Rooftop pools are quite often infinity pools right by the edge, serving as the best view spot at the roof terrace. Some are great substitutes to beaches, in large cities like Bangkok and New York, while some are more complements to the beach and a connection to the ocean, like in Rio de Janeiro.

How do rooftop pools work?

The pool must be shaped in a way that evenly transfers the weight of the water to the supporting walls and columns. The pool vessel can then be placed within what engineers call a ring truss, keeping the building top well-connected. A series of steel posts carry the load of the pool onto the level below.

How deep are rooftop pools?

Often, the pools are shallow — 3 or 4 feet deep at most. And many of them are perched atop platforms, allowing their weight to be better distributed across the span of the buildings — and preventing costly leaking if the pools ever overflow.