Nick Buchholz didn’t come into the pool industry through construction or design school—he came in through the kitchen. His early ambition was to become a world-class chef, and it’s that culinary background that now shapes his approach to custom pool building at Basin Pool Designs. Based in Tennessee, Buchholz doesn’t just build pools—he assembles immersive environments with the same precision, layering, and intention as a Michelin-starred tasting menu. “It’s quite similar,” says Bucholz, “starting with the raw ingredients and trying to turn them into something spectacular.” That mindset—equal parts obsessive and creative—has positioned Basin as one of the most design-forward firms in the country, with pools that feel more like art installations than backyard amenities.
At first glance, Buchholz’s journey from aspiring chef to luxury pool designer may seem unconventional. But look closer, and the connection between haute cuisine and high-end pool building becomes apparent. Much like designing a gourmet menu, every Basin project is layered with thoughtful detail, curated ingredients, and a deeply personal creative process. “The process for me is almost the same,” says Buchholz. “I do think about it like I’m building a menu or creating a new dish.”
From Culinary Arts to Outdoor Artistry
Raised in Tennessee, Buchholz initially pursued a career in fine dining, attending culinary school and working under top chefs. But he soon realized the restaurant life—working nights, weekends, and holidays—clashed with the lifestyle he wanted. A friend introduced him to pool and landscape design, and from there, Buchholz’s trajectory shifted.
“I honestly thought I was going to be a chef,” he says. “But I was fortunate enough to get to talk someone into letting me design some projects, and I taught myself CAD.”
As 3D modeling software became accessible, Buchholz saw an opportunity. Unable to hand-draw, he leaned heavily into the new digital tools, quickly developing a skillset that blended his creative instincts with technical precision. He spent years designing for top-tier firms in Phoenix—including California Pools—before moving back home to Tennessee to start Basin Pool Designs.
Basin Pool Designs: Beyond the Ordinary
While many builders in the region chased production work during the pandemic boom, Buchholz went the opposite direction, focusing on highly custom, boutique projects.
“I’m not interested in volume,” he explains. “I want every project to be unique. It doesn’t excite me to get up and build a 20-by-40 rectangle in every backyard.”
This design-forward approach is evident in every Basin Pool Designs project. Whether it’s a highly technical pool application, a modern accent to the overall outdoor living area, or something completely visually unexpected, each project is deeply considered.
And yet, the firm isn’t about luxury for luxury’s sake. Buchholz is just as proud of using materials smartly and economically—another lesson he carried from the kitchen.
“One of my mottos I picked up from an incredible chef I worked for was ‘peasant food fit for a king,’” he shares. “We don’t have to use $100-a-square-foot tile to make it look excellent.”
Sukabumi stone, for instance, features prominently in several of Basin’s projects. It’s not exorbitantly priced, but when deployed with care and context, it elevates the entire aesthetic. It’s this philosophy—refined design, thoughtful materials, and masterful execution—that’s become Basin’s signature recipe.
The Process: Part Art, Part Engineering
For Buchholz, the design journey begins with immersion: understanding the client, the architecture of the home, the surrounding landscape, and the emotional experience the space should create.
“I sweat the small stuff,” he says. “Every little line matters. I want to bring the outdoor project indoors and vice versa, so it feels like one seamless environment.”
Buchholz’s attention to detail isn’t limited to visuals. Basin projects are engineered to the highest standards, with pressure-tested plumbing, compaction testing, and retaining systems that rival commercial installations. That blend of artistic vision and structural rigor is what earns the trust of architects, engineers, and discerning homeowners alike.
One standout project in Brentwood—a 66-foot Lautner edge pool—was constructed on unstable soil, requiring 80-foot helical piers and significant structural coordination before a single drop of water could be added.
“We had to build it upside down, basically,” Buchholz recalls. “The pool was laid out before the house was even there, and the elevation challenges were serious.”
Yet the result is flawless: an elevated mirror of still water that reflects the sky and surrounding hills. Shot by renowned photographer Jimmy Smith, the image is so iconic it’s featured prominently on PebbleTec’s website.
A Circle of Inspiration
Though Basin Pool Designs calls Tennessee home, the firm’s creative DNA is informed by Buchholz’s time in the Southwest and his participation in organizations like Tributary Revelation and Genesis. Influences like Kirk Bianchi, Randy Angell, and Ben Lasseter have helped shape his approach.
“I’ve been fortunate to be around so many good designers,” he says. “But I’m also inspired by people outside the pool world—architects, landscape designers, even chefs.”
In fact, one of Buchholz’s favorite projects—a striking elliptical pool set on a private runway in Lebanon, TN—was originally inspired by the nose cone of a DC-9 airplane. The design curves harmoniously with the surrounding garden walls and includes a custom wood diving board installed in the center of a Baja shelf.
“It was a risky design,” Buchholz admits. “But the ellipse was so captivating for that space. Even though the home is all straight lines, the pool just opens everything up in a more organic way.”
Intentional Spaces, Calming Energy
For Buchholz, a successful design isn’t just about form—it’s about feeling. One early-career build, nestled at the foot of Camelback Mountain in Arizona, remains a favorite. With its intimate integration into the home, perimeter overflow edges, and quiet minimalism, the pool delivers what he describes as “a sense of calm.”
“I like still water. It calms me,” he says. “I’m an intense person all day, and when I see that clean design and those earth tones reflecting in the water, it just levels me.”
It’s that feeling—restorative, peaceful, refined—that Buchholz wants to deliver for every client.
Selective by Design
The statement “We don’t build for everyone” appears boldly on Basin’s website. It’s not an attitude of elitism—it’s about alignment.
“I’m passionate and opinionated,” Buchholz says. “It’s easy to tell if a client will respond well to that. And if they understand the level of craftsmanship and experience we bring, then they’re probably a Basin Pool Designs client.”
That alignment is key, especially when the firm is asked to push boundaries. From raised spas and fire features to complex geometry and full outdoor living compositions, Buchholz is often asked to deliver the exceptional—and thrives under those expectations.
“Every one of these builds is a different challenge,” he adds. “But that’s what keeps it exciting.”
What’s Next for Basin Pool Designs?
Looking ahead, Buchholz wants to explore designs that blend structure and softness—organic forms with refined precision.
“I’d love to do a full perimeter-overflow circular pool,” he says. “Something modern, but it feels calm. More grasses, more earth tones, less flash.”
Whatever the form, one thing is clear: Buchholz will approach it the same way he approaches every project—with a chef’s discipline, an artist’s eye, and a builder’s commitment to excellence.
Ready to take a deeper dive?
Listen to our entire conversation with Nick Buchholz with Basin Pool Designs on the Pool Magazine podcast.
Photo Credits:
Builder: Basin Pool Designs
Photographer: Jimi Smith Photography
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