ᐅ Ground-level pool instead of a bathtub?

Hello everyone,

We’re about to start building our house soon and have some meetings with architects beforehand to discuss everything...

I’m a bit particular
– meaning: There are a few things I’m really tired of seeing, such as tiles, textured wallpaper (e.g., woodchip), and standard bathtubs.

We hardly ever take baths anyway, only occasionally when someone is sick.
I even had a wooden board made to fit over the bathtub so I can use the space on top for decoration and other items.

So here’s my question for you:

Has anyone here ever installed, within a regular bathroom—that is, inside the four walls—a sort of rectangular “pit” recessed into the floor instead of a regular bathtub? Something like a small in-ground pool or built-in jacuzzi at floor level?

My idea behind this is: such a recessed alternative to a bathtub could be covered with a sturdy board attached nearby when not in use, making the space usable for other things like placing a potted plant, a chair for sitting or putting on shoes, and so on.

Has anyone done something like this and can tell me if it’s significantly more expensive than a somewhat upscale, non-standard bathtub? Because, as I said, I’m really fed up with the usual types...

Since the small pool would probably need to be about one meter (3.3 feet) deep, I guess it would extend more than 1 meter (3.3 feet) into the floor below, considering there’s the ceiling/floor structure underneath as well as walls on all sides. The “pool” would have to be properly supported or braced somehow.

It would be great if someone has more details or maybe some references for me.

Thank you very much and best regards,
Honigkuchen