At first glance, this looks like an indoor pool with a giant Persian rug sunk under the water. The turquoise “pile,” the border, the repeating floral medallions, even the corner motifs all mimic the layout of a traditional carpet. Look closer and the trick becomes even more interesting: the “rug” is a mosaic floor made from thousands of small tiles, designed to survive water, grout, and pool chemicals.
This famous carpet-style pool is linked to the Angawi House in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, created by the Saudi architect and architectural historian Sami Angawi. It is part of a home that deliberately blends regional Hijazi building traditions with crafted details, and the pool is treated as a centrepiece rather than a hidden utility.
Calling it a “Persian carpet” design is still accurate as a cultural reference. Persian carpets were status objects across West Asia and beyond, and their geometry and stylised plant motifs translate naturally into architectural decoration, especially in tilework.
A real rug would rot, stain, and fall apart in a pool. This one keeps the idea of a best carpet under your feet, while being built to last under water.