About the Challenge
A real-world scenario.No budget. No excuses.
Now in its sixth year, the Million Dollar Pool Design Challenge invites the industry's top watershape designers to solve a real-world brief — a fictional couple with conflicting priorities — without the restraints of a budget. The audience and judges decide the winner, live at the International Pool | Spa | Patio Expo.
From the Press
Aqua Magazine
Feature · 2019
"The Million Dollar Pool Design Challenge is designed to give pool and landscape designers, builders and outdoor living architects a real-world scenario from which to deliver innovative design solutions without the restraints of a budget."
The challenge consists of a fictional couple seeking a designer to create the ultimate oasis in their backyard. Their conflicting priorities mimic what the pool industry often experiences when working with clients in real-world situations. Finalists present their designs live at the PSP Expo, where voting for the winning design happens on stage.
"We are absolutely thrilled with how the industry has responded to this challenge. The quality of submissions is incredible, and the number of people who have engaged with the challenge is astounding," said Tracy Garcia, CEM, show director of the PSP Expo.
The Creators
Two designers.One shared obsession.
Mike Farley and Reid Schindler built the Million Dollar Pool Design Challenge to push the industry beyond what's typical — to see what happens when the best designers in the country are given a blank check and a live audience.
Creator
Mike Farley
Master CBP, ASLA, Tributary & IWI
Mike earned his Landscape Architecture degree at Texas Tech and is a member of Tributary Revelation. He currently resides in North Texas, designing swimming pool environments for a wide range of clients across the DFW area. With over 30 years of experience, he has designed more than 1,000 unique built projects and won over 100 industry awards in California and Texas.
Mike has been featured on HGTV's Ultimate Pools — alongside four of his projects — and a lazy river of his was featured on HGTV's Cool Pools in 2013. He has taught pool design at both international and regional shows for the last 25 years, and won the Masters of Design award in 2017 and twice in 2024. He also co-hosts the Luxury Outdoor Living Podcast.
Creator
Reid Schindler
CBP, Tributary
Reid is the President of SchindlerDesignCo. in Edmond, Oklahoma, which specializes in high-end outdoor spaces. He started in the industry in 2004 at age 16 with Gohlke Pools in Denton, TX, then spent 12 years at Claffey Pools in Southlake, TX before launching his own design/build venture in 2019.
His work has garnered 25+ awards from PHTA and The MPBG and has been featured in a range of print and web publications. Reid has served as a steering member for the PHTA WAVE Young Professionals, is involved with Genesis 3, and instructs at the Southwest Pool & Spa Show. He is actively involved in Tributary Revelation.
In Partnership With
Pool | Spa | PatioExpo 2026
New Orleans Convention Center
North America's largest industry event covering all segments of pool, spa, and outdoor living. Over 10,500 outdoor living professionals attend the PSP Expo to network, find new products, maintain existing business relationships, and strengthen their knowledge and skills through education and hands-on demonstrations.
- Builder / Installer / Subcontractor
- Service / Maintenance / Repair
- Pool & Spa Retailers / Dealers
- Distributors
- Outdoor Living Retailers
- HMAC / Hospitality
- Landscape Architects & Designers
- And many more
From the Press
Pool Expo
Press Release · 2018
"This is truly a design challenge, where things like budget, circulation, and equipment are less of a concern. We want to see the ultimate in pool and outdoor living design from our industry."
— Tracy Garcia, Show Director, PSP Expo
Organizers of the International Pool | Spa | Patio Expo have worked with esteemed pool designers Reid Schindler and Mike Farley to set the parameters around the competition, which is also designed to engage students and recognize their fresh ideas through outreach programs with landscape design programs at universities.