Pooling Design Ideas

A Los Angeles cultural symbol, the swimming pool, is the focus of a “Cool Pools” guided, self-driving tour Aug. 21. Armed with maps and narrative brochures, participants will start in the Hollywood Hills and drive west along Sunset Boulevard, stopping at some of the most noted residential pools in Southern California. The tour ends with a reception in Brentwood.

“This is a first,” said tour coordinator John Ellis of the sponsoring Society of Architectural Historians.

“We thought it seemed an obvious thing to do in L.A., to look at swimming pools, especially on Sunset, the quintessential Southern California lifestyle. We’ll explore how different architects and designers approach pools.”

Docents at each location will describe the architectural significance of each house (architects include Pierre Koenig, Richard Neutra and Luis Ortega) and their swimming pools, which range from classic kidney shapes to sculptured waterfalls. The homes will not be open to visitors.

The tour is $47 for members and $63 for nonmembers, with proceeds benefiting the “Discover Architecture” education program. Reservations should be made by Saturday at (310) 472-4799.