a conventional pool or pond may struggle to get out due to high banks or slippery liners. In a natural swimming pool, the situation is different: the planted margins cover the entire edge of the liner and surround the water body, providing exit points around the entire perimeter of this artificial ecosystem.

In more architectural natural swimming pools, the issue of steep edges remains, but having an adjacent planted margin area resolves the problem. Aware of this challenge, we have already designed animal escape routes integrated directly into the coping. Using specifically shaped stones with a bush-hammered finish, small animals like snakes, toads, turtles, hedgehogs, and others can climb out of the natural swimming pool on their own.