frequently asked questions

Splinterworks is a British design company founded in 2009 by Miles Hartwell and Matt Withington. We specialize in creating ambitious, hand-crafted functional sculptures—including our iconic carbon-fiber hammock baths, custom pool slides, and bespoke statement furniture—that elevate everyday living experiences through art, engineering, and play.

Splinterworks is headquartered near Bath in Somerset, United Kingdom. From our British studio, our design and logistics teams oversee worldwide installations of our luxury baths, pool slides, and furniture., We working directly with global private clients, architects, and interior designers to manage custom residential and commercial commissions globally. We also have a client liaison team in Connecticut, USA.

You can explore our completed projects and client case studies directly in the Case Studies section of our website, and media coverage within our News section. Our work is frequently showcased in major global media, architectural publications, and TV shows, highlighting our technical precision and real-world client installations. Also see our 5-star* Google reviews.

Our statement pieces are designed for homeowners, luxury property developers, interior designers, and architects seeking custom artistic installations. We cater to clients worldwide who want to combine functional utility with theatrical, high-end art that elevates private residences, luxury resorts, and high-concept living spaces.

Splinterworks provides custom design pieces globally, shipping and overseeing installation for projects worldwide. We frequently deliver custom pool slides, hammock baths, and bespoke sculptures to clients across North America, Europe, the Middle East (including the UAE), Asia, and Australasia. You can view some of our case studies of our installations across these regions.

All Splinterworks pool slides use a patented four-part cooling system: micro jets spray the sliding surface and steps every 15 cm, two top mega-jets ensure continuous lubrication, and pool filtered water circulates internally through all handrails. Additionally, the slides have mirror-polished stainless steel, which reflects solar energy, cooling the slide to usable temperatures within 15 seconds. See our Cooling section for detailed information.

While we always pace the process to suit your master timeline, a realistic fast-track path from concept to completion typically runs five to six months for a portfolio slide, assuming prompt client approvals. Some more complex projects can take longer; our client liaison team will be able to advise a more accurate timeline upon enquiry.

Yes, most of our custom pool slides can be retrofitted into existing swimming pools. While certain sculptural models require specific structural foundations, these foundation footings can usually be excavated and poured alongside your existing pool deck during installation without altering the pool basin. We also offer surface-mounted slides, that can be installed into the deck itself.

Custom pool slides start at £48,950 / $67,950, including delivery, duty, and local taxes. Models like the Waha and Cyma use single-skin stainless steel construction, whereas higher-tier double-skinned models, such as Vertex and Orchid, feature internal structural armatures for complex, fully sculptural forms.

Yes, clients can commission fully bespoke pool slide designs or request custom variations of existing portfolio models. Previous bespoke projects include double-helix racing slides, multi-level structures, and custom slides integrated into natural land gradients.

A hammock bath is suspended using stainless steel brackets anchored into opposing load-bearing walls, engineered to hold the full weight of the tub, water, and bather. For spaces without structural walls, Splinterworks also offers floor-mounted pillar brackets or freestanding models like the Pagoda and King Pagoda bath.

Yes, a hammock bath can be installed in existing bathrooms provided the opposing walls can support the bracket load or floor pillars are used. Designed primarily for wet room layouts, waste water drains directly into a simple floor drain positioned beneath the suspended tub.

No, hammock baths use standard, straightforward plumbing logic. The bath tub fills via a floor-standing or wall-mounted filler tap. To empty, a simple push-button waste valve in the base releases water directly into a wet room floor drain positioned on the floor beneath the bathtub, or with a gradient slot-drain.

Yes, Splinterworks customizes hammock baths to fit specific room dimensions spanning between 2.6m and 3.0m. Beyond natural black carbon fiber, clients can select custom finishes including painted finishes and metallic lustres, and 24-karat gold leaf. You can view some of our hammock case studies if you would like to see a few examples.

Despite its generous length, the ergonomic shape concentrates depth in the center, using roughly 200 liters of water—half the volume of typical luxury deep-soaking tubs.

Yes, alongside our residential projects Splinterworks creates bespoke functional sculptures tailored specifically for luxury hotels, boutique resorts, and wellness spas. From multi-story custom pool slides to signature suspended hammock baths, each piece is engineered as a centrepiece installation that enhances guest engagement and architectural distinction.

Hotels and spas choose Splinterworks for our fusion of theatrical design, fine art craftsmanship, and rigorous engineering. Our luxury hammock bathtub installations serve as iconic visual focal points that generate high social media engagement.

Splinterworks hammock baths and custom installations feature in luxury hotels, private penthouses, and high-end boutique retreats worldwide, where our floating bathtubs create unforgettable, photogenic guest experiences. See our featured hotels here.

Yes, Splinterworks products can be customized in scale, material, and finish. Hotels can specify bespoke lengths, custom color lacquers, carbon fibre or mirror-polished stainless-steel finish, liquid metal lustres, or even 24-karat gold leaf to align perfectly with their brand aesthetic.

Yes, Splinterworks collaborates directly with commercial architects, interior designers, and hotel developers from concept through completion. We provide CAD files, structural load calculations, and technical plumbing specifications to integrate seamlessly into new builds or major commercial property renovations.

Yes, Splinterworks creates completely bespoke, ground-up commissions in addition to tailoring portfolio pieces. From one-off architectural pool slides to custom sculptural bathtubs and statement furniture, we design custom pieces engineered specifically to fit your site’s unique landscape, building layout, or artistic vision.

We undertake bespoke commissions across pool slides, suspended baths, statement furniture, and architectural installations. Past bespoke projects include the Star Rider double-helix racing slides, the Cadence polished concrete slide in Hawaii, the terrain-traversing Cascade slide, and custom textured wall-mounted bar cabinets like the Dime.

The process moves from initial consultation and site review to 3D CAD and modelling, material selection, and structural engineering. Once concept models and costings are approved, our artisans hand-craft the piece, followed by pre-assembly checks, global logistics coordination, and direct installation oversight with your project team.

Yes, we work directly with architects, interior designers, architects and structural engineers. We provide technical CAD models, weight load calculations, plumbing schematics, and site requirements early in the design phase to ensure our functional sculptures integrate seamlessly into complex architectural builds.

While we always pace the process to suit your master timeline, a realistic fast-track path from concept to completion typically runs five to six months for a portfolio slide, assuming prompt client approvals. Some unique and more complex projects can take longer; our client liaison team will be able to advise a more accurate timeline upon enquiry.

Yes, Splinterworks undertakes bespoke commissions worldwide from our British studio. We regularly deliver and install custom design  pieces across North America, Canada, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Australasia, handling all export logistics, customs duty, and site coordination with local international contractors.

Splinterworks integrates a proprietary water-cooling design that continuously floods key surfaces using a combination of fresh and recycled pool water. Micro-jets spray water every 15 cm across the sliding bed and steps, two top mega-jets maintain surface lubrication, and pool-filtered water circulates internally through the handrails to keep all touchpoints cool during sun exposure. The pool slides also have a highly reflective, mirror-polished stainless steel finish which reflects solar energy, rather than absorbing it.

A Splinterworks pool slide cools down to a completely safe, comfortable temperature in just 15 seconds once the water-cooling system is activated. The combination of internal handrail circulation, mega jets and micro-jets rapidly flush heat away, ensuring immediate, safe usability even on scorching hot summer days.

Yes, Splinterworks pool slides are specifically engineered for extreme high-heat environments worldwide, including installations in Las Vegas and the UAE. Their combination of 316L marine-grade mirror-polished steel and a built-in water-cooling system prevents heat absorption and keeps all surfaces completely safe for touch.

Splinterworks ensures thermal protection through material selection and internal engineering. Highly reflective mirror-polished stainless steel reflects solar energy rather than absorbing it. Meanwhile, an internal and external water circuit channels pool water continuously through the step handles, main handrails, and out onto the surface ofthe chute through micro-jets and mega jets to eliminate surface hot spots.  The steps are independently controlled with fresh water to cool each step, to ensure every part of the slide you touch is cooled.

Splinterworks uses 316L marine-grade stainless steel because it offers superior corrosion resistance against pool chemicals and saltwater environments. Its mirror-polished finish does not oxidize or dull over time, allowing it to reflect solar heat continuously for decades while maintaining structural and aesthetic integrity.