Creative Environments is a design-forward construction firm focused on high-end, custom swimming pools and outdoor living spaces. Based in the East Bay and family-run for over six decades, we’ve built a reputation for managing technically complex projects with precision and a streamlined client experience.

Our story spans three generations and eight decades of pool building. It began in 1955, when Max Baumann began crafting custom pools in Lafayette and the surrounding communities. He passed down his passion and expertise to his son, Chuck, who later founded Creative Environments and now works alongside his son, Nicco, continuing the family legacy. Each generation has refined the art of pool construction, building on the lessons and craftsmanship of the one before.

We’re not a volume-based builder. Every project is led directly by Nicco and Chuck Baumann, with work completed by our trusted in-house crew. This hands-on approach ensures each pool is thoughtfully engineered, built to exacting standards, and tailored to the site and client.

We work closely with architects, engineers, and homeowners throughout the process—from initial concept and permitting to material selections and final detailing. Our expertise spans everything from steep hillside builds to tight-access lots and fully integrated outdoor environments.

If you're looking for a team that combines design expertise, technical rigor, and on-the-ground management, you're in the right place.