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One on One With 2025 Million Dollar Pool Design Challenge Winner, Kirk Bianchi
This year’s Million Dollar Pool Design Challenge at the PSP/Deck Expo in Las Vegas delivered one of the strongest fields the competition has seen to date. Drawing a full house, the event brought together five talented finalists tasked with interpreting a complex, emotionally rich design scenario set in the hills of Napa Valley.
The homeowners in this year’s fictional brief—Lyle and Katherine Jackson—represent a compelling duality. Lyle gravitates toward Rocky Mountain rustic architecture and envisioned a wellness-driven retreat rooted in fire, stone, and rugged materials. Katherine, on the other hand, favors Palm Springs Mid-Century Modern and yearns for quiet spaces for meditation, intimate outdoor cooking, and a tranquil atmosphere that blends softly into the natural terrain.
With the couple having recently acquired an adjacent property, designers were challenged to unite these contrasting design languages while planning a full retreat that included private and public zones, rental-ready guest structures, and an amenity-rich outdoor environment. The brief required a spool and cold plunge off the master suite, a recreational pool, an oversized spa, a swim-up bar, outdoor dining for twelve, multiple covered structures, a koi pond, bocce ball, a yoga space, and incorporating features by Ledge and Fire by Design. All of it needed to feel authentic to Napa—its rolling grasslands, its live oaks, and its serene rural setting.
The judging panel reflected the gravity of the challenge. Returning winners Brad Holley and Moses Campos were joined by renowned designer Danny Wang, industry-leading photographer Jimi Smith, and PSN & Aquatics International Deputy Editor Rebecca Robledo. After the judges offered their commentary, the audience cast the final vote—turning this already technical competition into a true showdown of vision, execution, and storytelling.
When the dust settled, it was veteran designer Kirk Bianchi whose concept resonated most powerfully with both judges and audience, earning him the top honor in this year’s Million Dollar Pool Design Challenge. Judges responded to the clarity of intent and the cohesiveness of the layout. Audience members gravitated toward his handling of divergent aesthetics—a challenge many designers struggle with.
Kirk Bianchi’s Winning Design Entry in 2025’s Million Dollar Pool Design Challenge
From the moment Bianchi reviewed the scenario, he saw a rare opportunity: a pristine Napa hillside, unobstructed views in every direction, and a modernist home with a clear architectural voice inspired by Mies van der Rohe’s Farnsworth House. “It had a really clear language to the house,” he explained. “A glass box levitating off the land… it already had a beautiful language, and the setting was magnificent.”
Rather than approaching the brief as a checklist of amenities, Bianchi responded to it as a composer. His entire design philosophy—taught to him by his mentor decades earlier—revolves around thematic consistency. As he put it, “Everything has to have a motif. Architecture calls it a parti. You must have an overarching theme, and then it runs through your entire program like writing a piece of music.”
This became his guiding principle for blending the homeowners’ divergent aesthetic tastes. The home itself set the “melody,” and Bianchi refused to dilute it. Instead, he found opportunities for Lyle’s rustic sensibilities in the landforms: terraced retaining walls using Napa’s native basalt, log-inspired seating, and natural stone that grounded the modernist structures. “We’re going to speak to his language in the retaining walls and how we terrace the land,” he said, while allowing all elevated architecture—the guest houses, yoga pavilion, and pool pavilion—to float lightly above the stone just as the main residence does.
This decision unified the built environment while allowing the landscape to carry the rugged notes Lyle wanted. It was an elegant solution to one of the scenario’s biggest challenges.
How the Setting Shaped the Design
From the outset, Bianchi worked from the outside in—placing architecture, trees, and view corridors before drawing a single pool edge. The existing landscape featured mature live oaks and sweeping grassland valleys, and he refused to interrupt those natural compositions. “I like to focus on landscape architecture and place trees early,” he noted. “They were framing views of peaks and corridors in the distance… everything had to nestle into what was there and not look manufactured.”
This approach created a design that feels inevitable, as if the property itself whispered where structures should go. The pool pavilion, for example, landed along the western edge because placing it elsewhere would have blocked views from the office and living room. This, in turn, dictated the orientation of the pool and swim-up bar. “All of those lines were projected out into the lot,” he said. “There’s this magical framework you don’t see, but you perceive.”
Those alignments are central to Bianchi’s design identity. “You feel like you’re walking through a poem,” he said. “Lines travel the length of the property… you don’t know it until you stand there, and then the alignments reveal themselves.”
Creating Emotional Impact Through Sequencing
One of the most striking elements of Bianchi’s concept is how he orchestrated the experience of moving through the property. Drawing from art history and photography, he designs every space with foreground, middle ground, and background acting in harmony. “The impact of any space is how those three layers align,” he said. “When they do, it’s riveting.”
From the front entry, a reflective water surface becomes the first emotional cue—a shallow, oversized flooded deck that frames a circular spa carved within it. Bianchi intentionally split the spa into two entities: the heated seating zone and an expansive unheated mirror deck that extends the water’s visual weight without creating impractical heating demands. “Who said the inside of a spa has to match the outside?” he said. “You can use a very shallow body of water to make a reflective plane.”
This approach gave the design a cinematic quality, drawing visitors through the home and straight to a dramatic water tableau that anchors the landscape.
The Thoughtful Use of Fire
Fire played a significant role in the scenario, but Bianchi treated it with the same restraint he brings to all sensory elements. “It’s easy to overdo it,” he explained. “Think of it as salt—you want just enough.”
Instead of scattering decorative fire bowls throughout the yard, he integrated fire only where it supported human interaction: a polished, floating linear fire element subtly revealed between the spa and a stone wall; a sculptural double-sided fireplace anchoring the outdoor kitchen pavilion; an elliptical fire bowl at the yoga pavilion for meditative ambience; and a long rectangular fire pit flanked by refined log-inspired seating to bring people together.
“All of the fire lived where people would be,” he said. “Not as distractions, but as companions to the activities happening around them.”
Balancing Private Retreat and Airbnb-Ready Function
One of the brief’s major challenges was creating spaces that support quiet personal retreat while functioning seamlessly for small event gatherings and luxury rentals. Bianchi responded with transitional sequencing that draws from a formative architecture project in his college years.
He created privacy through orientation, topography, and carefully placed screens rather than fencing or bulky structures. The master suite, just eight inches from the public zone, gained privacy through landscape elevation changes and a custom louvered gate designed to disappear visually when viewed head-on but block oblique sightlines.
Guest structures, located along the far perimeter, each received a private micro-garden—a nod to Japanese courtyard design, where miniature landscapes deliver immense psychological separation even on tight footprints.
Bianchi credits transitions as the secret ingredient: “You need these transitional moments. They change your emotional state, just like a commute decompresses you before you walk into your home.”
Finalist Entries in This Year’s Design Competition
While Bianchi took home the win, this year’s competition showcased exceptional work across the board. Each of the finalists brought a distinct perspective to the Napa scenario, delivering interpretations that spanned a broad spectrum of styles, priorities, and creative problem-solving. It was fascinating to see how differently each designer approached the same topography, the same architectural language, and the same programmatic demands. The diversity of ideas on display underscored the strength and versatility of today’s design community.
Looking Toward Next Year: Bianchi Joins the Judging Panel
With this year’s victory, Bianchi will return to the Million Dollar Pool Design Challenge next year — this time as a judge. His perspective, grounded in decades of disciplined design thinking, will add an invaluable dimension to the panel. As he explained, what he’ll be looking for aligns with the same principles that guided his winning entry: thematic consistency, architectural alignment, and thoughtful reconciliation of divergent ideas. “You must have a theme. You must have a concept… It’s the belt that ties everything together,” he said. Next year’s competitors can expect him to look for designs that demonstrate a clear conceptual through-line rather than a simple accumulation of features.
Bianchi is also launching a new mentorship program through his website KirkBianchi.com, offering designers the kind of guidance he received early in his own career. His goal is to help elevate the industry by cultivating stronger design literacy and giving professionals access to structured critique, case studies, and conceptual development frameworks. The program will function much like a design studio, where participants can bring work, receive critique, and refine their process. “Let’s shave a decade or two off your learning curve,” he said, emphasizing his desire to help designers achieve clarity and coherence in their work.
As the design community looks ahead to next year’s Challenge, Bianchi’s transition from competitor to mentor and judge sets an exciting tone. His emphasis on theme, alignment, and emotional choreography will undoubtedly shape the standard for the next generation of entries — and raise the bar for the competition as a whole.
Ready to take a deeper dive?
Listen to our entire conversation with Kirk Bianchi on the Pool Magazine Podcast.
Photo Credits: Informa Markets
Just days after renewed algae problems, peeling surface coatings, and a growing controversy surrounding the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool renovation project, crews erected fencing around the iconic water feature overnight.
The fencing appeared Tuesday around portions of the Reflecting Pool and quickly drew attention from visitors and media outlets covering the ongoing saga surrounding the recently renovated landmark. Federal officials say the barriers are intended to protect the site from vandalism and help secure the area ahead of upcoming Fourth of July festivities on the National Mall.
Why did the White House install a fence around the Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool?
The move comes amid allegations from the Trump administration that vandals may have contributed to some of the problems that have plagued the Reflecting Pool since it was refilled earlier this month. President Donald Trump has publicly claimed that individuals damaged sections of the newly installed blue coating and interfered with the project, stating that multiple arrests have been made in connection with incidents at the site.
According to reports, chain-link fencing was originally planned as part of security preparations for the large Independence Day celebration scheduled to take place on the National Mall. However, Interior Department officials reportedly accelerated installation following recent vandalism concerns.
In addition to the fencing, reports indicate that surveillance cameras have been installed around portions of the Reflecting Pool as officials attempt to monitor activity and prevent further damage.
Security Measures Added Amid Ongoing Reflecting Pool Problems
The security measures arrive at a difficult moment for the highly publicized renovation project. The Reflecting Pool was drained earlier this year and resurfaced with a blue waterproof coating intended to address leaks and improve the appearance of the historic landmark.
Shortly after refilling, however, algae blooms reappeared, sections of the coating began separating from the pool floor, and questions emerged about the effectiveness of the renovation. Federal officials have attributed some of the damage to vandalism, while critics have questioned whether construction or design issues may also be contributing to the ongoing problems.
Several news organizations have reported that evidence supporting some of the vandalism claims remains unclear, although authorities have confirmed multiple arrests related to incidents occurring near the pool.
Reflecting Pool Remains a Work in Progress
Visitors arriving at the National Mall this morning found a noticeably different scene than just days earlier. The Reflecting Pool, one of the nation’s most recognizable water features and a backdrop for countless historic events, is now partially enclosed behind temporary fencing as crews continue repairs and preparations for upcoming celebrations.
The fence around the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool represents the latest development in what has become an unexpectedly challenging restoration effort. Between recurring algae outbreaks, surface coating concerns, and now vandalism-related security measures, the project continues to attract national attention.
Crews have spent recent days vacuuming algae, inspecting damaged sections of the coating, and evaluating additional treatment options. Officials have previously announced plans to deploy nanobubble technology and other water-quality measures in an effort to improve clarity and suppress algae growth ahead of Independence Day events.
With thousands of visitors expected to gather on the National Mall in the coming weeks, the Reflecting Pool has become one of the most closely watched water features in the country. The additional security measures may help discourage vandalism, but officials still face the larger challenge of restoring water quality and completing repairs before the nation’s birthday celebration begins.
Featured Photo Credit: Marcelo Vinante
Just when it looked like the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool was finally ready for its close-up, another setback has emerged.
The White House announced this week that additional repairs will be needed at the recently renovated Reflecting Pool after a string of problems surfaced almost immediately following its reopening. First came the return of algae. Now attention has shifted to reports that portions of the newly installed epoxy lining are beginning to separate from the underlying concrete.
It’s a frustrating turn for a project that, only weeks ago, appeared to be one of the most visually striking renovations on the National Mall.
The Algae Came Back Almost Immediately
Workers had barely finished refilling the Reflecting Pool before a familiar problem began to reappear.
Within days, visitors started noticing a green tint developing in the water. Officials later said they believe algae remaining inside portions of the existing plumbing and circulation system was likely flushed back into the newly filled basin once the pumps were restarted.
Maintenance crews spent much of the following week working around the clock trying to stay ahead of the bloom. Photos showed crews treating the water daily as algae continued spreading across the nearly seven-million-gallon reflecting pool.
Eventually, officials announced they would deploy nanobubble technology—paired with hydrogen peroxide—in an effort to stop the bloom before it became significantly worse.
From Celebration to Cleanup
The speed at which the algae returned made the situation even more surprising, considering how optimistic everyone had been just days earlier.
The recently completed rehabilitation introduced a brand-new blue epoxy lining designed to waterproof the nearly century-old basin and address persistent leakage issues. Members of the project team toured the completed work, and stunning aerial photographs of the vibrant blue Reflecting Pool quickly spread across social media.
For a brief moment, it looked like the renovation had been an overwhelming success.
Then the algae returned.
At first, it was subtle—a faint green cast that was barely noticeable against the brilliant blue epoxy surface. Within a matter of days, however, that changed dramatically. Larger patches of algae began forming across the pool, eventually obscuring much of the newly installed coating beneath.
Fresh images circulating online painted a far different picture than those early celebration photos, showing murky green water and floating algae where crystal-clear reflections had been expected.
A New Problem Emerges
As crews worked to regain control of the water quality, another issue began generating concern.
Reports surfaced that portions of the new epoxy coating are now peeling and delaminating from the concrete beneath.
The reports quickly fueled online discussion, with some observers questioning whether the renovation itself had already begun to fail.
That conversation intensified after former U.S. Olympic cyclist David Hearn was arrested after authorities alleged he damaged the Reflecting Pool by peeling up a section of the newly installed epoxy coating. According to published reports, Hearn has disputed that characterization, maintaining the coating was already loose when he encountered it.
Regardless of how that case is ultimately resolved, the incident brought national attention to reports that portions of the new surface were already separating.
Is Hydrogen Peroxide to Blame?
Could the chemicals being used to combat the algae have contributed to the coating problems?
Probably not, according to pool construction expert Paolo Benedetti.
Benedetti told Pool Magazine that the hydrogen peroxide being used to jumpstart the nanobubble treatment is unlikely to be responsible for the reported delamination. Instead, he says coating failures are typically associated with poor surface preparation, not a single chemical treatment introduced after the coating has already been installed.
That doesn’t necessarily identify the cause of what’s happening at the Reflecting Pool.
Epoxy coating failures can result from a combination of factors, and without a forensic evaluation of the installation, it’s impossible to point to any single reason for the separation now being reported.
What’s Next?
Crews continue treating the Reflecting Pool using the combination of hydrogen peroxide and nanobubble technology in hopes of getting the algae under control while repairs to the epoxy surface move forward.
The timing couldn’t be more important.
The Reflecting Pool was expected to play a prominent role in celebrations surrounding America’s 250th birthday, with hopes the restoration would be completed well in advance of Independence Day festivities.
As of today, however, it appears that the timeline is becoming increasingly difficult to meet.
The next phase of the project will require crews to drain the Reflecting Pool once again so repairs to the surface can be completed before the basin is refilled. At the same time, officials will continue evaluating whether the combination of hydrogen peroxide and nanobubble technology can finally get ahead of the recurring algae problem. With Independence Day and the nation’s 250th birthday celebrations fast approaching, the clock is ticking. Right now, it appears increasingly unlikely the Reflecting Pool will be ready in time, despite the best efforts of crews working to restore one of America’s most iconic water features.
Featured Photo Credit: Matt Smith
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has announced the recall of approximately 340 Arrogantf spa and hot tub drain covers after determining they violate the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool & Spa Safety Act (VGBA), creating a potentially deadly entrapment and drowning hazard.
The recalled products are white plastic suction covers sold for use as hot tub jet covers and spa drain covers. According to the CPSC, the drain covers fail to meet the mandatory federal safety standard because they lack required product markings, service life information, and installation and maintenance instructions. These deficiencies mean the products cannot be verified as compliant with the anti-entrapment requirements established under the VGBA.
Product Details
The recall involves Arrogantf 3-3/4-inch spa suction covers packaged in a clear plastic bag labeled:
- X004TW6LTF
- Arrogantf
- BWG 3-3/4″ 100gpm
- BSC334-AF
Each package also includes two mounting screws in a separate clear plastic bag. The drain covers themselves contain no identifying markings or manufacturer information.
The products were sold exclusively through Amazon between September 2025 and March 2026 for approximately $16. The recalled drain covers were imported by Shenzhen Fuxiangyue Technology Co., Ltd., doing business as Arrogantf, of China.
What Consumers Should Do
The CPSC advises spa owners, operators, and consumers to stop using any spa or hot tub equipped with the recalled drain covers immediately.
To receive a refund, consumers should:
- Remove the drain cover from the spa or hot tub.
- Clearly write “RECALL” on the cover with a permanent marker.
- Photograph the marked drain cover.
- If possible, disable the cover by cutting its perimeter structure to prevent future installation.
- Dispose of the drain cover.
- Email the photograph to [email protected] to request a refund.
No Injuries Reported
At the time of the recall, the CPSC reported no incidents or injuries associated with the recalled drain covers.
Why VGBA Compliance Matters
Drain cover safety remains one of the most important layers of protection in pools and spas. The Virginia Graeme Baker Pool & Spa Safety Act was enacted to reduce the risk of suction entrapment incidents, which can result in severe injury or drowning. Compliant drain covers are engineered and tested to minimize these hazards while providing clear guidance on installation, inspection, and replacement intervals.
Pool and spa professionals are encouraged to verify that all installed suction outlets utilize VGBA-compliant drain covers and to replace any non-compliant products immediately as part of routine inspections and maintenance.
For complete recall information, consumers can visit the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission’s official recall notice.
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