Location: Prince Albert, Western Cape
Project type: New Residential Swimming Pool
Construction & Project Management: Agri-Eco-Earth cc – Prince Albert
Waterproofing & Tiling Installation: The Tile Studio – Cape Town
Tile supplier: HSN South Africa
Tile used: Emerald Green natural stone tiles
Prince Albert is a picturesque, historic town at the foot of the Swartberg Mountains in the Great Karoo of the Western Cape, South Africa. Here you will find vineyards, fruit orchards, and olive farms. There are exhibits rich with local history, including fossils and a working moonshine distillery in the Fransie Pienaar Museum. The famous 19th-century Swartberg Pass runs through the nearby Swartberg Nature Reserve and offers dramatic mountain views.
We recently had the opportunity to supply natural stone tiles to one of Agri-Eco-Earth’s clients. Based in Prince Albert, Agri-Eco-Earth offers expert renovation of existing homes, new home construction, and dedicated project management. They further assist clients with refined design concepts and project realization, carefully and precisely actualizing client wishes, often in remote environments.
I asked Neels Swart from Agri-Eco-Earth a few questions regarding this project, and it was a delight to hear such positive feedback.
The vision behind the swimming pool
According to Swart, the brief included the demolition of the existing pool, which was impractically positioned and never felt connected to the home or patio. It functioned independently rather than as part of a cohesive outdoor living environment.
The new design, led by Adan Liepner of Agri-Eco-Earth, reimagined the entire spatial relationship. By expanding the patio, the pool was repositioned to create a seamless connection between the home, garden, and patio.
The intention of the pool project was integration- ensuring that architecture, water, planting, and hardscape work together as one unified composition, said Swart.
The result of this project is a space where the pool feels intentionally anchored to the home. The Emerald Green tile, set against lush planting and a natural stone wall in the background, creates a serene and calming atmosphere for personal enjoyment, while also functioning as a true entertainer’s space.
Why the Emerald Green tiles?
“Once the decision was made to proceed with a fully tiled pool, we came across the Emerald Green natural stone tiles by HSN South Africa online,” said Swart.
At that time, we at HSN South Africa did not have the Emerald Green in stock, and alternative options were considered by the clients.
Nothing else, however, compared to the Emerald Green in terms of its colour, depth, and overall presence.
“The tone of the green was exactly what the space called for- rich yet natural, bold yet harmonious with the surrounding landscape. As the saying goes, ‘stick with your first choice,’ and that is exactly what we did,” commented Swart.
They committed to the Emerald Green tiles and have not looked back since.
Swart also mentioned that the green water tone achieved through the tile works beautifully with the planting palette and stone elements, reinforcing the calm, organic aesthetic envisioned in the design brief.
Tile performance – Installation and Result
This was the first time Agri-Eco-Earth worked with us and made use of our tiles. They had many positive things to say, complimenting us on our support in providing samples, guidance, and maintaining consistent communication throughout the duration of the project.
Swart noted that the tiles are substantial in thickness, approximately 15 mm, which presented certain technical challenges during installation due to their weight. Precision and care were therefore essential.
Nearly 13,000 tiles were laid by Graham Larkan of The Tile Studio, who executed the installation exceptionally well.
Photos: Neels Swart
The finished result speaks for itself- a visually striking and cohesive surface that gives the water remarkable depth and character, mentions Swart.
Will Agri-Eco-Earth use the tiles again for similar projects?
Every project and space is unique, and the choice of materials always responds to the surrounding environment and the design vision.
For this project, the Emerald Green tiles made a striking impression and serves as a strong design element within the space, commented Swart.
If the right opportunity presents itself, Agri-Eco-Earth would absolutely consider using the Emerald Green tile again. Because HSN South Africa offers a wide range of beautiful tile options, they would also welcome the opportunity to explore other available selections, depending on the design brief and environment.
Client feedback
We are pleased to hear that the client was extremely happy with the transformation. The most notable feedback was how interconnected the pool, patio, and home now feel. The space no longer feels segmented; instead, it functions as one continuous indoor-outdoor living environment.
The client especially appreciates how the Emerald Green finish interacts with the surrounding landscape and stone backdrop to create a peaceful and inviting atmosphere- while still delivering an impressive setting, whether for everyday use or entertainment purposes – “which will definitely be happening”, said Swart, quoting the very satisfied client.
Projects like this show how natural stone can transform a space- combining design, craftsmanship, and the right materials to create something truly special.
Written by Caylin du Plooy
Social Media Coordinator | Marketing | Office Manager
HSN South Africa
📧 [email protected] | 🌐 hsnsouthafrica.co.za
Photos: Neels Swart
