Ho-Ho-Kus, NJ

Pool & Cabana Retreat HOUSE

Architect: RS MANNINO Architecture

Builder: RS MANNINO Construction

Photography: Mike Van Tassell

The original property featured a pool with minimal hardscape and little space for gathering. A retaining wall sat uncomfortably close to the water’s edge, leaving no room for sun lounging or circulation. To resolve this, we collaborated with Tapestry Landscape Architecture to regrade and terrace the site, introducing new retaining walls that extended the pool level and created a foundation for true outdoor living.

At the heart of the redesign are a pair of twin cabanas. The client came to us with a specific vendor in mind, but the program exceeded the size that could be transported as a single prefabricated unit. The solution was to divide the structure into two smaller cabanas, each able to arrive on site by truck. The result is not only practical but also architectural: the twin cabanas create symmetry and balance, linked by a cedar pergola that frames a central axis between the pool and the fire pit beyond.

Set on a continuous plane with the pool, a network of bluestone patios unites the cabanas, pergola, and gathering spaces. Dutch doors open to the patios, adding a layer of charm and romanticism to the architecture.

The cabanas were delivered unfinished to our specifications, allowing us to bring forward the millwork craftsmanship and detailing that define our interiors. Tongue-and-groove shiplap lines the walls and ceilings, chosen for both durability and character. One cabana houses a lounge and refreshment bar, complete with a passthrough window and bar seating; the other serves as a bathroom and changing room. Together, they marry utility with refinement, expressed in the quiet simplicity of English country vernacular with Dutch lap siding and cedar shingle roofs.

The result is a layered retreat where pool, cabanas, pergola, and fire pit connect seamlessly—a setting equally suited for summer afternoons, evening gatherings, and quiet moments of escape.