Homes are often manifestations of individual taste, serving as tangible representations of inspiration and artistic affinity. By extension, the yard or property can also become a place for homeowners to further express their creativity, or even as a cohesive extension of their vision.
Such is the case for one Texas homeowner who found inspiration in the works of famed American architect and designer Frank Lloyd Wright. Following a thorough home renovation inspired by the prolific designer’s creations, the logical next step was to extend the effort into the yard to revitalize an aging in-ground pool. After nearly five years of planning, work began on a complete pool transformation, one anchored by a full LATICRETE® installation system that would support both form and function.
From artistic vision to material execution
To achieve the intricate layout envisioned for the pool, the homeowner turned to Ray Corral, artist and founder of Miami-based Mosaicist Inc., a studio known for large-scale, art-driven tile installations that consistently perform in submerged and high-moisture conditions. Corral brings a systems approach to his artistic works and is thoughtful in how projects will last over the long term.
“We do an enormous amount of volume, and we use LATICRETE products religiously,” said Corral. “We’ve never had a failure in the past. It’s been our go-to for the past 25 years. I’m talking over 750 installation projects, and 80% of those are underwater.”
A better solution via an unexpected pivot
Shifting soil under the existing pool turned the renovation project into a near-complete rebuild. But with the setback came an opportunity to rebuild smarter, with materials specifically selected for their proven performance in moisture-heavy, pressure-sensitive environments. This is where technical strategy became just as important as aesthetic desire, requiring close coordination among design, installation, and product support teams. Planners carefully and meticulously chose the layers of the pool’s installation.
Corral’s installation crew focused on surface preparation by leveling and smoothing to eliminate the inconsistencies that can lead to waterproofing failure or improperly-laid tile. For a project with such complex geometry, the quality of prep work would dictate the integrity of every following layer.
HYDRO BAN® Cementitious Waterproofing Membrane was the ideal first step to a watertight pool installation. As a one-component, polymer-fortified, cement-based waterproofing material, it mixes with water to provide ample protection for such applications.
“We like to use [HYDRO BAN] Cementitious [Waterproofing Membrane],” said Corral. “From there, we do our float work with the 254 PLATINUM™ thin-set. Then SPECTRALOCK® PRO Premium Grout, which is really important. We want to make sure we leave a deep void for the grout to lock itself in.”
The use of this cementitious waterproofing membrane creates a great bond coat and would also help manage the pressure from the pool water and the surrounding soil.
“HYDRO BAN Cementitious also helps with negative and positive hydrostatic pressures,” said Marcel Schoen, technical services manager at LATICRETE.
Moving to mortar and grout
The crew relied on robust, thin-set 254 PLATINUM mortar because it works well with a variety of tile and stone installations and applications. 254 PLATINUM is a smooth, creamy, high-performance thin-set mortar that offers exceptional bond strength and workability to flawlessly deliver intricate details that this project demanded. The product’s ability to be easily troweled while working allowed for small adjustments, which is a true benefit for artisan installers who rely on efficiency and control for such jobs.
Plus, it is equipped with Microban® antimicrobial protection to prevent the growth of stain- and odor-causing microbes. It’s extremely durable in submerged environments, performing well even when in contact with pool chemicals.
The final, most visible system layer is SPECTRALOCK PRO Premium Grout. This high-performance epoxy grout offers standout color uniformity, durability, and stain protection, in an easy-to-use formula. Taken together, this LATICRETE system of products and solutions is ideal for long-lasting, worry-free pool projects such as this.
“Pool projects are demanding,” added Schoen. “They’re going to be submerged, which is a challenge. The products used have to be able to handle constant moisture and pool chemicals.”
An accurate homage
The visual language of the project was shaped by a deep appreciation for Frank Lloyd Wright’s design philosophy. Key to the design was Wright’s application of geometry, balance, and integration of natural materials. Straight lines, asymmetric forms, and material simplicity guided the layout. This included the use of small tile and patterns that mimicked Wright’s structured yet organic aesthetic.
This design pushed Corral and his team to incorporate a layout that embraced asymmetry instead of fighting it. A particularly challenging element to the project was noticeable when using geometric tile patterns on sloped and curved surfaces, where precision is critical and mistakes are magnified. Smaller tile formats were used for flexibility in shaping lines and preserving proportionality throughout the design. The ability of 254 PLATINUM to be easily troweled while working allowed for small adjustments, which is a true benefit for artisan installers who rely on efficiency and control for such jobs.
Trust in longevity
The use of a complete LATICRETE system not only supported the installation from substrate to finish, but it also secured long-term protection through a comprehensive warranty. This extended valuable peace of mind to everyone involved, especially the homeowner.
“You’ve got the ‘Cadillac’ system there,” said Schoen. “You get a 25-year warrantied system that has the waterproofing, the thinset, and the grout for the tile. By using all three products, you’re getting a comprehensive warranty.”
That kind of assurance is critical on a project that is shaped by movement, both in the ground beneath it and the visual design. The waterproofing layer, in particular, had to hold its own against complex pressure conditions on both sides of the pool wall – the force of pool water pushing outward and external groundwater pressure pushing inward. This dual-performance capability made HYDRO BAN Cementitious Waterproofing Membrane an essential part of the pool’s layered defense.
Realizing the vision
Whether viewed through the lens of architectural tradition or technical performance, the finished pool hits a sweet spot achieved in few residential projects. It honors a distinct design heritage while delivering long-term confidence below the surface.
The project marries beauty with resilience. It also serves as a reminder for tile professionals that starting with the fully-integrated LATICRETE system means that artistic ambition and long-term performance need not compete. Rather, they can work in perfect alignment.
