Beyond Beige: A Custom Abstract Pool Mosaic in Jumeirah Islands, Dubai
“The client wanted a differently designed pool mosaic. something away from the usual designs & MEC delivered just that”
—Design Head, First Within
A collaboration between a UK-based design firm, First Within and MEC Artworks Studio. The creation of an abstract pool mosaic for a luxury home in Jumeirah Islands, Dubai. An out-of-the-ordinary style pool mosaic in rich shades of orange and red.
Client Brief for This Abstract Mosaic
Our Dubai team secured this project in collaboration with First Within, A UK-based interior design firm.
MEC Artworks has created many pool mosaics across at least three continents. We pride ourselves on our expertise in providing excellent turnkey services in this area across Dubai and the GCC.
Our client requested something out of the ordinary for their pool mosaic.
Generally, clients select varying shades of blue for pool mosaics. Imagery is often sea-life related.
They wanted an abstract design pattern. In terms of colours, our client wanted something more dramatic.
Hand-cut glass was the material of choice for the iridescent effect in natural and artificial light.
We worked closely with First Within throughout the project and shared updates regularly.
Mosaic Artwork in Dubai & the GCC
The market for mosaic artwork in Dubai and other places in the GCC is ripe. MEC Artworks is a central part of it, and we are enjoying decorating GCC spaces with our custom bespoke mosaics.
The demand for bespoke mosaic art seems to be increasing day by day in these countries. Our Dubai orders are swamped, and we are working steadily to fulfil them.
The scenario for mosaic artwork is great in these areas, as construction of new structures and revamping of old ones is continuous here.
Abu Dhabi provides an amazing new avenue for the crafting of bespoke mosaics of different kinds for the uplifting of decor in several types of spaces like residential areas, malls, recreational spots and public structures.
A host of new buildings are in the construction pipeline for several new islands in Abu Dhabi. Space is being reclaimed from desert areas and turned into residential and commercial buildings for the influx of people looking to visit and settle in the GCC.
Dubai and other Gulf countries offer lucrative work and business venture opportunities. New offices and setups are being built and made operational every day.
The newly operating spaces, whether commercial or residential, are mostly luxury spaces.
Naturally, a luxury space’s decor is somewhat incomplete until it exhibits a custom mosaic crafted with the sole intention of elevating the luxury of the place a hundredfold.
The best way to incorporate mosaic artwork in a space is by crafting it at the time the space is being built. Like this the artwork becomes an integral part of the structure.
- Wall niches built to accommodate a certain wall mosaic
- Kitchen islands and counters with mosaic artwork as their integral surface.
- Marble floor rugs that are crafted when the rest of the floor is being laid.
- Outdoor mosaics which will welcome visitors to that space for years to come.
MEC Artworks crafts mosaics that become a part of the place’s identity. Artwork that will last for decades and define a space.
Inspiration Moodboard for This Abstraction
Our design team started off by working on the colour palette. They first thought of more greens, but after the design firm communicated that reds would be preferable, they began exploring reds and oranges.
The design team finalised a mixture of lots of exotic shades of red and orange, including Burgundy, Garnet Red, Terracotta, Burnt Orange, Coral, and Tangerine Orange.
A few handfuls of tiles with shades slightly varying from the above-mentioned shades were also added. View another pool in red and gold hues crafted by MEC Artworks.
The result was a seamless flow of one colour into another while keeping the individual beauty of each shade intact.
The background was crafted in ivory for a more striking contrast with the main colours.
The pattern was developed as the actual crafting took place. It was mostly organic, natural forms with a hint towards many elements in nature.
Design Development
Colour Palettes
The most important part of this pattern’s development was defining shades for the abstraction. With an initial leaning towards greens, a selection of reds and oranges was ultimately made.
Apart from the selected Burgundy, Garnet Red, Terracotta, Burnt Orange, Coral, and Tangerine Orange shades, many hues in between these colours were also made part of the mosaic. This made the abstract mosaic motifs seem to change colour in a very natural way.
The Abstract Pattern
The pattern is best described as biotic-looking shapes like many forms in nature. Something like plants in the shape of flowing vines. Animals like coral or insects. Natural patterns, like designs formed by soil getting washed away or natural cloud formations. Our artisans, following the andamento technique, went with the flow while crafting, and our client loved the outcome!
Though the pixelated pool mosaic style had been finalized for this pool mosaic venture, at the time of crafting some of the shapes for tesserae were decided and created at the time of crafting. This is where the beauty of hand-crafted mosaic lies. Art that doesn’t follow the design pattern only. It has a will of its own too.
Material for the Mosaic
The mosaic was built with hand-cut glass. Each border tessera of each organic shape was especially cut and styled to fit in with the flow of the pattern. Glass is a popular option for pool mosaics as it is impervious, durable and has iridescent qualities too.
Glass is considered the best option for luxury pools. It is easy to clean and doesn’t require regular maintenance. If installed with the correct protocol, pool mosaics last decades.
The interaction of light with glass is another reason why clients usually opt for glass pool mosaics. In the hot sun of the GCC climate, glass tiles sparkle with reflected sunlight, adding another level of magnificence to the pool decor.
The Crafting Process of This Mosaic
Our Expert Artisans at Work
“An organic mosaic in bold daring colours. one of the few of its kind”
— Design Team
The crafting process of this mosaic was more of a ‘go with the flow’ kind of procedure.
The mosaic was made to cover the whole interior of the pool. The pool walls, stairs and floor. As this was a large surface to cover, the mosaic was crafted in sections.
Each section held about two to three of the organic forms. Our Italian-trained team of craftsmen not only followed the agreed pixelated design pattern but their instinct too.
The design pattern, though crafted separately in sections, was made to give a seamless look across the length of the pool. One tile was set in place for each pixel in the 2D render.
Each shape distinct and beautiful. The andamento technique spoke for itself in the completed artwork. The combination of colours was also just breathtaking to behold.
Apart from the selected colour range, shades in between these were also developed, as it happens with handcrafted mosaic art. This added that special extra to the pool mosaic, which is what makes handcrafted mosaics unique.
The blend of the reds with the oranges cooked up a riot of colour, with each pixel/ tile’s colour distinctive in the pale background.
Pixels at Work In Mosaic Art
Pixelated mosaic artwork is a relatively new branch of mosaic art design. It has come into being because of the advancement of technology and the use of pixels in this branch of art and craft.
‘Pixel’ is short for picture element. It is basically the smallest unit that makes up a digital picture. Think of pixels like the pieces of a jigsaw that are put together to complete the puzzle.
In pixelated mosaic art, each pixel of a digital image is matched to one tessera
(the tiny tiles that are used in mosaic art). For irregular-shaped structures, which means most of the design patterns that are crafted into mosaics, tiles are hand-cut to achieve the desired shape.
The organic forms in this pool mosaic project had various irregular shapes. All the motifs were different from each other, but when looked at from a distance, they seemed to complement and fit in with one another.
Each motif was worked upon separately with the rule of one tessera to one pixel. The tesserae were in shades of Burgundy, Garnet Red, Terracotta, Burnt Orange, Coral, and Tangerine Orange, with other shades in between them.
Mesh sections for each motif were prepared separately, and the tesserae were placed on top of the sheet to create each motif. The tesserae had several different shapes. Each shape was hand-cut by our Italian-trained team of artisans.
A Bold Mosaic Venture
“The pool mosaic turned out just the way we wanted. Different than the usual ones and beautiful all the same”
— Our Client, Dubai
This pool mosaic by our client was quite a bold venture when compared to the general trend in pool mosaics.
MEC Artworks has created logo pools, sea-life-inspired pool mosaics and pools with blue abstract patterns by the dozen. They are, no doubt, beautiful, but ‘safe’ options in pool mosaic art.
However, it is the very daringly artistic clients who move away from the standardised rules of pool mosaics, and this particular client was one of them.
Our collaboration with First Within was smooth and seamless, with timely communication on both sides.
We take pride in the fact that, although it was a challenging project, this mosaic venture was completed within the time frame promised to the client.
Many aspects that required discussion and confirmation were handled promptly and professionally.
This pool for a private residence in the Jumeirah Islands, Dubai, was somewhat of a forerunner in setting trends. Several other requests for pool mosaics in different, flashy shades have been made since its installation.
Clients seem to be moving from the classical blue shade and sea life pool mosaics to abstract motifs, startling colours, altogether newer types of designs for pool mosaic art.
FAQs
Will the red and orange glass colours fade when exposed to sunlight and pool chemicals?
High-quality glass mosaic is highly resistant to UV exposure, moisture, and normal pool chemicals. For a pool installation, the glass, adhesive, grout, and installation system should all be selected specifically for submerged and outdoor conditions to help preserve the colours and finish over time.
Can the abstract pattern be customised to suit my pool?
Yes. An abstract design can be customised in terms of pattern, scale, colours, and dimensions. The flowing forms can be adapted to the pool’s shape, whether it is a rectangular swimming pool, curved pool, infinity pool, or a feature area such as a spa or shallow end.
Will the glass mosaic look different underwater?
Yes. Water can enhance the depth and luminosity of glass, making reds and oranges appear particularly vibrant. Natural daylight, pool lighting, water depth, and the surrounding finishes can all influence the final appearance, so colour samples or a small mock-up are recommended before production.
How do I maintain a red and orange glass mosaic pool?
It is easy to maintain glass mosaics. Regular pool cleaning, proper water chemistry, and removal of mineral deposits help preserve its appearance. The grout and installation system also need appropriate maintenance because they play an important role in the long-term performance of the pool mosaic.
How long does it take to design and install a custom abstract glass mosaic in a Dubai pool?
The timeline depends on the pool’s size, the complexity of the abstract pattern, and the installation conditions. Custom design and fabrication may take several weeks, while on-site installation can take additional time. Dubai’s heat also requires careful management of adhesive and grout curing. A detailed schedule from the mosaic company and installer helps ensure the finished design is ready for use without compromising durability.
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