Rather than flattening a sloped corner of their backyard, the owners of this Bateman abode embraced it as a design challenge, fashioning a uniquely dimensional design to incorporate a Barrier Reef Pools Ultimate Plunge Pool.
The existing backyard included a big kidney-shaped pool, which took up a majority of the yard and sat very close to the home, along with a small alfresco area that wasn’t big enough for entertaining. “The main trigger for the renovation was that our two kids were rapidly growing up and along with our entertainment lifestyle, we needed a more productive entertaining area and outdoor living space that we could all expand into,” Mr Hay said.
Newforms Landscape Architecture designed the space, which includes zoned alfresco, grassed, deck and pool areas that work just as well alone as they do in the bigger picture. The natural stone and mahogany timber for the decking was supplied by Eco Outdoor as Barrier Reef Pools mastered the elevated pool works.
“We really wanted the pool area to still form part of the entertaining area and as we had a naturally sloping block it lent itself to utilising the retaining walls to meet the pool fence requirements allowing people in the pool to still feel a part of the entertaining space,” Mr Hay said.
Barrier Reef Pools director Brad Hilbert said the pool had to be installed over five stages to work in with the construction of the retaining wall, which is less than 300mm from the inside of the water line.
The company’s 5.5m x 3.5m Ultimate Plunge pool was the perfect choice for the area. “This plunge pool design has a generous swimming area and spa bench to sit and relax on,” Mr Hilbert said.
Finished in a UV resistant Royal Blue Shimmer, the pool interior glows at night enhanced by garden and outdoor lighting.
Mr Hilbert said the tight space in the pool zone meant there was no other choice than a concealed in-ground pool blanket box, which hides the equipment out of sight for a seamless flow onto the adjoining deck.
“It’s not common for clients to have their whole pool area raised above their alfresco area and house,” he said. “It gives a very different dimension to the whole area that is unique yet glamorous.”
“We can entertain large numbers, small intimate numbers or can sit out and eat a meal on a balmy summer night just the four of us,” Mr Hay said. “We find the kids use the pool much more as it is smaller and easier for them to manage the pool cover; I like the maintenance aspects as I’m not cleaning it weekly and essentially it runs itself. It’s our dream backyard and entertaining space.”
