Project: The St. Regis San Francisco Pool Renovations
Architecture and Interiors: TEF Design / Gio Pagani
TEF Design team: Paul Cooper, Principal; Viral Vithalani, Project Manager; Amy Stock, Interior Designer; Gretchen Korsmo, Project Architect; Karen Nealon, Amy Stock, Gretchen Korsmo, Jennifer Tulley, Nnamdi Ihemelu, Alina Vargas, Patrick Rakszawski
Contractor: Hathaway Dinwiddie Construction Company
Structural Engineer: Simpson Gumpertz & Heger
Waterproofing Consultant (Design): Simpson Gumpertz & Heger
Waterproofing Consultant (Construction): Terracon
Mechanical/Plumbing/Fire Protection Engineer: MHC Engineers
Lighting Designer: Architecture and Light
Location: San Francisco, California
Photo Credits: Mikiko Kikuyama
The sixth-floor heated pool and lounge at The St. Regis San Francisco has been completely transformed, creating a serene sanctuary for guests and residents. This newly designed space offers a calming environment where visitors can relax, unwind, and immerse themselves in tranquility. Initially, the project aimed to choose a new tile for resurfacing the pool and restoring its functionality. However, it quickly expanded into a broader vision to create a haven where travelers could experience water as a source of freedom and relaxation. “As a life-long swimmer, working on this project was an incredible experience,” says Paul Cooper, principal architect at TEF Design, who led the renovation. “The updated space now perfectly aligns with the contemporary elegance, wellness focus, and functionality of a 5-star hotel.”
Integrating Elegance and Wellness
The design team carefully balanced the established brand standards of St. Regis with the unique context of downtown San Francisco. Consequently, the serene enclave features furnishings with soft, flowing shapes and incorporates earthy tones and natural materials to create an indoor oasis. Additionally, textural elements, such as wood slat cladding on the walls and ceiling, add depth and warmth to the space, enhancing its comfort. “Relaxation and recharging are essential no matter where you are,” Cooper notes. “Water plays a crucial role in the human pursuit of relaxation.”
Thoughtful Layout and Design
Comfortable lounge furnishings are thoughtfully arranged poolside and throughout the area. Moreover, large south-facing windows provide direct visual connections to the surrounding neighborhood and sky. The pool deck is organized into zones by partial walls, creating private areas for guests. Furthermore, an oculus at one end of the pool mirrors the distinctive rounded forms of the neighboring SFMOMA. This abstractly connects the pool to its surroundings. “As the sun sets,” interior design collaborator Gio Pagani observes, “warm rays of sunlight filter into the pool area, casting a beautiful interplay of light that harmonizes with the tranquil waters of the pool.”
An Invitation to Serenity
Open 24 hours for guests and residents, the reimagined swimming pool at The St. Regis San Francisco enhances the hotel’s welcoming and gracious environment. Therefore, it invites everyone to experience the art of serenity, whether through swimming, lounging, or enjoying the pool area’s food and beverage offerings. Ultimately, this beautifully transformed space now serves as a testament to the hotel’s commitment to providing a luxurious and rejuvenating experience for all who visit.
Brands/Products
Wall, Floor Tile- Atlas Concorde, ‘BOHO’ Series, Color “Earth” 24×48, Matte
Linear Deck Trench Drain- Infinity Drain with Tile Inlay
Wood Grilles on Walls, Ceiling -Vertical Grain Solid Stone Western hemlock slats in 1×3
Light Slot on Ceiling/ Feature Wall- Vers Encapsulated LED by Q
Pre Fab Pool- Myrtha Pools Tran Lighting.
Suspended Lights @ West Window Wall- Globe with Stem SPI Lighting
