With a pedigree that includes 15 years of working for Belgian master architect Vincent Van Duysen, Marc Merckx designs elegantly minimal furnishings and spaces with a quiet air of luxury.

A dark, spare pool house reflects his design philosophy: “a constant search for the perfect balance between proportions, materials, and space.”

Photography courtesy of Marc Merckx.

Above: Antwerp-based Merckx, who designs custom furniture for his interiors, last year launched a new line of garden furniture (in collaboration with Pieter Maes) for Tribú.

Above: A black steel pergola visually connects the pool house to the swimming pool.

Above: The pool house has a black timber facade.

Above: Inside the pool house, a neutral palette and natural materials reinforce the connection to nature.

Above: A trough sink is a simple shape, but with exaggerated proportions that make it the focus of the room.

Above: Tongue and groove paneling covers a wall of concealed storage.

Above: The pool surface is a dark, moody blue to reflect the sky and surrounding trees.

For more of our favorite swimming pools, see our Pool of the Week collection.