Elevating Poolside Ambience With Gobo Projections

When Laurence Lindsay, Lighting Designer at LDA Technical, needed to enhance the lighting in a swimming pool facility, he used Rosco Image Spot HO 3000K gobo projectors. Recommended by Rosco dealer GoboPlus, these compact yet powerful LED fixtures were paired with the standard steel gobos #77570 Sponged to create soft, textured patterns on the poolside decking, sauna, and jacuzzi areas. Below, Lindsay explains how gobo projections transformed the space into a relaxing and visually captivating environment. 

 Gobo projections combined with coloured illumination create a calm and immersive atmosphere inside the swimming pool building. 

Lighting was a crucial element of this project, carefully designed for both elegance and functionality. In the swimming pool building, I wanted to go beyond conventional design — creating a highly relaxing, beautiful, and vibrant atmosphere with unique elements not typically seen in such facilities. With my theatre lighting background, texture was a priority. I introduced gobo projectors to softly pattern the poolside decking, sauna, and jacuzzi, adding a layer of visual interest without overpowering the space. Carefully dialling in a sponged gobo effect helped bridge the gap between architectural and theatrical lighting, enhancing the space’s depth and ambiance. 

 Image Spot HO project #77570 Sponged gobo effect onto the pool deck. 

The fixtures needed to be at least IP55 for the humid pool environment and had to be installed within zone 2 (2.5m above the pool basin) to comply with BS7671 wiring regulations. They also needed to be DMX controllable, warm white LED engine, compact in size, have a focusable lens set and needed to be able to cut through daylight as well. The limited mounting options made achieving the desired image size without dazzling occupants a particular challenge. 

Unobtrusive white Image Spot HO fixtures blend seamlessly with the wooden ceiling. 

With this precise specification in mind, I turned to GoboPlus. Richard Mckitty, Director of Business Development at GoboPlus, quickly helped identify the ideal solution: Six Rosco Image Spot HO 3000K IP65-rated fixtures. On arrival, the build quality was immediately impressive. After assembling the units and fitting gobos, I conducted daylight tests using temporary mains power to confirm placement. The output was strikingly bright with crisp optics. The combined data and power tails made junction box installation practical, and during programming, an average intensity of just 35% was enough to achieve a refined, balanced gobo wash that seamlessly complemented the wider architectural lighting scheme. 

Gobo projections illuminate poolside areas, creating a sense of depth and tranquillity. 

Thanks to Richard Mckitty and Laurence Lindsay for sharing this beautiful project with us.

To learn more about the product Lindsay used to enhance the lighting design inside the swimming pool building, visit the Image Spot HO and Gobos product pages on the Rosco website.

Credits:
Client: LDA Technical
Design and Installation: Laurence Lindsay
Photographer: Nadi Lindsay Photography