There are luxury pools. And then there are Lucas Lagoons projects.

For more than a decade, Lucas Congdon has built a reputation as one of the most recognizable names in high-end custom pool design. Millions of viewers first discovered him through the hit television series Insane Pools, where elaborate grottos, towering waterfalls, hidden caves, massive rock formations, and resort-style backyards became his trademark.

What separated Congdon from many other celebrity pool builders wasn’t simply the scale of the projects. It was the way his pools felt immersive. The environments Lucas Lagoons created rarely looked like conventional backyard swimming pools. They looked more like private resorts hidden inside residential properties — spaces carefully designed to transport homeowners somewhere else entirely.

Over time, that philosophy evolved well beyond the kind of residential work that first made Congdon famous.

Today, Lucas Lagoons has become one of the industry’s go-to firms for immersive luxury aquatic environments, particularly when it comes to one specialty that very few builders in the country tackle at the same level: custom lazy rivers.

Not just residential lazy rivers either.

Commercial ones too.

In recent years, Congdon and his team have steadily expanded into boutique resort work, increasingly elaborate luxury residential compounds, and massive custom aquatic environments that blur the line between private backyard and full-scale destination experience. Along the way, Lucas Lagoons has developed a growing reputation for projects that combine entertainment, engineering, and escapism in ways few builders attempt.

That progression is perhaps best represented by Congdon’s newest feature project — a sprawling tropical-inspired backyard centered around an erupting volcano spa and a winding resort-style lazy river.

Before getting to the volcano project itself, however, Congdon reflected on another milestone build that helped establish Lucas Lagoons as a serious player in the commercial aquatic space: the massive renovation project at The Inn at Christmas Place in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.

Bringing a New Focus to Commercial Pools

When Pool Magazine last spoke with Congdon several years ago, the Christmas Place project was still deep in construction. Even then, it was obvious the scale and complexity of the build represented something very different from a traditional residential project.

“This is a hotel that obviously relies heavily on being open, and this is a heavy-duty construction project,” Congdon said.

Unlike a private residential backyard, the resort remained operational throughout much of the renovation process, forcing Lucas Lagoons to carefully phase construction while working around existing guests, infrastructure, utilities, and structural limitations buried throughout the property.

“There was a big water slide pool that was already there, tons of concrete decking, all kinds of infrastructure for the hotel — drainage lines, power — anything you could imagine was underneath the ground there,” he explained.

The completed project now features a large lazy river, multiple spas, extensive hardscaping, fire features, outdoor gathering areas, and naturalistic rockwork designed to blend seamlessly into the surrounding Tennessee mountain landscape. Congdon said the build also pushed the company creatively in several new directions, including the use of artificial snow effects designed to reinforce the property’s Christmas theme.

“We had never done artificial snow before,” he said. “We collaborated with a lot of different people we hadn’t worked with before and a lot of people that we had. But in the end, what an amazing project.”

The scale of the project also required significant logistical coordination. Congdon and members of his team spent extended periods living in Tennessee throughout the build, balancing the demands of construction with the realities of working inside an active hospitality environment.

“One of my partners Ross, the designer, he was there with his family for quite a while,” Congdon said. “A lot of sacrifice to be able to kind of move into Tennessee.”

The project ultimately became a major turning point for Lucas Lagoons because it demonstrated that the company’s immersive design philosophy could successfully translate into commercial hospitality work without losing the naturalistic aesthetic that made the brand famous in the first place.

Lazy Rivers Now Becoming a Hallmark

As the Christmas Place project gained attention, so did another aspect of Congdon’s work that has increasingly become one of the defining specialties of Lucas Lagoons: luxury lazy rivers.

Most commercial pools are designed around function and capacity. Congdon approaches them from an entirely different perspective.

“We’re trying to bring the sexy back,” he said.

That philosophy has become central to the company’s expansion into boutique resort and hospitality work. Rather than pursuing generic commercial projects, Lucas Lagoons has focused on environments that feel experiential — spaces designed to create atmosphere and emotional impact rather than simply serving as recreational amenities.

According to Congdon, creating those experiences in commercial construction comes with a completely different set of challenges than residential work.

“Commercial’s a different beast,” he explained. “There’s so many rules and regulations, and to be creative it takes a lot of thought because there’s just so many rules.”

Even so, Congdon believes too many commercial pools still feel sterile and uninspired.

“Most commercial pools are pretty plain Jane,” he said. “They’re just big bodies of water. There’s nothing really sexy about them.”

Lazy rivers fundamentally change that dynamic because they transform a swimming pool into an experience rather than simply a body of water. That shift has helped fuel increasing demand among both hospitality clients and luxury homeowners looking to recreate the feeling of a destination resort within a private residential setting.

That growing specialization eventually led to one of the company’s most ambitious and visually striking projects to date: the volcano pool.

This Backyard is Erupting With Creativity

At first glance, the volcano project feels less like a residential backyard and more like a private tropical resort hidden somewhere along the Hawaiian coastline. Towering palms surround a winding lazy river while carved tiki features, dramatic rockwork, immersive lighting, and dense landscaping create an environment that feels cinematic without becoming overproduced.

At the center of it all sits the feature that immediately commands attention: a massive erupting volcano spa designed to look and behave like a natural volcanic formation.

Surprisingly, Congdon says the project did not originally begin with that concept.

“It was starting out kind of a typical Lucas Lagoons with a grotto and a lazy river,” he explained. “The clients had just gone to Hawaii and got all inspired by volcanoes and the tikis and all the faces and stuff.”

Around the same time, Congdon himself had recently traveled to Hawaii and found inspiration in the islands’ volcanic terrain and dramatic natural stone formations. That shared inspiration gradually evolved into one of the most technically ambitious features Lucas Lagoons has ever attempted.

Building a Volcano Spa That Actually Feels Real

The volcano spa sits elevated above the lazy river system like a natural landform emerging from the landscape. Creating something believable, however, required careful restraint.

“We’re very careful not to have things look too themey or fake or contrived,” Congdon said. “Disney’s cool and everything, but we’re not Disney. We like things to really feel authentic.”

The project began with the construction of a raised spa shell positioned roughly five feet above grade. From there, the team built a massive artificial rock structure around it designed to convincingly replicate volcanic stone formations.

Interestingly, the project represented one of Lucas Lagoons’ first major departures from relying almost exclusively on natural stone.

“We’re best known for our natural stone,” Congdon explained. “But the same artist who helped us with the snow in Tennessee helped us carve that rock.”

The realism comes from an enormous amount of detail work. Water from the spa spills through carefully carved lava channels illuminated with embedded red lighting and crushed red glass to simulate glowing molten lava flowing down the surface of the volcano.

“We used this red glass and red lights,” he said. “As the water’s flowing down, it kind of looks like lava moving.”

The volcano even erupts.

A custom blower system periodically builds pressure before releasing bursts of water through the crater opening while integrated misters simulate rising volcanic smoke.

“Every so often it kind of erupts and pushes extra water out of the spa,” Congdon said.

Even the pathway leading to the spa was designed with realism in mind. Rather than using conventional stairs, the team created a winding artificial turf ramp designed to resemble a volcanic trail cutting through the terrain.

“I didn’t want to do stairs coming up because you would never see stairs on a volcano,” he explained.

The result is immersive and dramatic without becoming cartoonish, something Congdon clearly views as an important distinction.

“It looks so real, so authentic,” he said. “It’s not cheesy.”

Engineering the Ultimate Backyard Lazy River

While the volcano spa may be the visual centerpiece of the project, the lazy river itself remains equally impressive from an engineering standpoint.

Congdon says Lucas Lagoons continues taking on increasingly large and sophisticated lazy river projects, including one current build exceeding $10 million that features a 5,000-square-foot grotto, interconnected multi-level pools, acrylic viewing panels, cliff-jumping areas, plunge pools, and extensive resort-style hydraulic systems.

At that scale, the projects function more like private waterparks than traditional residential pools.

For the volcano project, Lucas Lagoons once again utilized Riverflow pump systems to achieve the aggressive current effect that gives the river its authentic resort feel.

“We’ve had a lot of luck with the product,” Congdon said. “It pushes a lot of water.”

According to Congdon, maintaining proper current flow throughout a lazy river requires far more planning than most people realize.

“If people really want the water moving, you really want a pump closer to every 50 to 75 feet,” he explained.

That attention to detail is one of the reasons Lucas Lagoons has increasingly become associated with luxury lazy river design at the highest level of the market.

The Next Evolution of Lucas Lagoons

As Lucas Lagoons projects have continued growing in both complexity and visibility, Congdon says he began noticing a recurring comment online from fans and prospective clients.

“‘If I ever hit the lottery, I’m calling you to build my pool.’”

That recurring sentiment helped inspire the company’s newest initiative: Designer Series Pools.

“These pools are pre-designed,” Congdon explained. “The idea is that all our custom jobs take a while to design and engineer.”

The Designer Series program offers pre-designed Lucas Lagoons pools ranging from roughly $250,000 to $750,000 while utilizing a growing network of authorized contractors around the country to build them locally under Lucas Lagoons guidance and standards.

The model significantly reduces travel, engineering, and logistical expenses while allowing the company to expand nationally without sacrificing quality control.

“When I was dragging my team all around the country building these pools, by the time you pay all the guys and the per diem and the travel, it’s an average of over $100,000 per job,” Congdon said.

The company currently has several authorized contractors operating within the program, with additional builders preparing to join in the near future.

“We started it just over a year ago,” Congdon said. “We already have five authorized contractors, and we’ve got almost ten more ready to go.”

Congdon says the program has allowed Lucas Lagoons to create a system where clients can still experience the company’s signature style and design philosophy while working with trusted builders in their own markets.

“We do our best to vet them all,” he said. “We go through their financials, make sure they’re not going to take a deposit and not be able to finish the job.”

For Congdon, the Designer Series represents more than simply scaling the Lucas Lagoons brand. It represents a way to bring the company’s immersive design philosophy to more homeowners while still maintaining the creativity and authenticity that helped make the brand successful in the first place.

And judging by the volcano pool now gracing the cover of Pool Magazine, Lucas Congdon is still finding new ways to push the boundaries of what luxury pool design can become.

Ready to take a deeper dive?

Listen to our entire discussion with Lucan Congdon on the Pool Magazine Podcast.

Pixel by Wow Design is a new porcelain format that reinterprets the language of mosaic through a precisely engraved grid, combining material continuity with visual richness.

Available in the Sukabumi, Marble, Sabil, and Vestige collections, Pixel demonstrates how a single geometry can transform the expression of different material concepts.

Designed for swimming pools, spas, and wellness interiors, Pixel transforms the interaction between water, light, and ceramics into surfaces of remarkable visual depth.

Pixel is born from the interaction between water, light, and ceramics. Designed for swimming pools, spas, and wellness interiors. The new format by WOW Design transforms reflections, texture, and colour into an experience defined by serenity and wellbeing.

Pixel introduces a new interpretation of the ceramic surface through a precisely engraved grid that transforms the perception of the material. Available across a selection of WOW Design collections, the new format combines the continuity of a 15×15 cm porcelain tile with the visual language of mosaic.

Although each tile is presented as a continuous surface, the engraved geometry creates small tesserae of approximately 3.5 x 3.5 cm, generating a new interaction between texture, light and colour.

The continuity of a tile. The visual richness of a mosaic.

Pixel’s precisely engraved grid brings a new dimension to the ceramic surface. In aquatic environments, the reflections and movement of water intensify this effect, enriching chromatic nuances and creating a richer perception of the material.

Designed for swimming pools, spas, wellness interiors, and other wet areas, Pixel responds to a growing demand for surfaces capable of bringing texture and visual richness to spaces shaped by water.

One format, multiple expressions.

Pixel is available in the Sukabumi, Marble, Sabil, and Vestige collections, preserving the identity of each while transforming its visual expression.

Inspired by the natural stone traditionally used in aquatic environments, Sukabumi finds a new chromatic intensity through Pixel, amplifying the vibrancy of its green tones and the movement of its reflections beneath the water. Marble translates the timeless elegance of marble into a more dynamic scale, where veins and mineral nuances acquire a renewed reading through the engraved grid.

In Sabil, the richness of the glazes and tonal variations takes centre stage, creating surfaces full of movement and nuance. Meanwhile, Vestige finds in Pixel a way to reinforce the expressive character of its textures inspired by the passage of time, enhancing both visual depth and the tactile quality of the material.

Scuppers have evolved far beyond their original purpose.

Once viewed primarily as simple water outlets or decorative spillways, they’ve become one of the most versatile design elements in modern pool construction. Today’s scuppers shape not only how a backyard looks, but how it sounds, flows, and feels. Designers are using them to create architectural rhythm, soften noisy environments, divide spaces, introduce movement, and completely transform the atmosphere of an outdoor living environment.

That shift was the focus of a recent Pool Magazine Podcast discussion with AquaBlu Mosaics’ Frank Vitori and The Outdoor Plus National Director of Sales Chuck Nitschke, who explored how scuppers are being used in today’s modern high-end pool projects — and what designers often get wrong when it comes to their use.

The Rise of Architectural Water Features

According to Vitori, modern pool design is becoming increasingly minimalist and intentional, with builders gravitating toward water features that reinforce strong geometric layouts and contemporary architecture.

“We’re seeing designers moving toward clean architectural lines and looking for accent pieces that really support that,” said Vitori.

That trend has fueled the rise of sheer descent-style scuppers and flush-mounted spillways designed to create uninterrupted sheets of flowing water. Rather than showcasing the hardware itself, the goal is often to make the water appear as though it’s emerging seamlessly from the wall.

“It creates a dramatic look of a long linear sheet of water flowing out of the wall into the pool,” Vitori explained.

The effect is sleek, modern, and highly architectural — but it’s also unforgiving when executed poorly.

What Designers Are Getting Wrong

Designers often underestimate the technical precision required to make scuppers perform correctly. Many installations fail not because of the product itself, but because of mistakes in planning, plumbing, placement, or execution.

Chuck Nitschke explained that sheer-style scuppers leave very little margin for error.

“If the water flow isn’t perfectly even or the unit isn’t designed right internally, you’re going to see breaks in that sheet, turbulence, or inconsistent flow,” said Nitschke. “That completely takes away from the aesthetic.”

Poor flow management is one of the most common issues. Underfeeding a scupper creates broken streams instead of a smooth sheet. Restrictive plumbing layouts, hard elbows, or poor water delivery can introduce turbulence before the water even reaches the feature.

Leveling issues are another major culprit.

“These features are not very forgiving,” said Nitschke. “If the scupper is even slightly out of level, the water is going to favor one side.”

That imbalance immediately disrupts the symmetry designers are trying to achieve.

Vitori agreed that even builders often overlook how sensitive these features are to installation details.

“The whole appeal to these sheer descents is that clean, undisturbed sheet of flowing water,” he said.

Another mistake discussed by both pros was overuse.

Scuppers can dramatically elevate a project, but too many competing water features can clutter a design instead of enhancing it. The most successful projects tend to use scuppers intentionally — integrating them into the architecture rather than scattering them throughout the space simply because they’re available.

Material mismatch also came up as a frequent design issue.

A modern stainless steel spillway may look out of place on a rustic Mediterranean build. Likewise, heavily ornamental copper scuppers may conflict with minimalist contemporary architecture. The key, according to both experts, is understanding the story the space is trying to tell and selecting a water feature that supports that aesthetic.

Rainfall Scuppers and the Rise of Immersive Design

At the same time, designers are getting far more creative with how scuppers are being used.

One of the fastest-growing trends in modern pool design has been the rise of overhead rainfall scuppers — systems that create vertical curtains of water rather than horizontal spillways.

“We’re seeing an increase in overhead installations,” said Vitori.

Unlike sheer descents, rainfall scuppers introduce texture and movement into a space. Instead of creating a sharp architectural line, they soften the environment and create a more immersive atmosphere.

What makes these features particularly interesting is how designers are using them to divide and shape outdoor living spaces.

“One of the great things we’re seeing with rainfall scuppers is the ability to create division of a space, but in a way that is aesthetically pleasing,” said Vitori.

Rather than installing physical walls or barriers, builders are using rainfall curtains to create subtle visual separation between swim areas, lounge spaces, outdoor kitchens, and entertainment zones. Because the falling water remains semi-transparent, the space still feels open while gaining definition and structure.

The effect has become especially popular in luxury backyard projects where homeowners want multiple functional “zones” without making the yard feel compartmentalized.

Using Water to Create Ambience

Rainfall scuppers also bring another important element into play: sound.

“That rainfall effect gives you more sound as it’s hitting the water, which is great for masking noise,” Nitschke explained.

In urban environments or properties near roads, designers are intentionally using rainfall features to drown out traffic and neighborhood noise. In quieter settings, the same effect creates a more spa-like atmosphere.

“You can absolutely use that same feature to create more of a relaxing, immersive space,” Nitschke added.

That idea of creating “experiences” rather than simply building pools came up repeatedly throughout the conversation.

For years, water features were often treated as standalone add-ons. A raised wall here. A spillway there. But today’s builders are increasingly thinking in layers — using multiple water elements together to shape the emotional tone of a backyard.

“A lot of builders are getting really creative,” said Nitschke. “They’ll combine that sheer descent for the architectural look and then use that rainfall scupper to soften it and add a little contrast.”

That layering effect has become one of the defining characteristics of high-end outdoor design. Builders are mixing clean linear spillways with textured rainfall effects, integrating fire elements alongside water features, and using combinations of sound, light, and movement to create more immersive environments.

Layering Elements Together

Part of the reason scuppers have become such an important design tool in modern outdoor living spaces is that they don’t just add water movement, but help to orchestrate the entire environment, and increasingly, builders are using them to guide how homeowners interact with the space itself.

Long linear scuppers can visually anchor a feature wall. Repeating smaller scuppers across a structure creates rhythm and cadence. Overhead rainfall effects can direct traffic flow or subtly signal transitions between one section of the yard and another.

“We’re definitely seeing builders combine multiple units to build rhythm across a wall,” said Nitschke. “Instead of it just being one long continuous run.”

That approach reflects a much more architectural mindset than what the industry traditionally associated with water features.

Scuppers are no longer simply decorative accessories. They’re being used compositionally — almost like lighting, hardscape materials, or structural elements.

Customization Is Changing the Category

Undeniably, customization has become increasingly important. Rather than forcing designers to build around fixed product dimensions, manufacturers are seeing more demand for custom widths, oversized installations, and specialty finishes that align with the overall aesthetic of the project.

“At The Outdoor Plus, we can custom build that in-house,” said Nitschke. “If you want to go 20 feet long, we can do that.”

That flexibility allows designers to think beyond standard applications.

On large commercial projects, oversized scuppers can become massive architectural focal points. In residential environments, custom sizing allows designers to maintain symmetry and scale across feature walls, outdoor kitchens, or perimeter structures.

Ornamental Scuppers Are Making a Comeback

But even with all the innovation happening in contemporary design, ornamental scuppers continue to maintain a strong presence.

In fact, Vitori believes decorative scuppers are making a comeback precisely because many homeowners want water features that intentionally stand out.

“Scuppers were meant to be visual,” said Vitori. Traditional cannon scuppers, radius spillways, V-shaped designs, and sculptural bowl scuppers are increasingly being used as statement pieces rather than hidden design accents. And unlike sheer descents, which are often designed to disappear into the architecture, ornamental scuppers embrace visibility.

Copper cannon scuppers projecting from a textured wall create a completely different emotional tone than a flush-mounted stainless spillway. One leans old-world and dramatic. The other feels sleek and contemporary.

Popular Scupper Styles This Pool Season

According to Nitschke, builders are selecting these styles based less on technical specs and more on the personality of the space.

“The cannon style scupper tends to lean a little bit more toward traditional or Mediterranean styles,” he explained. “The V-shapes are much more contemporary and geometric.”

Some of the more sculptural designs blur the line between water feature and artwork entirely.

One standout this season is the Maya Scupper — a wall-mounted bowl-style feature that Vitori described as looking “almost like a floating sconce.”

Nitschke explained that products like the Maya are becoming popular because they remain visually compelling even when the water is turned off.

“They’re not just mounted — they’re displayed,” he said.

More Than Just a Finishing Touch

That statement may best summarize where the category is headed overall. Today’s scuppers are increasingly architectural, experiential, and artistic all at once.

Builders are no longer simply selecting spillways. They’re choosing sound profiles, water textures, finishes, placement strategies, and visual rhythms that shape how an entire backyard functions.

And when done right, scuppers stop feeling like accessories and start feeling like part of the architecture itself — adding movement, sound, depth, and personality to a backyard in ways homeowners immediately feel the moment they step outside.

Ready to take a deeper dive?

Listen to our entire discussion about scuppers with Frank Vitori and Chuck Nitschke on the Pool Magazine Podcast.

Photos Courtesy: The Outdoor Plus