Dive into pool design and learn how Design Director Brad Holley won the Million Dollar Pool Design Challenge.
Winning the 2023 Million Dollar Pool Design Challenge was a pinnacle moment in Design Director Brad Holley's unconventional journey into the world of design. Every year, this prestigious nationwide competition attracts talented pool and landscape designers, builders, and outdoor living architects who submit their designs in hopes of being recognized as the best in the industry.
Equipped with a detailed list of design requirements, a 3D model of the existing conditions, and the freedom to ignore budget restrictions, participants create truly breathtaking designs. We interviewed Brad about his design methods, visualization process, and what it took to successfully claim victory in the challenge.
How did you become a pool designer?
Many people come to the pool design industry with architectural or landscape architecture backgrounds. I’m unique in that I have no formal education in design. I was working for a commercial construction company and a client showed us how he had modeled an auto shop in SketchUp. I was blown away that there was a program out there that just let you build whatever your imagination came up with so intuitively in 3D. I started using it for home projects and was googling how to do something in SketchUp when I stumbled upon a job listing that talked about using SketchUp for pool design. The rest is history. I got the job helping out a pool designer — who just happened to be one of the top pool specialists in the country, Randy Angell, Lead Designer and Owner of Randy Angell Design.
“My love of SketchUp is what got me started in the pool design industry.”
What motivated you to enter the design competition?
After working closely with Randy for some years, he encouraged me to enter the Million Dollar Pool Design Challenge. While I had been casually following the challenge from a distance, I never thought I was capable of competing at that level. One year, Randy told me it was time. I didn’t think I was ready to enter the ring with top designers, but I realized I would never know what I could accomplish if I didn’t try.
What year did you enter the competition?
I first participated in the 2022 competition. The challenge that year was to transform a narrow backyard attached to a three-story classic Chicago Brownstone home into an incredible outdoor entertainment and relaxation oasis. It was a difficult task due to the limited space and specific requirements. However, I saw an opportunity to think outside the box and embrace a more vertical design strategy.
Surprisingly, my design perspective differed greatly from other contestants' interpretations of the project. That aspect made the competition even more fascinating — everyone had their unique vision when presented with the same canvas. My approach was the most unconventional.
Rendering from Brad’s Million Dollar Pool 2022 design.
One of the rules for the competition was that modifying the home was not allowed. Though it was vaguely defined, I respected it because clients often seek innovative outdoor solutions in real-world scenarios without drastically altering their homes. Instead of trying to change anything within the home, I decided to attach structures to it. In my experience as a designer, it's not uncommon to incorporate additions that complement the existing architecture.
Rendering from Brad’s Million Dollar Pool 2022 design.
I created a multi-level structure that seamlessly matched the home's three stories. The fourth level served as a rooftop gathering area. This structure connected to the home, extending across the yard and overlapping the roof of the detached garage. Each level offered distinct spaces, and the pool was located on the second level.
I was selected for the final part of the competition, which was comprised of five finalists out of approximately 50 contestants. The finalists attended the final judging ceremony in Las Vegas at the Pool Spa Deck Expo.