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Issue link: https://digital.miamilivingmagazine.com/i/1543371
Extend daily living space, and create a private wellness retreat that supports healthier, more intentional living. Once relegated to backyards and vacation resorts, pools are now being reimagined as architectural centerpieces, places where design, technology, and well-being quietly converge. Looking toward 2026, Miami Living spoke with Mitch Martinek, design manager at Diamond Spas & Pools (diamondspas.com), about the trends shaping the future of custom aquatic environments. Operating for nearly three decades, the company has built a global reputation for custom aquatic design, creating pools, spas, and water features for private residences, hotels, and wellness destinations worldwide. Unlike traditional builders that rely on fiberglass or gunite, Diamond Spas fabricates vessels from stainless steel, copper, glass, and floating structures, materials that allow for greater design flexibility, durability, and long-term performance. Miami Living: How are lifestyle and wellness influencing pool and spa design in 2026? Mitch Martinek: Clients now view pools and spas as personal wellness retreats rather than occasional luxury features. They want calm, restorative spaces designed for daily use. Many are requesting year-round functionality and integrating fitness elements such as swim currents for training or underwater treadmills for therapy. ML: How has sustainability been integrated into Diamond Spas projects? Martinek: All of our products are fabricated using recycled stainless steel. We also offer systems that integrate with geothermal and solar power, which helps reduce the overall energy impact of our vessels. ML: How has technology changed the way you design pools and spas today? Martinek: Modern pool equipment can integrate seamlessly