by Bailey Shelton | photos by Adam Gibson Architectural Photography and Richardson Studio
You might not know about Cecilia Heard or TRESSS®️ Aquatectural Designs yet, but you will. This Hoosier-founded company is changing the way outdoor spaces are built with Moving Pool Floors and Smart Plunge Pools that combine luxury engineering, year-round functionality, and space-saving innovation. What began with a bit of custom engineering in the Heard family home has evolved into a growing portfolio of clients from Indiana, Aspen, and to the East Coast.
Cecilia Heard, co-founder of TRESSS®️, is a born entrepreneur. From her first business as a teenager in Mexico, Heard has never shied away from an honest day of work. She moved to the United States over 23 years ago.
People are still very much at the heart of her company — and her personal life. Beyond the business world, Heard is deeply involved in her local community and her children’s education. She is the Vice President of the Mothers’ Association at Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School, where her daughter is currently a sophomore. She’s also the proud mother of twins, a boy and a girl who are entering seventh grade this fall. Being a hands-on mom and engaged school leader keeps her grounded and purpose-driven, even while leading a fast-growing national brand.
Indianapolis Monthly recently featured Heard in their 50 Over 50 list, and she’s also founded Dancing Queens, a local community group for Latina women focused on friendship, celebration, and support.
Heard named her company after her and her husband/co-founder Andrew’s three children. The three S’s represent each of the children’s initials, and the name itself is a reference to the Spanish word for three.
“We want to leave this legacy to our kids of good work ethic and innovation. Working hard is very important for us,” says Heard. And her business is setting an amazing example.
TRESSS®️’ signature product, a moving pool floor system, creates a seamless edge when fully raised, preserving clean architectural lines and maximizing outdoor space. It can be lowered to various depths, from a shallow play area for children to a lap-swimming mode with integrated jets offering year-round enjoyment and adaptability. The pool itself is a feat of engineering that goes beyond its transforming depth. It uses less energy, maintains water temperature more efficiently, and features customizable surfaces designed to harmonize with the surrounding patio. When closed, the surface supports up to 40 psf (pounds per square foot), allowing the area to be used as a fully functional deck ideal for lounging, dining, or entertaining.
For homeowners torn between installing a pool or preserving patio space, TRESSS®️ delivers both without compromise. With built-in safety, selectable depth, and space saving functionality, the system redefines how water is experienced in modern luxury living, extending the pool season far beyond May to September.
“I have had this passion for business since I was little,” says Heard. “It’s not easy, but when you have a great team you can get through all of these challenges.”
Heard’s work ethic, combined with the engineering mind of her husband Andrew, has helped TRESSS®️ to flourish and expand into the brand it is today.
This Fall, a TRESSS®️ pool will be a feature in the Home-A-Rama home built by aaNovo. Owner Abbey Robertson worked closely with Heard and her team to design the custom pool/patio space outside of the master bedroom. It’s one of several areas of the home that specifically call to the natural landscape, including a central courtyard and the pastoral surroundings of Chatham Hills.
“We’re dovetailing building science into our builds. Pools are amazing in respect for health, but pools are inherently flooded with chlorine,” says Robertson. “This pool and how they’ve engineered it and designed the water system, it doesn’t have chlorine in it. Which is a massive win, especially for a health-conscious person.”
The aaNovo home also features a plunge pool and personal sauna. The TRESSS®️ pool does not need to be winterized, so this combination creates the perfect at-home wellness retreat.
As growth continues for the TRESSS ® team, TRESSS ® is designing a custom Hot Tub and a Smart Plunge Pool both featuring its signature Moving Pool Floor for a modern residence being built by Sinclair Building Architecture Design. Through this collaboration, TRESSS ® is bringing its innovative and exclusive outdoor features to an Aspen home defined by bold architecture and elevated outdoor living.
“We truly appreciate the opportunity to collaborate with award-winning architect Robert Guy Sinclair in creating a home for such a beautiful family,” says Heard. “It’s an honor to be part of this project. When you’re there, you can feel God’s presence in the mountains.”
The Hot Tub – TRESSS®️’s newest product features the same sleek design that is a signature of the brand, while also being engineered to maximize energy efficiency and minimize water evaporation qualities that make it equally suited for markets like Aspen, where sustainability and high-efficiency standards are a priority.
In addition to their continued growth in Indiana, TRESSS®️ is expanding into major markets such as Chicago, New York, New Jersey, and Florida, redefining what’s possible for residential pool design through innovation, elegance, and thoughtful engineering.
“I love having a goal. There are challenges, of course, but meeting with clients is such a beautiful part of the journey; showing them what we do and seeing their excitement for innovation and what’s next,” says Heard. “It’s truly energizing. I feel I have a purpose beyond—and always rooted in—my first priorities: God, my family, my children, my husband, being a daughter, a friend. But building this professional business, and bringing something so innovative not just to Indiana, but to other parts of the country—wow, it’s just incredible.”
