Of contemporary design, this unique outdoor retreat by Ecodesign provides year-round enjoyment.
Designed to closely integrate with the luxury home, this garden is an entertainer’s paradise. From the shimmering plunge pool to the curvaceous built-in sun lounge, this is a garden that was made to be enjoyed.
Says Adrian Swain, ecodesign’s head designer: “We were asked to create a landscape in which the outdoor entertaining area and swimming pool linked seamlessly with the home. This required us to co-ordinate our work with the project architect, interior designer, home builder and, of course, the pool builder.
“Of paramount importance was the inclusion of a plunge pool, an area of grass for the children, a large outdoor entertaining area and garden views from all windows of the home — and this all had to be addressed in a manner which complemented the look and feel of the home.”
The style of the garden is contemporary, which is clearly evident in the plunge pool. “From the moment you walk through the home’s impressive front door you can see through to the rear garden and the pool, which appears to be a solid block of floating water,” says Adrian. “This effect was achieved by aligning the glass edge of the pool near to the floor to ceiling windows and raising the pool water level 600mm above the home’s internal floor level.”
A key feature of the plunge pool is the in-built lounge, clad in a mottled blend of mosaic tiles, which extends across one end providing a place where people can immerse themselves while relaxing. The line of the lounge is continued with the adjacent timber deck and its impressive in-built sun lounge.
Glass fencing panels frame the pool on two sides make it possible to enjoy views of the beautifully landscaped surrounds which boast a planting palette that includes viburnum, Japanese box, Cycads, Knobby club rush and native ginger. For height and fragrance, there are magnolias and Michelia alba.
At the side of the house there is another special treat: a courtyard with a boundary wall covered in climbing fig. Attached to the wall is a trio of custom mirrors, each in a frame painted with Porter’s liquid copper. These mirrors almost seem to float and help to make the space seem larger and more open.
The pool and garden lighting scheme is extensive and incorporates up lighting to the feature trees, under-step lights, in-deck up lights and wall-mounted lights. This makes the entire outdoor space simply irresistible come nightfall.
PROJECT DETAILS
Landscape design by ecodesign Pty Ltd Unit 61, 5 Gladstone Road, Castle Hill NSW 2154
Phone (02) 9680 7712
Mobile 0407 006 852
Email info@ecodesign.com.au
Website ecodesign.com.au
Landscape construction by The Other Side Landscapes Pty Ltd
Website www.theotherside.com.au
PHOTOGRAPHY / Peter Brennan
Originally from Outdoor Design and Living magazine, Volume 29
