A sleek and modern integrated pool design

Jamie required the pool to be kept at a level where it would not block the beautiful river views. It was to be located some way from the house, and needed to tie in well with its surroundings. A cabana and entertainment area were also to be incorporated into the integrated pool design. 

The site certainly provided some challenges for John. "The property extended right down to the river and a lot of it was steep and unusable," he says. The pool itself was to be built halfway over an escarpment edge. Looking at it now, you'd never know how difficult it was to get right. The pool appears to cascade effortlessly down to the river below, and the sophisticated wet edge design, which gives a sense of water flowing off into the distance, increases this effect.

The white sandstone paving provides a beautiful counterpoint to the deep blue of the water and perfectly complements a garden teeming with formal plantings, including cypresses, camellias, port wine magnolias and star jasmine. The entire area is full of colour and vibrancy. In fact, John cites the use of colour as one of the most successful things about this project. "I love the pool's colour and how it relates to the river in the background, and the contrasts created with the walls, paving and vegetation." 

John is also pleased with how the levels of the integrated pool work together. "[I like] the relationship of the various levels to each other. Because of the view lines that needed to be kept from the house and the proximity of the project to an escarpment edge, the levels between the pool, cabana, paved areas, balance tank and lawn were very intricate."

John Storch

A Total Concept Landscape Architects & Swimming Pool Designers

What was the brief?

The client wanted an integrated pool with cabana, pool and landscaping. They required us to utilise as much of their land as was feasible and it was important that the pool level be set so that the view from the house to the river was not compromised.

Were there any challenges in creating this integrated pool?

The pool was built halfway over an escarpment edge, so structurally there were a lot of engineering issues that needed to be resolved.

Are you happy with the overall result?

Yes. All the work shows nice simplistic clean lines and the project is well unified. The background views set the job off beautifully.

What's your favourite aspect of the integrated pool project? 

I have two. One would be the colours that we recommended to the client. I'm also really pleased with the relationship that we developed between the levels of the various components.

Jamie

What was the brief?

Because the pool area was to be located to take advantage of the view and a long way from the house, we wanted a totally integrated design incorporating the cabana, pool and paved entertaining areas in a contemporary style.

Were there any challenges? 

We looked after the co-ordination between the pool builder, fencer, builder and landscaper and next time we'd use John to co-ordinate the whole project instead.

How did you choose your designer?

We had seen a lot of John's work in magazines and the quality of the work stood out from the others.

Are you happy with the overall result? 

The overall look is great; it adds so much to the property and our lifestyle.

What's your favourite aspect of the project?

We are very pleased with the vanishing wet edge and how it attracts your eye to the view beyond, and the benches within the pool work well for entertaining our young family.