LANDSCAPE OF THE YEAR AWARDS ENTRANT QLD
This expansive Gold Coast landscape makes the most of its canal-side locale to create an aura of opulence
The epitome of resort-style living, La Scala is an expansive property claiming a canal-side location in the Surfers Paradise suburb of the Isle of Capri. With a lavish home designed for extravagant entertaining, the owners sought tropical-inspired outdoor spaces of similar luxury.
“If we can’t go to Vegas, we want Vegas to come to us! That was the brief from the owners,” says Michael Creighton, Director of NEST Landscape Design. “They wanted a dynamic outdoor space for parties, family gatherings and functions, and they needed areas just for their young, growing family.”
In Michaels’ tropical resort-themed design, all outdoor living and entertaining spaces relate to the split-level swimming pool with its swim-up bar. This level change also serves to delineate the family living spaces from the wider entertaining terraces.
“The family hub is the barbecue pavilion, which features a custom benchtop and teppanyaki grill. An extensive water feature skirts the pavilion and the family lawn with its in-ground trampoline, terminating on the canal frontage,” says Michael. A stellar example of handcrafted rockwork, this is a cohesive, linking element — one that references the property’s waterfront setting.
Careful material selection ensured a seamless visual flow throughout. To begin with, the NEST construction team installed Millboard decking in various grain finishes. This low-maintenance decking is cool underfoot and offers a streamlined look due to the hidden fixings.
“Scala Latte travertine crazy paving was used for connecting paths and transition spaces,” adds Michael. “Limestone paving in a rectilinear format was used in the pavilions and for the main axis. This was then referenced in the Oslo limestone walling.”
The same richly textured stone was used in the elegantly designed space set aside for hot and cold plunge pools, along with an accompanying outdoor shower.
Phoenix canariensis (Canary Island date palms) assume a prominent role in the plantscape, acting as focal points and enhancing the resort ambience. “These were either moved on-site or reintroduced and became key nodes throughout the property. An existing mature Delonix regina (royal poinciana) was retained to provide privacy and scale to the frontage,” says Michael.
Michael’s planting palette also offers accents of Calathea lutea (Cuban cigar) in the shaded areas, screen plantings of Waterhousea floribunda (weeping lilly pilly), and groundcovers of Viola hederacea (native violet), Trachelospermum asiaticum (Asiatic jasmine), Myoporum parvifolium
(creeping boobilia), and the vibrant green Dichondra repens (kidney weed).
Extensive outdoor lighting installed in all garden beds and water features, as well as the pool waterfalls and troughs, paints a night-time picture of sheer opulence.
The construction challenges the team faced were significant, including extreme level changes and tight street access which required that all mature trees be craned onto the site from a barge. All challenges were proficiently resolved, however, with La Scala winning the Residential Design & Construct Over $175,000 category, and receiving a Highly Commended in the Residential $450,001 And Above category, in the Landscape Queensland Construction Excellence Awards in 2024.
Contact Details
Landscape Design & Construction: Nest Landscape Design
Phone (07) 5560 8702
