Built in 2022-2023, this "Essential" style natural pool features an underwater wooden wall that separates the planted filtration area from a central swimming area. This serene natural pool is complete with a waterfall, zero entry pebble beach and wooden pier w/ ladder. Learn to build your own Essential natural pool like this one through the Essential Online Course, how-to ebook and Essential NSP Construction Plans right now at The Natural Pool Academy. ​

We are excited to now be able to offer financing for our Natural Swimming Pool and Pond projects! Available through HFS Financial in amounts up to $500,000 with terms as long as 20 years - click on the button below for more info:

Our Designer Sophia was recently featured on the Paloola podcast episode exploring the benefits of swimming in nature. Sophia goes into the design and building process of our natural swimming pools as well as a basic review of how we maintain water clarity using built-in biological filters. She discusses the joy of making a swimming pool that looks as if it was always meant to be there, and that brings joy year-round to any nature lover.

We encourage you to listen to this podcast as the rest of the featured guests also share their stories of the joy and pleasure they experience from swimming in natural bodies of water.


Paloola is a monthly podcast written and hosted by Paula de la Cruz. It explores topics in art, design, health and technology inspired by botany and nature.

Find this episode of Paloola and more everywhere you listen to your podcasts

We are so excited to have one of our favorite projects featured in DesignKC Magazine, which showcases the best in Kansas City architecture and outdoor living! We designed and built this contemporary Natural Swimming Pool in 2019. Visit our Projects page for more info about this natural pool. For more articles and media mentions of Total Habitat, see our In the News page.

At Camp Prairie Schooner's new Aquatic Center in KCMO, our goal was to create a naturalistic climbing experience that would excite and challenge campers for years to come! The main attraction, an enormous, themed concrete boulder features a carved climb-able face which users can swim up to (one at a time) and free climb, without the use of ropes or harnesses. Once to the top of the wall (or as far up as they can get) users fall or jump back into the water, ensuring a safe yet challenging climbing experience. The camp's new Aquatic Center, which also features a naturalistic splash pad and several other themed concrete edge boulders is open to campers as of Summer 2019!

To do your part for the planet this Earth Day check out your local government and parks and recreation department for volunteer clean-up opportunities, or check out the ​earth day website​ to find out more what Earth Day means and how you can help with even small efforts. If you are local to the Kansas City area like us, check out​ Friends of the Kaw​ or ​Bridging the Gap​ for volunteer or donation opportunities!

Reminiscent of a nautilus shell, this pool design features an underwater pebble pathway which spirals down into the circular swimming area. This pebble beach path (shown on the left below) is bordered by a mossy sandstone rock bubbler and a trio of "floating" stepping boulders.

This circular, 25,000 gallon Natural Swimming Pool is approximately 30ft overall with a 25ft x 20ft swimming area. Constructed of dry-stacked sandstone, this pool features a built-in biological filtration system, which keeps the water clean and clear without chemicals. This nautilus inspired pool can be built in 3-4 weeks for $70-75,000!

Top Left: Initial enclosure concept rendering   Bottom Left: During construction   Right: Finished gecko enclosure 

Left: Enclosure in progress     Right: Finished gecko enclosure

Designed and built by Total Habitat, this 12 foot deep, spring-fed Natural Swimming Pool/Pond is nestled in the heart of the rolling Tennessee hills. Completed this summer (2017), this swimming hole offers unlimited fun with an 18 foot waterslide, gentle-entry pebble beach, and waterfall with hidden grotto!