Based in the inner-Melbourne suburb of Malvern, these homeowners, a family with young children and who enjoy entertaining family and friends, envisaged a simple pool design for their backyard but also visually pleasing. “The family wanted their home to be a central place where everyone can gather and feel comfortable,” says Laurie Jacobson, director of Laurie Jacobson Pools, who was approached to develop the design concept and then build the pool and spa.

“The owners and I discussed their thoughts and worked out the best approach. They had an idea of what they wanted; they had seen something they liked and I worked with them to make it possible and ensure it fitted within the space constraints and style of their property.”

On their wish list was a low-maintenance pool and spa that would ensure the backyard looks highly appealing from the family room. “We were able to utilise the whole backyard for the pool, spa and surrounds as the front yard has been set up as a play area for the kids,” says Laurie. The design, a traditional rectangular 9m-long pool and spa, is simple so that it doesn’t overpower the look of the house. “It’s a minimalist design surrounded by simple paving and planting to enhance the space,” says Laurie. “It looks neat and tidy and is very low maintenance.”

Incredibly, the family wasn’t even in Australia while their build took place. “We did the whole job while the client was overseas,” says Laurie. “We managed and maintained everything while the client was away and sent videos to keep them in the loop. Throughout the process the client trusted us with the site and managing the build.”

As with every project the team completes, this Malvern masterpiece really is the epitome of style, innovation and versatility. Laurie Jacobson, director of Laurie Jacobson Pools, has more than 40 years of experience in the pool industry. With a string of accolades, his name is widely known throughout the industry and he works with an array of talented landscapers, architects and builders. The company is a member of Master Pool Builders Association Australia (formerly SPASA Vic) and builds mostly in Melbourne’s inner city and on the Mornington Peninsula, but also works on projects out of its typical areas.

Providing the customer with a hassle-free experience is key for the team. “We do a site inspection, have discussions with the client as to what their needs are, work on the budget and take time to build a relationship,” explains Laurie. “Our business is all about the relationship with the client.”

For more information, 

Laurie Jacobson Pools

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For those who have commissioned any work on their home, it’s hard to imagine a project running entirely smoothly without causing stress or interfering with work or weekends. For the owners of this cleverly designed urban oasis, the process was a dream. Boutique pool and landscape designer/builder, Urban Escape, took care of the entire project from start to finish, creating a pool and outdoor space that exude quality and meet the owners’ wishes and requirements.

The smart-looking pool was designed for a young family of four in Artarmon, NSW. The professional couple and their young children required a pool that would cater for fitness and relaxation, as well as entertainment and safety for the children. Urban Escape hit the nail on the head with this 9m x 4m pool and surrounds.

To make the most of the backyard, the pool was positioned along the back fence of the property to allow space for a lawn area suitable for a growing family. A swim-up bench provides an area where adults can relax and enjoy a glass of wine, while watching the children play. Swim jets were incorporated into the pool, further adding to the pool’s functionality by enabling lap swimming.
Understanding a need for seating without intruding too much on the pool area or lawn, the team from Urban Escape designed and built a bench seat adjacent to the pool, which is neatly tucked into the garden. Plants such as star jasmine and pleached pears have been chosen to suit the New South Wales climate and grow lush to eventually provide shade and fully cover the fence in foliage. Solar heating and rainwater tanks have been incorporated into the design and are cleverly hidden.

Urban Escape owner, Nick McCarthy, started the award-winning structural landscape company more than 19 years ago. Market demand inspired Nick to become a licensed pool builder as he noticed more and more people were looking for one company to look after both the pool construction and landscaping.
Offering a truly comprehensive solution to any outdoor area, Urban Escape builds approximately seven to 10 pools each year in Sydney. Construction is limited to what the group can personally manage, ensuring each client receives a truly boutique service.

As a member of SPASA, LNA and AILDM, Urban Escape has been recognised for its impressive design and execution of projects with many industry awards. Most recently, Urban Escape won a gold state award and gold metropolitan award for its swimming pool construction in the $50,000 – $100,000 category at the 2014 SPASA Awards for Excellence and also received a bronze award for Best Pool Renovation over $25,000.

For more information

Urban Escape

Address: 48/28 Barcoo Street, Roseville NSW 2069

Phone 02 9417 8004

Mobile 0416 180 530

Email nick@urbanescape.com.au

Website urbanescape.com.au

The post Perfect form and function: pool design appeared first on Completehome.

This backyard, designed by A Total Concept and constructed by Urban Escape, uses an effective and spacious design in order to make the most of the small area.

The pool is simple in design and manages to slide into the narrow space. It’s made a standout through the back wall water feature, which is contemporary and sleek in design. Using granite stone as the backdrop, this water feature creates a focal point for the pool area.

The surrounding outdoor design is kept leafy and green, using planting from the verandah area to the pool and the garage. The verandah area manages to incorporate outdoor room features, making the most of the space and ensuring it can be used for dining and entertaining.

This backyard is clearly a clever and efficient use of space, creating the effect of space and light.

Features:
Quartzon interior in Sky Blue,  fully automated swimming pool, infloor cleaning, pool interior multicoloured LED lighting, Sheer descent water feature highlighted with LED lighting, ARC range paving and coping, Granite water feature backdrop, frameless glass fencing, automated garden irrigation, garden lights, screening and walling.

Project details:

Swimming Pool Construction by: Urban Aqua

Landscape Construction by: Urban Escape

Landscape & Pool Design by: A Total Concept

Written by Lauren Farquhar

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A long, clear lap pool – perfect for families, with plenty of surrounding space for relaxing. We love the addition of the waterfall feature – it’s just enough to create a simple and elegant design. Timelessness is key in this design, using classic ocean-blue glass beads for the pool interior and cyan-blue glass waterline pool tiles – contrasted against the crisp white coping and tiles, it’s an effective use of these beautiful materials. The oceanic blue complements the resort-like atmosphere of the backyard, and creates a gorgeous end product.

A beautiful geometric design, located in close proximity of the home – to enjoy the waterside, the owner doesn’t even have to leave the veranda. Created to complement the backdrop of the mountains and bushland, this pool uses resort-style wet-steps straight from the verandah. It also utilises glass fencing as not to disrupt the gorgeous views. We especially love the way it frames the wide country skies above.

Designed to fit into a narrow space, this pool takes a backseat and lets the beautiful home design carry across. This beautiful and integrated pool design is also eco-friendly: all the systems running the pool and water feature are operated using the solar energy from the panels installed on the roof. The lighting also plays into this – using energy efficient LED lights, so the owners can light up the chemical-free pool without concern for the environmental impact. The use of natural stone tiling and the pebble features connects the design perfectly to the natural bush setting that surrounds it.

Written by Lauren Farquhar

The post Editor’s pick: Simple and effective pool designs appeared first on Completehome.

This company doesn’t call itself Urban Escape for nothing. This backyard swimming pool really is an urban escape for the whole family. The owners’ brief was for an easy, care-free pool, one that was big enough for the kids to swim laps but would still leave enough room for an outdoor lounge and sunny garden.

A sharp design featuring a large geometric swimming pool with a swim-out ledge was built into existing rock, with both the construction of the pool and landscaping done by Urban Escape. Framed by chic travertine pavers and dynamic blue mosaic tiles, an inviting and fresh feel is given to the overall design.

The young active family wanted to use the pool regularly to relax, host pool parties, and as a place for the kids to cool off after sports training. It was therefore situated to the right of the backyard, leaving a grassy area for the kids to run and play once out of the water.

A frameless glass fence separates the grassed lawn and pool, providing safety for the young children while ensuring a pleasant visual aesthetic.

Urban Escape believes balance and harmony with the existing surrounds is a principle of good pool design and is pleased with how this pool complements the architecture of the existing home as well as the needs of the owners. The pool has proven to be a great use of a large residential block and a fantastic and practical family swimming pool.

Urban Escape owner Nick McCarthy started the award-winning structural landscape company more than 17 years ago. Market demand inspired Nick to become a licensed pool builder as he noticed more and more people were looking for one company to look after both the pool construction and landscaping.

Offering a truly comprehensive solution to any outdoor area, Urban Escape builds approximately seven to 10 pools each year.

As a member of SPASA and LNA, Urban Escape has been recognised for its impressive design and execution of projects with many industry awards. Most recently it won a gold state award and gold metropolitan award for swimming pool construction in the $50-$100K category at the 2014 SPASA Awards for Excellence.

For more information

Urban Escape

nick@urbanescape.com.au

48/28 Barcoo Street, Roseville NSW 2069

02 9417 8004

0416 180 530

Originally from Poolside magazine, Volume 44

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