Swimming Pool and Spa Design Awards

Lew poses with two awards
that he won in 2007.

Industry awards help to give you a good, honest “third party” opinion about a builder's talents and quality of workmanship. Of course, you only have to build one great pool to call yourself “an award-winning pool builder.” But Lew Akins has been winning awards since 1987, with over one hundred awards when he was at Ocean Quest Pools in Austin, and another sixty or so since he founded Ocean Quest Pools By Lew Akins. You must admit that at 187 awards and counting, the phrase “award-winning” starts to become an understatement.

 

Lew poses with the eleven awards
that he won in 2004.

Award winners are chosen by independent third party experts who know a lot about pools, such as The Association of Pool and Spa Professionals, the National Spa and Pool InstitutePool and Spa News national industry magazine. and the Pool and Spa News national industry magazine.


Over the years, Lew has written numerous articles on pool design and “negative edge” pool as well as regular columns and feature articles for Pool and Spa News for years.


Click here to see the list of awards

 

Ocean Quest Pools By Lew Akins

Ocean Quest Pools of Austin

(Courtesy of Sandy Vollentine / Ocean Quest Pools)

 

Ocean Quest Pools By Lew Akins

Ocean Quest Pools By Lew Akins

Year Association Type of Award Award Name
2010
APSP
 Region 3 Design Award Gold- Freeform 450 sq. ft. or less
2010
APSP
 Region 3 Design Award Gold- Hot tubs/ spas/ water features
2009
APSP
 Awards of Excellence Gold- Natural Materials
2009
APSP
 Awards of Excellence Gold- Spas Built in conjunction with swimming pools
2009
APSP
 Region 3 Design Award Gold- Natural Materials
2009
APSP
 Region 3 Design Award Merit- Traditional 600 sq. ft. or less
2009
APSP
 Region 3 Design Award Gold- Technical Engineering Achievement
2009
APSP
 Best of Temple Electronic Educational Training Material
2008
APSP
 Region 3 Design Awards Gold- Freeform 451-759 sq. ft.
2008
APSP
 Region 3 Design Awards Gold- Natural Materials
2008
APSP
 Region 3 Design Awards Bronze- Geometric 600 sq. ft. or less
2008
APSP
 Region 3 Design Awards Bronze- Vanishing edge 600 sq. ft. or less
2007
APSP
 Award of Excellence Residential Concrete Geometric, 600 sq ft or less
2007
APSP
 Award of Excellence Residential Concrete Natural Material Vanishing Spa
2007
APSP
 National Design Award Bronze Award in Negative Edge Pools 601 sq ft or more
2007
APSP
 National Design Award Award of Merit in Res. Conc. Traditional 601 sq ft or more
2007
APSP
 National Design Award Award of Merit in in Res. Conc. Freeform 600 sq ft or less
2007
APSP
 National Design Award Bronze Award in Res Conc. Natural 600 sq or less
2007
APSP
 National Design Award, Region 3 Bronze Award in Spas Built in Conjunction with a Swimming Pool
2007
APSP
 National Design Award, Region 3 Award of Merit in Swim Spas under 200 sq ft that has swim jets in a portion of the vessel
2007
APSP
 National Design Award, Region 3 Silver Award in Negative Edge Pools Conc. 600 sq ft or less
2006
Carecraft
 Design Excellence Design Excellence
2006
Jorwest
 Showroom Design Award Best Showroom over 1,500 sq ft
2005
APSP
 International Awards of Excellence Silver Medal in Freeform 751 sq ft
2005
Carecraft
 Design Excellence Design Excellence
2005
Jacuzzi
 Exceptional Customer Service Award Outstanding Customer Satisfaction
2005
NSPI
 National Design Award, Region 3 Award of Merit in Negative Edge Pools 610 sq ft or more (A)
2005
NSPI
 National Design Award, Region 3 Award of Merit in Negative Edge Pools 610 sq ft or more (B)
2004-2005
Belton Adopt-a-School
 Partnership Award Belton Adopt-a-School Partnership Award
2004
Carecraft
 Design Excellence Design Excellence
2004
NSPI
 National Design Award, Region 3 Bronze Award in Commercial Water Features (A)
2004
NSPI
 National Design Award, Region 3 Bronze Award in Commercial Water Features (B)
2004
NSPI
 National Design Award, Region 3 Award of Merit in Conc. Spas Exterior Use
2004
NSPI
 National Design Award, Region 3 Award of Merit in Negative Edge Pools 610 sq ft or more
2004
NSPI
 National Design Award, Region 3 Gold Award in Negative Edge Pools 610 sq ft or more
2004
NSPI
 National Design Award, Region 3 Silver Award in Negative Edge Pools 610 sq ft or more
2004
NSPI
 National Design Award, Region 3 Award of Merit in Negative Edge Pools Conc. 600 sq ft or less
2004
NSPI
 National Design Award, Region 3 Award of Merit in Portable Spas Interior or Exterior Use
2004
NSPI
 National Design Award, Region 3 Bronze Award in Portable Spas Interior or Exterior Use
2004
NSPI
 National Design Award, Region 3 Gold Award in Portable Spas Interior or Exterior Use
2004
NSPI
 National Design Award, Region 3 Award of Merit in Swimming Pools Displayed in a Retail Environment (A)
2004
NSPI
 National Design Award, Region 3 Award of Merit in Swimming Pools Displayed in a Retail Environment (B)
2004
NSPI
 National Design Award, Region 3 Award of Merit in Technical-Engineering Achievement (A)
2004
NSPI
 National Design Award, Region 3 Award of Merit in Technical-Engineering Achievement (B)
2003
Carecraft
 Design Excellence Design Excellence
2003
NSPI
 International Awards of Excellence Bronze Medal in Commercial Water Features
2003
NSPI
 National Design Award, Region 3 Bronze award, Negative edge pools
2003
NSPI
 National Design Award, Region 3 Award of Merit in Res Conc. Natural 610 sq ft or more of water surface area
2003
NSPI
 National Design Award, Region 3 Silver Award in Technical-Engineering Achievement Swimming Pools requiring unique technical-engineering expertise
2002
Carecraft
 Design Excellence Design Excellence
2001
Carecraft
 Design Excellence Design Excellence
2001
NSPI
 International Awards of Excellence Award of Merit in Technical-Engineering Achievement
2001
NSPI
 National Design Award, Region 3 Award of Merit in Residential Concrete Geometric 601 sq ft or more of water surface area
2001
NSPI
 National Design Award, Region 3 Gold Award in Manufactured Spas built in Conj. with a swimming pool
2001
NSPI
 National Design Award, Region 3 Award of Merit in Negative Edge Pools Conc.
2001
Pool & Spa News
 Industry's Choice Distinguished Builder
2000
Carecraft
 Design Excellence Design Excellence
2000
NSPI
 International Design Award Bronze Medal in Pools with Vanishing Edge 600 sq ft or less
2000
NSPI
 National Award, Region 3 Hall of Fame Gold Award
2000
NSPI
 National Award, Region 3 Hall of Fame Silver Award
2000
Pool & Spa News
 Industry's Choice Distinguished Builder

Ocean Quest Pools of Austin
(Courtesy of Sandy Vollentine / Ocean Quest Pools)

Year Association Type of Award Award Name
1999
Pool & Spa News
 Industry's Choice Distinguished Builder
1999
Carecraft
 Design Excellence Design Excellence
1998
Pool & Spa News
 Industry's Choice Distinguished Builder
1998
Paramount
 Appreciation Award Appreciation of Outstanding Effort and Product Support
1998
NSPI
 National Design Award, Region 3 Award of Merit in Residential Concrete Natural 600 sq ft or less
1998
NSPI
 National Design Award, Region 3 Bronze Medal in Negative Edge Pools
1998
NSPI
 International Design Award Gold Medal in Technical-Engineering Achievement
1998
NSPI
 International Design Award Silver Medal in Pools with Automatic Covers
1998
NSPI
 International Design Award Silver Medal in Natural Conc. Pools 601 sq ft or more
1998
NSPI
 International Design Award Bronze Medal in Geometric Conc. Pools 600 sq ft or less
1998
NSPI
 International Design Award Bronze Medal in Freeform Conc. 601 sq ft or more
1998
Carecraft
 Design Excellence Design Excellence
1997-98
NSPI
 International Design Award Award of Merit in Residential Concrete Freeform under 600 sq ft
1997-98
NSPI
 International Design Award Award of Merit in Residential Concrete Freeform 601 sq ft or more
1997
TXCABA
 Design Award Best Poolscape
1997
Pool & Spa News
 Industry's Choice Distinguished Builder
1997
NSPI
 National Design Award, Region 3 Gold Medal in Pool and Spa Design Award (C)
1997
NSPI
 National Design Award, Region 3 Gold Medal in Pool and Spa Design Award (B)
1997
NSPI
 National Design Award, Region 3 Gold Medal in Pool and Spa Design Award (A)
1997
NSPI
 National Design Award, Region 3 Bronze Medal in Pool and Spa Design Award (E)
1997
NSPI
 National Design Award, Region 3 Bronze Medal in Pool and Spa Design Award (D)
1997
NSPI
 National Design Award, Region 3 Bronze Medal in Pool and Spa Design Award (C)
1997
NSPI
 National Design Award, Region 3 Bronze Medal in Pool and Spa Design Award (B)
1997
NSPI
 National Design Award, Region 3 Bronze Medal in Pool and Spa Design Award (A)
1997
NSPI
 National Design Award, Region 3 Award of Merit in Pool and Spa Design Award
1997
NSPI
 Certification Certified Building Professional
1996-97
NSPI
 International Design Award Silver Medal in Residential Water Features
1996
TXCABA
 Design Award Best Poolscape
1996
Pool & Spa News
 Industry's Choice Distinguished Builder
1996
NSPI
 National Design Award, Region 3 Silver Medal in Technical-Engineering Achievement
1996
NSPI
 National Design Award, Region 3 Gold Medal in Residential Pools with Automatic Covers with Tracks
1996
NSPI
 National Design Award, Region 3 Silver Medal in Residential Concrete Traditional 600 sq ft or less
1996
NSPI
 National Design Award, Region 3 Award of Merit in Residential Concrete Natural Woods & Rock Settings, 601 sq ft or more
1996
NSPI
 National Design Award, Region 3 Gold Medal in Residential Concrete Geometric 601 sq ft or more
1996
NSPI
 National Design Award, Region 3 Bronze Medal in Residential Concrete Geometric 600 sq ft or less
1996
NSPI
 National Design Award, Region 3 Bronze Medal in Residential Concrete Freeform 601 sq ft or more
1996
NSPI
 National Design Award, Region 3 Award of Merit in Residential Concrete Freeform 601 sq ft or more (B)
1996
NSPI
 National Design Award, Region 3 Award of Merit in Residential Concrete Freeform 601 sq ft or more (A)
1996
NSPI
 National Design Award, Region 3 Silver Medal in Concrete Pool with a Negative Edge
1996
NSPI
 National Design Award, Region 3 Bronze Medal in Concrete Pool with a Negative Edge
1996
Carecraft
 Dedication to Excellence Richard Quint Award
1995
TXCABA
 Design Award Best Poolscape
1995
NSPI
 National Design Award, Region 3 Bronze Medal in Technical-Engineering Achievement
1995
NSPI
 National Design Award, Region 3 Award of Merit in Residential Concrete Traditional 600 sq ft or more
1995
NSPI
 National Design Award, Region 3 Award of Merit in Residential Concrete Natural Woods & Rock Settings, 600 sq ft or more
1995
NSPI
 National Design Award, Region 3 Silver Medal in Residential Concrete Natural Woods & Rock Settings, 600 sq ft or less
1995
NSPI
 National Design Award, Region 3 Bronze Medal in Residential Concrete Natural Woods & Rock Settings, 600 sq ft or less
1995
NSPI
 National Design Award, Region 3 Bronze Medal in Residential Concrete Freeform, 601 sq ft or more
1995
NSPI
 National Design Award, Region 3 Award of Merit in Residential Concrete Freeform 600 sq ft or less
1995
NSPI
 National Design Award, Region 3 Gold Medal in Concrete Pool with a Negative Edge (B)
1995
NSPI
 National Design Award, Region 3 Gold Medal in Concrete Pool with a Negative Edge (A)
1995
NSPI
 International Design Award Award of Merit in Residential Pools with Automatic Covers with Tracks
1995
NSPI
 International Design Award Bronze Medal in Residential Concrete Natural under 601 sq ft
1995
NSPI
 International Design Award Silver Medal in Residential Concrete Freeform 601 sq ft or more
1995
NSPI
 International Design Award Bronze Medal in Residential Concrete Freeform 601 sq ft or more
1994
NSPI
 National Design Award, Region 3 Silver Medal in Water Features-Residential Category 28
1994
NSPI
 National Design Award, Region 3 Gold Medal in Water Features-Residential Category 28
1994
NSPI
 National Design Award, Region 3 Gold Medal in Technical-Engineering Achievement Category 26
1994
NSPI
 National Design Award, Region 3 Silver Medal in Spas Built in Conjunction with a Swimming Pool Category 33
1994
NSPI
 National Design Award, Region 3 Bronze Medal in Spas Built in Conjunction with a Swimming Pool Category 33
1994
NSPI
 National Design Award, Region 3 Silver Medal in Semi-Public Pools 3001 sq ft and over Category 24
1994
NSPI
 National Design Award, Region 3 Gold Medal in Semi-Public Pools 3000 sq ft and under Category 23
1994
NSPI
 National Design Award, Region 3 Silver Medal in Residential Pools with Automatic Covers with Tracks Category 16
1994
NSPI
 National Design Award, Region 3 Bronze Medal in Residential Pools with Automatic Covers with Tracks Category 16
1994
NSPI
 National Design Award, Region 3 Silver Medal in Residential Concrete Traditional Category 3, 600 sq ft or less
1994
NSPI
 National Design Award, Region 3 Award of Merit in Residential Concrete Geometric Category 6, 601 sq ft or more
1994
NSPI
 National Design Award, Region 3 Gold Medal in Residential Concrete Geometric Category 5, 600 sq ft or less
1994
NSPI
 National Design Award, Region 3 Award of Merit in Residential Concrete Geometric Category 5, 600 sq ft or less
1994
NSPI
 National Design Award, Region 3 Award of Merit in Concrete Spas-Exterior Use Category 29
1993
TXCABA
 Design Award Best Poolscape
1993
NSPI
 National Design Award, Region 3 Award of Merit in Residential Concrete Geometric 601 sq ft or more
1993
NSPI
 National Design Award, Region 3 Silver Medal in Residential Concrete Freeform 601 sq ft or more
1993
NSPI
 National Design Award, Region 3 Bronze Medal in Residential Concrete Freeform 600 sq ft or less
1993
NSPI
 National Design Award Bronze Medal in Technical-Engineering Achievement
1993
NSPI
 National Design Award Silver Medal in Semi-Public 3000 sq ft & under
1993
NSPI
 National Design Award Bronze Medal in Residential Concrete Geometric 601 sq ft or more
1993
NSPI
 National Design Award Gold Medal in Residential Concrete Freeform 600 sq ft or less
1993
NSPI
 National Design Award Silver Medal in Exterior Concrete Spas
1993
Carecraft
 Design Excellence Ivester Residence
1992
NSPI
 National Design Award, Region 3 First Place in Residential Interior Pools
1992
NSPI
 National Design Award, Region 3 Merit Award in Residential Concrete Natural 601 sq ft or more
1992
NSPI
 National Design Award, Region 3 First Place in Residential Concrete Natural 600 sq ft or less
1992
NSPI
 National Design Award, Region 3 First Place in Residential Concrete Geometric 600 sq ft or less
1992
NSPI
 National Design Award, Region 3 Award of Merit in Residential Concrete Freeform 600 sq ft or less
1992
NSPI
 National Design Award Silver Medal in Residential Interior Pools
1992
NSPI
 National Design Award Silver Medal in Residential Concrete Geometric 600 sq ft or less
1992
Carecraft
 Design Excellence Smith Residence
1991-92
NSPI
 National Design Award Bronze Medal in Water Features-Commercial
1991-92
NSPI
 National Design Award Award of Merit in Technical-Engineering Achievement
1991-92
NSPI
 National Design Award Award of Merit in Residential Concrete Freeform over 601 sq ft or more
1991
NSPI
 National Design Award, Region 3 First Place in Residential Concrete Natural 600 sq ft or less
1991
NSPI
 National Design Award, Region 3 First Place in Residential Concrete Freeform 601 sq ft or more
1991
NSPI
 National Design Award, Region 3 Award of Merit in Residential Concrete Freeform 601 sq ft or more
1991
NSPI
 National Design Award, Region 3 Second Place in Portable Spas-Exterior Use
1991
NSPI
 National Design Award, Region 3 Second Place in Commercial Water Feature
1991
NSPI
 National Design Award Gold Medal in Residential Pools with Automatic Covers with Tracks
1990
Pool & Spa News
 Featured Article: ""A Builder's Pride""
1990
NSPI
 National Design Award, Region 3 Award of Merit in Technical-Engineering Achievement
1990
NSPI
 National Design Award, Region 3 Second Place in Spas Built in Conjunction with a Swimming Pool
1990
NSPI
 National Design Award, Region 3 Award of Merit in Residential Concrete Traditional
1990
NSPI
 National Design Award, Region 3 First Place in Portable Spas-Exterior Use
1990
NSPI
 National Design Award, Region 3 First Place in Concrete Spas-Exterior Use
1990
NSPI
 National Design Award, Region 3 Award of Merit in Commercial Water Feature
1990
NSPI
 National Design Award Award of Merit in Semi-Public Pools 1000 sq ft or less
1990
NSPI
 National Design Award Silver Medal in Residential Concrete Traditional 601 sq ft or more
1990
NSPI
 National Design Award Award of Merit in Residential Concrete Traditional 601 sq ft or more
1990
NSPI
 National Design Award Award of Merit in Concrete Spas-Exterior
1989-1990
NSPI
 Service Award Greater Austin Chapter Service Appreciation Award
1989
NSPI
 National Design Award, Region 3 Gold Award in Water Features-Commercial
1989
NSPI
 National Design Award, Region 3 Gold Award in Technical-Engineering Achievement
1989
NSPI
 National Design Award, Region 3 Bronze Medal in Spas Built in Conjunction with a Swimming Pool
1989
NSPI
 National Design Award, Region 3 Silver Award in Semi-Public Pools over 1001 sq ft
1989
NSPI
 National Design Award, Region 3 Silver Medal in Residential Water Features
1989
NSPI
 National Design Award, Region 3 Silver Award in Residential Interior Pools
1989
NSPI
 National Design Award, Region 3 Gold Award in Residential Interior Pools
1989
NSPI
 National Design Award, Region 3 Silver Award in Residential Concrete Traditional under 600 sq ft
1989
NSPI
 National Design Award, Region 3 Gold Award in Residential Concrete Natural under 600 sq ft
1989
NSPI
 National Design Award, Region 3 Award of Merit in Residential Concrete Geometric 600 sq ft or less
1989
NSPI
 National Design Award, Region 3 Silver Award in Residential Concrete Freeform under 600 sq ft
1989
NSPI
 National Design Award, Region 3 Gold Award in Residential Concrete Freeform under 600 sq ft
1989
NSPI
 National Design Award, Region 3 Silver Award in Residential Concrete Freeform over 600 sq ft
1989
NSPI
 National Design Award, Region 3 Bronze Medal in Residential Concrete Freeform 600 sq ft or less
1989
NSPI
 National Design Award Silver Medal in Semi-Public Pools
1989
NSPI
 National Design Award Gold Medal in Technical-Engineering Achievement
1989
NSPI
 National Design Award Silver Medal in Residential Interior Pools
1988
NSPI
 National Design Award Details Pending
1987
NSPI
 National Design Award First Ever National Design Award