Skip Phillips, International Vanishing Edge Education Program Instructor and Questar Pools’ owner and founder, is one of the world’s most renowned designers and builders of custom swimming pools, spas and other forms of aquatic architecture. Skip has decades of expertise in Infinity Edge, Zero Edge and Vanishing Edge Design.

His rise to public prominence first crystallized in 1993 when The Robb Report declared him “the world’s most influential swimming pool designer.” Since then streams of sterling kudos and commendations have flowed through almost-constant coverage in trade magazines, television segments including multiple HGTV appearances, newspapers and prestigious national publications including Better Homes & Gardens, New York Times and Wall Street Journal. In recent years, his high-flying profile has spread internationally through sources including Germany’s IQ magazine, Canada’s World’s Best and the Italian design journal Piscine Oggi, and by way of his live educational presentations in Italy, Australia, Bali and Germany.

In this video, Phillips sits down with Pool Spa Pro to talk about his overall design philosophy—and reveals two ways pool buidlers can bring the entire backyard into their designs.