Aquarius Pools, a Melbourne builder of custom concrete pools and spas, had a standout year in 2023. Aquarius Pools’ industry awards that year centred on commercial work. Specifically, the company earned gold at the state level, the national level, and from a master builders’ association. This article lists the awards won in 2023 and explains why each one matters.

Key Takeaways

• Aquarius Pools won four SPASA awards in 2023, two at state level and two at national level.
• Additionally, the company took gold for Best Commercial Project over $1 Million from the Master Pool Builders Association of Australia (MPBAA).
• The Victorian gala ran on 21 and 22 July 2023, and the national awards followed on 2 September.
• Alba Thermal Springs appears on the national results as the gold entry for Commercial Project of the Year.
• Paul McQuillan Landscapes shared the commercial recognition in SPASA announcements.
• However, the top National Pool of the Year prize went to Graziani Pools + Landscapes.
• In addition, the 2023 results focused on commercial projects, whereas earlier wins covered residential pools.
• Founded in 1979, Aquarius Pools builds concrete pools across Melbourne, Bayside, and the Mornington Peninsula.

Company Background and Reputation

Aquarius Pools began in 1979 when the Jackson family founded the business. Today, the Jackson and Edrupt families co-own it, and Chris Jackson serves as managing director. Furthermore, the team builds bespoke concrete pools and spas for both homes and commercial clients. Its work spans Melbourne, Bayside, and the Mornington Peninsula.

The company already held a strong record before 2023. For example, it won Pool of the Year at both the SPASA Victoria and SPASA Australia awards in 2016. In addition, it took the Remco Pool of the Year title in 2021. Consequently, the 2023 results build on a long history of recognition.

Gold Awards at the Victorian Gala

SPASA Victoria hosted its Awards of Excellence Gala on Saturday, 22 July 2023, at the Crowne Promenade Melbourne. A virtual awards event opened the program on Friday, 21 July. Aquarius Pools took gold in two categories across the program. Specifically, it won Commercial Project of the Year and Best Commercial Project over $1 Million.

SPASA announcements name Aquarius Pools and Paul McQuillan Landscapes together for the commercial honour. In other words, the builder and the landscaper shared the recognition. Moreover, the Victorian wins gave the company a route into the national round in September. Indeed, SPASA treats state gold winners as contenders for the national awards.

National Recognition at the SPASA Awards of Excellence

SPASA Australia presented its National Awards of Excellence on Saturday, 2 September 2023, in Sydney. Aquarius Pools won both National Commercial Project of the Year and National Best Commercial Project over $1 Million. Furthermore, the national results list Alba Thermal Springs, credited to Aquarius Pools, as the gold winner for Commercial Project of the Year.

SPASA calls these awards the industry’s most prestigious, covering construction, design, manufacturing, supply, products, retail, and service. However, the top honour, National Pool of the Year, went to Graziani Pools + Landscapes. Nevertheless, a gold in a commercial category carries real weight within the trade. In particular, it shows that industry peers rate the work at the highest level.

MPBAA Gold Award for Commercial Work

The Master Pool Builders Association of Australia also honoured Aquarius Pools in 2023. The company received the MPBAA Gold Award for Best Commercial Project over $1 Million. Therefore, that category earned gold from two separate industry bodies. As a result, the company can cite both SPASA and the MPBAA when it describes its commercial credentials.

Commercial Projects Versus Residential Pools

Commercial pools differ from backyard pools in several ways. For instance, they typically serve many visitors and face stricter public-use requirements. Consequently, commercial work demands not only technical skill but also careful project management.

Aquarius Pools still builds residential pools, however. In fact, its recognition page lists residential honours from 2021 and 2022 alongside the 2023 commercial wins. On the other hand, every 2023 award fell in a commercial category, which makes that year distinct.

Why These Results Matter to Clients

Awards do not guarantee a perfect build. However, they give clients an independent signal of quality. In particular, industry peers recognise the winners, so the praise does not come from the company itself. Therefore, homeowners and commercial buyers can use the results as one input when they compare builders.

The 2023 record also shows consistency. Aquarius Pools won at the state, national, and association levels within a single year. Additionally, each award names a specific project category, which gives buyers clear context about what the company did well.

How to Verify the Results

Readers can check these results directly. The SPASA Awards website lists the 2023 national gold winners by category. Similarly, SPASA news pages publish the Victorian and national winner lists. Moreover, Aquarius Pools keeps a recognition page that lists its recent awards by year and category. Accordingly, anyone can confirm the details before making a decision.