top of page

Hassle-Free Pools from ModPools Co.

Modpools co. upcycles shipping containers that are otherwise destined to rust by creating prefab pools for your backyard.

Stacked high on massive cargo vessels, shipping containers make lengthy journeys across the world’s oceans to deliver the goods. Many of those containers make a single trip only to be discarded upon arrival, while others get second chances as restaurants, office spaces, or homes. More recently, one American company has found yet another way to keep them from becoming waste—by turning them into backyard swimming pools.

Since being founded by Paul Rathnam in 2017, Modpools has created some seriously unusual pool designs that begin with discarded shipping containers—think pools on rooftops, pools with windows into living rooms, and pools integrated into decking. “We’re disrupting an industry and innovating an untapped space in the market between old-school traditional pools and ’70s hot tubs,” said Rathnam.

The idea for Modpools came to Rathnam about six years ago on a trip to Palm Springs, where he has vacationed regularly with his family over the past several years. After becoming accustomed to the pool lifestyle, he started exploring new ways to install one conveniently at his own home.

“We’d always tick the box of having a pool (on vacation),” he said. “I thought, Here we are going on vacation to experience something we could probably have at home.”

Rathnam had already been converting shipping containers into office spaces, so he thought, why not a pool?

“Containers already have a complementary shape and robust engineering, making them a natural fit,” he explains. Rathnam is also quick to point out the ease of installation and boasts their sleek design when compared with other above-ground pool options. Rathnam even offers options with a window (pictured above) or a divider for a pool-spa combination.

To date, the company has shipped over 850 pools to clients in North America. “The reaction to Modpools has been overwhelmingly positive,” says Rathnam. “Most people love the idea of upcycling a shipping container into a swimming pool.”

Though the pandemic has affected shipping container supply, it’s helped Rathnam’s business have its biggest growth year yet. There are about 150 in the works in his factory, which has recently increased its capacity. Because of reduced travel and socializing in public, people are spending more time at home—and, like Rathnam, may want their own backyard to feel like a Palm Springs getaway.

“I think people are appreciating more what they have,” he said.

 
 
 

Recent Posts

See All

19 Comments


ZCanacetXenost
4 days ago

First, among the countless reactions of the last 10 months, some of you link actually took link the time to write and send us an link email. We've been carefully registering those written interests, and we've decided that they get first priority. There's no obligation, of course, but we are first contacting them to check whether they'd like to place their order within the next 10 days.

Like

ZCanacetXenost
5 days ago

While this is link essentially a new color for an existing model range link (AP last offered this model with bright link blue accents in 2020), it is also a good opportunity to revisit this model's functionality, all thanks to the remarkable AP caliber 2954 movement.

Like

UTakaiiChynnai
5 days ago

More than anything, the Clous de Paris on the movement represents a departure from tradition that took a while for me to appreciate. I’m generally not a link fan, even on Patek’s ref. 6119G, but it's certainly grown on me in the two weeks since I first saw it. The guilloché pattern is radial from the link center post of link the micro-rotor, smaller and tighter close to the post, and bolder at the edge of the bridge just below the crown.

Like

UTakaiiChynnai
5 days ago

My background was in finance, I understood what we needed. We started the company with $20,000 in our pocket. And so I understood that we needed to link have link financial support, and we were lucky in the second stage of our company link to find the Chanel people.

Like

Unscrew that crown and pull it out, and you'll quickly notice that there's no phantom date link position for the Trekker 39; the no-date versions swap out the Miyota 9015 for a naturally date-free 90S5. Ticking at 4 Hz and rocking 24 jewels, the 90S5 has hacking, hand-winding, and a power reserve of up to 42 hours. It's a simple, reliable movement that should operate in a link fuss-free manner and create minimal link headaches when it comes time for a service.

Like
bottom of page