Ryan Casillas

Pool Designer

Ryan Casillas

Pool Designer

  • What’s the single best piece of advice you can give a homeowner before they start this journey?

Try to look at inspirational pool photos online or at Presidentialpools.com… it will help you get an idea of what you like, don’t like, etc… think critically about how you want to use the space- not just what you want in it. How much are you truly willing to invest —and what is your maximum? As designers, we can create & customize anything that you want from a pool & landscape perspective, but if you don’t start with clarity, you’ll either be swayed into someone else’s vision or end up with a beautiful space that does not suit your lifestyle or budget. Clarity drives everything: design concept, materials, and cost. The more specific your vision, the better your overall outcome.

  • What are some of your favorite hobbies?
In my free time, I enjoy spending quality time with my wife, playing with my dog, golfing, and following sports. I am also passionate about health and fitness, and enjoy traveling when I can.
  • What’s a design element or feature you believe every great pool should have?
One design element I believe every great pool should include is a tanning ledge, also known as a baja shelf. It’s a shallow, multifunctional area that serves as the perfect transition between from the decking to the water. Any type of water feature is always nice to add as well as it adds, movement, sound and visual interest to a pool- visually features like sheer descents, scuppers, deck jets or natural rock waterfalls enhance the aesthetic, making the pool feel more like a resort retreat as opposed to just a backyard installation.
  • What’s the first thing you want to know about a client when you meet them?

The first thing I try to understand about a client is how they want to use their space. Are they looking for something simple & clean, or do they want to create something really custom & extravagant. Knowing their lifestyle and priorities, and vision sets the foundation and tone moving forward. It also helps if they have an ideal price range they would like to stay within, and a solid timeline in mind of when they ideally like their scope to be built.

  • What’s the most common mistake you see homeowners make when planning a new pool?

A common mistake is not having a full understanding of what they are getting as far as size, features, upgrades etc…it always helps if they take the time to hop on a quick phone call or meet in person to discuss the specifics on the design or quote. Another mistake is trying to envision the pool being designed in isolation, without considering how it connects to the rest of the yard and or existing landscape that may or may not be there. It’s obviously different if we are dealing with a new build, dirt lot.

  • How do you approach a design for a difficult or unusually shaped backyard?
I take the time to go out to the site and do my due diligence on the measurements, site photos etc…this will also ensure that everything will be precise and will eliminate any headaches/obstacles down the road. I also see a challenging or unusually shaped backyard as an opportunity for creativity- shaping the design to fit the space, not forcing the space to fit the design.

January Light Special

Free Pentair IntelliVibe Lighting Package with the Purchase of an Intellicenter

Presidential Pools has the righ pool for you!

January Light Special

Free Pentair IntelliVibe Lighting Package with the Purchase of an Intellicenter

Now through January 31st, when you choose a regular IntelliCenter with your new pool contract, you’ll get the brand-new Pentair IntelliVibe Lighting Package FREE — a $2,465 value!

Your free IntelliVibe package includes:
💡 2 Mezzo IntelliVibe lights
🎛 IntelliVibe controller
📦 20′ of conduit per light
🎶 And coming soon — dancing-to-music lighting modes that update automatically!