ORANGEVALE, CALIFORNIA – Century Pools, a multigenerational family-owned pool contractor serving California homeowners since 1964, today issued a definitive stance on a critical issue facing modern residential design: custom gunite pools must be integrated into initial home planning stages rather than treated as secondary renovations or luxury add-ons.
The company’s position challenges widespread industry practices where homeowners meticulously plan every interior detail of their dream homes—from cabinet hardware to light fixtures—yet defer pool design until after construction is complete. According to Century Pools’ six decades of experience, this backwards approach costs homeowners far more than budget overruns.
“Treating the pool as an afterthought affects far more than the budget,” explains Patrick O’Neal, CEO of Century Pools, who has led the company for 15 years alongside his brothers Michael and Casey. “The pool influences the entire layout of the yard, drainage, structural engineering, and how the home is actually lived in and enjoyed. When it’s planned late, homeowners often face compromises—awkward placement, inefficient systems, higher maintenance, or costly redesigns—that impact safety, functionality, and long-term enjoyment.”
The company’s position aligns with emerging industry data showing that outdoor living spaces have shifted from “nice-to-have” amenities to essential features in modern home design, with more homebuyers than ever considering yards, patios, and pools as fundamental living spaces rather than mere afterthoughts.
From Recreational Features to Lifestyle Architecture
Century Pools’ stance represents a fundamental philosophical shift in how the pool construction industry approaches residential projects. Rather than framing pools as recreational features used occasionally, the company positions custom pools as integral lifestyle architecture that defines how families live, connect, and create memories in their homes.
This evolution in thinking crystallized over decades of observing long-term client satisfaction patterns. “The families who were happiest weren’t the ones who treated their pool as a luxury add-on—they were the ones who designed it around how they actually lived,” O’Neal notes. “Pools framed purely as ‘recreation’ were used occasionally, while pools designed around daily routines—morning laps, kids after school, quiet evenings outside—became central to the home.”
The shift prompted Century Pools to fundamentally change its client consultation approach. Instead of asking “What kind of pool do you want?” the company now begins every project by asking “How do you live?”
That question consistently surprises homeowners, revealing needs they hadn’t anticipated. Families discover they require easy kitchen access for snacks and drinks, shaded lounging areas for remote work while supervising children, or separate zones for exercise, entertaining, and quiet reflection rather than a single all-purpose pool deck.
The Missing Conversations in Pool Planning
Century Pools identifies critical gaps in typical architect-homeowner planning discussions. During the design phase, conversations should address sightlines from kitchens and living rooms, natural traffic flow patterns, children’s water entry and exit points, and how the pool area functions on ordinary weekdays—not just during weekend parties.
Additional planning considerations include long-term maintenance access, energy efficiency, shade management, noise control, and integration with outdoor dining areas, fire features, and landscaping. When these conversations occur early in the home planning process, pools transition from standalone features to integrated elements of the home’s daily rhythm.
Research supports this integrated approach. Well-designed outdoor living spaces can add between 5% and 20% to a property’s market value depending on scope and quality of work, with properties featuring attractive, functional outdoor areas commanding premium prices and selling faster than comparable properties with neglected exteriors.
The consequences of poor planning are substantial. One major mistake homeowners make is neglecting to fully account for site conditions such as slope, soil type, and drainage, which can cause severe issues like poor water flow or structural instability. Inadequate planning for pool size, depth, and decking space can lead to significant functional and financial problems, with pools planned as afterthoughts often resulting in awkward placement, inefficient systems, and costly redesigns.
Gunite Construction Enables Lifestyle-Centered Design
Century Pools’ stance on integrated planning is supported by its specialized focus on gunite pool construction, which provides the flexibility to shape pools precisely to family lifestyles rather than forcing homeowners into standard rectangular designs.
Through customized slopes, benches, tanning ledges, and varying depths, gunite construction enables the creation of distinct zones within a single pool—one area for exercise laps, another for socializing or entertaining, and a quiet corner for relaxation. Beyond the pool shell itself, Century Pools integrates decks, fire features, spas, and landscaping to reinforce separate functions and ensure smooth transitions between zones.
“Standard pool designs simply can’t offer that level of personalization; they treat the pool as one uniform space,” O’Neal explains. “With gunite and our tailored approach, each family gets a pool that supports multiple activities simultaneously, enhancing both functionality and long-term enjoyment.”
The material’s advantages extend beyond customization. When properly installed and maintained, gunite pools can last for a century or longer without need for major repairs—a significant lifespan compared to fiberglass pools, which last for 25 years on average, or vinyl pool liners, which typically require replacement every 6-12 years.
A Philosophy Applied Across All Projects
Century Pools’ “How do you live?” philosophy remains consistent whether the company is building pools for celebrity mansions or neighborhood homes, though the answers vary widely depending on homeowner priorities.
In high-end estates, priorities might focus on grand entertaining spaces, infinity edges, and show-stopping features that impress guests. In suburban homes, the focus typically centers on family usability: safe shallow areas for children, easy maintenance, and everyday comfort.
“What’s consistent across all projects is that we start by understanding daily routines, lifestyle habits, and long-term goals,” O’Neal states. “That insight drives every design choice, ensuring that whether the pool is in a sprawling estate or a suburban backyard, it truly supports how the family lives and interacts with their home every day.”
This approach reflects broader consumer trends. Homeowners’ top three reasons for updating outdoor living spaces are to improve aesthetics (51%), enhance entertainment space (37%), and extend the living space of their home (33%). Additionally, if homeowners were to remodel, 63% would prioritize investing in an outdoor living space, with 97% of realtors believing curb appeal is important to attracting buyers.
Multigenerational Expertise Informs Modern Innovation
Century Pools’ position on integrated pool design is informed by six decades of multigenerational family expertise. Founded by Brian O’Neal, who was often found with a shovel in hand, the company was built on a foundation of hard work, family support, and pride in craftsmanship.
Today, three of Brian’s sons—including CEO Patrick O’Neal—continue the legacy alongside second-generation family members. The evolution from Brian’s hands-on founding philosophy to the company’s current emphasis on lifestyle design and architectural integration has maintained one non-negotiable element: commitment to craftsmanship and attention to detail.
“From the very beginning, it wasn’t just about digging a hole and pouring concrete—it was about doing the job right, respecting the materials, and ensuring the client’s vision was executed with care,” O’Neal reflects. “That foundation carries through today, even as we talk about lifestyle design, architectural integration, and sophisticated features. Every project, whether a simple neighborhood pool or a multi-million-dollar estate, is approached with the same dedication to quality, integrity, and hands-on oversight that my father insisted on from day one.”
This multigenerational perspective provides insights that corporate operations cannot replicate. By observing client satisfaction over decades rather than quarters, Century Pools has identified patterns that inform its current stance: pools integrated into initial home planning consistently deliver greater long-term value, functionality, and family satisfaction than pools added as afterthoughts.
California’s Unique Position in Outdoor Living Trends
Century Pools’ stance carries particular relevance in California, where climate and lifestyle culture make custom pools essential components of quality residential living rather than optional luxuries.
The U.S. outdoor living structures market was estimated at $892.9 million in 2024 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.3% from 2025 to 2030, driven by favorable climates in California, Florida, and Texas. Homeowners in coastal or southern regions see better value from outdoor living spaces since they can be enjoyed year-round.
California’s year-round usability amplifies the importance of proper integration. When pools function as daily-use spaces rather than seasonal amenities, poor planning decisions create ongoing frustrations rather than occasional inconveniences.
“Our custom pools offer a quality and affordable solution to escaping the California heat,” states the company’s vision. This positioning acknowledges that in California’s climate, pools serve practical lifestyle functions beyond recreation—they’re essential components of comfortable, enjoyable home living.
Industry Implications and Future Direction
Century Pools’ public stance on integrated pool planning challenges standard industry practices and calls for broader changes in how architects, builders, and homeowners approach residential design.
The company advocates for pools to be considered during initial architectural planning rather than relegated to landscape design phases. This shift requires earlier collaboration between pool contractors, architects, and homeowners—a departure from typical construction timelines where pool installation occurs months or years after home completion.
Modern pool design trends support this integrated approach. In 2026, homeowners are tailoring pool layouts to support how they actually live, entertain, and relax, with geometric pools being softened with rounded interior corners, offset spas, or integrated tanning ledges to create more welcoming, resort-like environments. The modern pool is no longer just a place to cool off—it’s a full outdoor experience blending innovation, sustainability, and resort-style living.
Century Pools also emphasizes that seamless integration with home architecture distinguishes modern pools from standalone recreational features. Contemporary designs extend indoor living spaces outdoors through coordinated materials, consistent color schemes, and architectural elements that create visual continuity. Pools and homes should look like they were designed simultaneously, with materials, colors, and textures integrated rather than appearing as afterthoughts.
About Century Pools
Century Pools is a multigenerational, family-owned pool contractor based in Orangevale, California, serving residential homeowners since 1964. Founded by Brian O’Neal and now led by his three sons—CEO Patrick O’Neal, Michael O’Neal, and Casey O’Neal—alongside second-generation family members, the company specializes in custom gunite pool construction. Century Pools has built pools for projects ranging from celebrity mansions to neighborhood homes throughout California, maintaining a consistent focus on building client trust, providing exceptional craftsmanship, and remaining at the forefront of custom pool innovation. The company’s mission, “Building Your Dreams Since 1964,” reflects its commitment to creating treasured meeting places where memories are made, family events are held, and new beginnings are celebrated.
For more information about Century Pools and its integrated approach to custom pool design, visit the company’s website or contact their Orangevale headquarters.
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