An inviting outdoor abode by Ecodesign where contemporary landscape design meets a traditional gardenscape.
Although this noteworthy outdoor room is impressive in its own right, it’s actually one of five adjoining display home residences in Kellyville. Ecodesign was commissioned by Metricon Homes to landscape design the outdoor areas. Metricon sought to make an impression on the Sydney market with its New South Wales flagship display dwellings.
Metricon Homes’ vision required a unique appreciation of its home designs, so the company brought Ecodesign on board to design the landscapes and outdoor rooms for the overall project. Metricon Homes sought to embody a new and innovative take on the outdoor room, and as shown, Ecodesign has delivered an impressive result.
A key element in the landscape design of this project was to ensure the landscape was presented as a continuous extension of the interior finishes, with the themes and colours used for the exterior scapes to reflect the architecture of the home. Another important element in the design was to create an accessible space that also provided privacy by discretely blocking the views into and out of the neighbouring properties. Views were framed with planted privacy screens, and a solid feature wall with a painted textured finish, which also acts as a backdrop to the water feature. These natural elements contain the space and provide privacy while still allowing for that ‘open air’ feel to the outdoor area.
The overall design style was centred around a contemporary look that also replicated a more traditional layout, with structural screening plants and foliage with blue/grey attributes used as feature accent plantings.
The functional elements of the space, such as the built-in barbecue/outdoor kitchen and built-in bench seating integrated into the outdoor room, makes for a versatile entertaining hub or a contemplative relaxation area for owners to enjoy. The generous bench space around the state-of-the-art barbecue makes cooking preparation a breeze when entertaining. A generous number of built-in drawers and cupboards under the cooking area put a stop to clutter, with ample room for storage space for kitchen utensils and accoutrements. Special additions to the cooking area include a stacked-stone splashback and horizontal timber batten screens behind the barbecue, a partially open pergola and a covered pergola over other areas, so the space can be enjoyed come rain or shine.
A focal point of the outdoor space is the glazed pot water feature — the pot is placed in front of a framed feature screen with structural accent plantings either side of the screen. The calming flow of the water can be heard and viewed from the main dining area, creating a sense of serenity among the contrasting rich warm hues of the 130mm-wide hardwood timber decking boards and green accents of the plantings.
Lush green foliage frames the space perfectly, pairing a more traditional garden theme with the modern outdoor room design. Plantings include Agave attenuata, Cyperus sp., Lily Pillies, Camellia sasanqua, Dracaena draco and Lomandra “Tanika”. The overall effect of the plantings perfectly integrates the benefits and beauty of nature with the standout features of modern design.
PROJECT DETAILS
Landscape design by Ecodesign Pty Ltd (Construction by Metricon Homes)
Unit 61, 5 Gladstone Ave, Castle Hill NSW 2154
Phone 02 9680 7712
Email info@ecodesign.com.au
Website ecodesign.com.au
Originally from Outdoor Rooms magazine, Volume 9
