Most swimming pools are built on flat blocks with clear access and predictable conditions. In the Byron Bay Hinterland, that’s rarely the case. Steep slopes, long driveways, acreage properties and tightly constrained sites are the norm, not the exception, and they tend to separate straightforward pool builds from the ones that demand deeper technical thinking.
That is the environment Living Pools & Spas operates in. Led by owner and builder Ben Salisbury, the boutique Northern Rivers business has carved out a niche designing and constructing bespoke concrete swimming pools and spas for residential properties where the site itself sets the agenda.
A consistent thread across the business’s work is the emphasis on site-specific design. Each project begins with a detailed appraisal of the land, followed by 3D design concepts that allow clients to visualise how a pool will sit within its broader landscape. This early design phase is less about selecting from standard templates and more about resolving practical constraints (levels, views, soil conditions, circulation) before construction begins.
The range of projects delivered by Living Pools & Spas reflects this tailored approach. The business constructs everything from infinity-edge and lap pools to hydrotherapy spas, fully tiled interiors, pool windows and integrated water features. Automation systems are commonly incorporated, allowing for centralised control of filtration, heating and lighting, particularly on larger properties where operational efficiency matters as much as aesthetics.
One of the more distinctive aspects of the business is its owner-led structure. Ben remains the single point of contact throughout each build, overseeing design development, approvals, construction and final handover. In an industry where projects are often handed between designers, supervisors and subcontractors, this continuity can be particularly valuable on complex sites, where decisions made early on have long-term implications for buildability and performance.
Health, wellbeing and sustainability also play a meaningful role in the business’s offering. Alongside conventional concrete pools, Living Pools & Spas designs and builds biological “living pools” that operate without chlorine or chemical additives. These systems rely on natural filtration processes and are often paired with energy-efficient equipment and smart automation, reducing both environmental impact and ongoing running costs.
Beyond new builds, the business undertakes renovations and rejuvenations of existing concrete pools, updating interiors, tiling, coping, surrounds and equipment to contemporary standards. For many property owners in the Northern Rivers, this work bridges the gap between older pool infrastructure and modern expectations around efficiency, safety and design integration.
Living Pools & Spas services a tightly defined area within a 30-kilometre radius of Bangalow, including the Byron Bay Hinterland, Lennox Head and Ballina. It is also a member of SPASA, aligning the business with national industry standards and compliance frameworks.
Taken together, the trajectory of Living Pools & Spas reflects a broader shift in residential construction toward fewer, more considered projects, where technical expertise, environmental sensitivity and direct accountability carry as much weight as visual impact.
To learn more about Living Pools & Spas, visit livingpools.au.
