Landscape Design
Yard of the Week: An Australian Oasis for Indoor-Outdoor Living
A landscape architect maximized his own backyard by adding a fireside lounge, a raised swimming pool and lush plantings
When it came to designing his own backyard in Hawthorn, South Australia, landscape architect Ben Scott pulled out all the stops to create a space that not only serves multiple functions but is a joy to spend time in year-round. In a Q&A format, Scott describes how he did it.
What were the goals of the project?
We wanted a swimming pool for our family to use, including a pool deck for lounging; an alfresco space for relaxing and entertaining; screening planting along the boundaries; and a seamless feel with the house. The space also needed to be visually exciting from the interior.
How did the budget break down?
Around 60% of it went on the pool and 40% on the landscaping.
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We wanted a swimming pool for our family to use, including a pool deck for lounging; an alfresco space for relaxing and entertaining; screening planting along the boundaries; and a seamless feel with the house. The space also needed to be visually exciting from the interior.
How did the budget break down?
Around 60% of it went on the pool and 40% on the landscaping.
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Can you describe your vision for the new design?
As a large section of the rear extension opens right up to the [yard], the design of the pool was critical to ensure we didn’t have a traditional pool fence in front of the house, which would have felt closed-in and disjointed.
I designed a raised swimming pool with an infinity edge, whereby the pool wall conforms to pool-fence standard. Similarly, the steel planter box and limestone-clad planter box also conform as a pool fence, so the design of the pool alleviates the need for a traditional pool fence.
As a result, the pool is essentially a giant water feature for the house, providing a tranquil outlook.
Note: Pool barrier requirements vary by locale. Check with your local jurisdiction for fence requirements and other safety provisions.
How to Get Started on a Landscape Redesign
As a large section of the rear extension opens right up to the [yard], the design of the pool was critical to ensure we didn’t have a traditional pool fence in front of the house, which would have felt closed-in and disjointed.
I designed a raised swimming pool with an infinity edge, whereby the pool wall conforms to pool-fence standard. Similarly, the steel planter box and limestone-clad planter box also conform as a pool fence, so the design of the pool alleviates the need for a traditional pool fence.
As a result, the pool is essentially a giant water feature for the house, providing a tranquil outlook.
Note: Pool barrier requirements vary by locale. Check with your local jurisdiction for fence requirements and other safety provisions.
How to Get Started on a Landscape Redesign
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I decided on a lovely dark green tile for the pool, which results in a pool color that changes with the light. When the sun is out, the pool has a lovely natural turquoise color; whereas when it is overcast, the water is like a reflection pool. The raised pool also means people can swim up to the edge of the pool and interact with people beside them in either the alfresco area or inside the house. The pool deck allows another space to sit, and gets the western sun.
The alfresco space has a strong connection to the architecture with an in situ concrete fireplace designed by the architect with a pergola beam that wraps around it. Beside it is a built-in concrete bench with a barbecue and firewood stack below.
[An outdoor sofa] is located in this space for relaxed living. The Virginia creeper [Parthenocissus quinquefolia] climber will eventually grow above this space on tensioned wires.
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The alfresco space has a strong connection to the architecture with an in situ concrete fireplace designed by the architect with a pergola beam that wraps around it. Beside it is a built-in concrete bench with a barbecue and firewood stack below.
[An outdoor sofa] is located in this space for relaxed living. The Virginia creeper [Parthenocissus quinquefolia] climber will eventually grow above this space on tensioned wires.
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What are the pavers made of?
The stepping stone pavers are a natural stone, Alba from Better Exteriors. The paving to the alfresco area, the pool coping and planter box cladding are Wyndam limestone from Eco Outdoor.
Why did you decide to add ground cover around the pavers?
To get as much greenery into the space as possible. I used Korean velvet grass [Zoysia sp.] here, which has a wonderful sculptural form and doesn’t need mowing — it’s a no-mow grass.
The stepping stone pavers are a natural stone, Alba from Better Exteriors. The paving to the alfresco area, the pool coping and planter box cladding are Wyndam limestone from Eco Outdoor.
Why did you decide to add ground cover around the pavers?
To get as much greenery into the space as possible. I used Korean velvet grass [Zoysia sp.] here, which has a wonderful sculptural form and doesn’t need mowing — it’s a no-mow grass.
How did you design features to perform multiple uses?
The raised planter box beside the pool conforms as a pool fence. It also conceals the pool gate that is tucked behind for access up to the pool deck.
A spillover planting will eventually cascade down the planter wall to soften it. The planter box is at a height on the pool deck side so it can double as extra seating.
The raised planter box beside the pool conforms as a pool fence. It also conceals the pool gate that is tucked behind for access up to the pool deck.
A spillover planting will eventually cascade down the planter wall to soften it. The planter box is at a height on the pool deck side so it can double as extra seating.
Key Plants
- Weeping lilly pilly (Waterhousea floribunda syn. Syzygium floribundum) is the main boundary hedge along the pool to provide lush evergreen screening.
- Backyard bliss (Syzygium sp.) grows as the hedge along the back of the pool deck, providing lush evergreen screening in a very narrow garden bed.
- Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia) behind the outdoor fireplace will eventually grow up and over the alfresco area, providing further greenery and summer shade. Being deciduous, it will also provide autumn color and allow in winter light.
- She-oak (Casuarina sp.) grows in the built-in planter box to cascade over the sides.
- Korean velvet grass (Zoysia sp.) grows as ground cover between the pavers.
- Mat rush (Lomandra sp.) around the pool softens the view into the moat and adds greenery.
- ‘Silver Falls’ dichondra (Dichondra argentea ‘Silver Falls’) grows in the poolside steel planter box, which conforms as a pool fence.
- Architectural plantings along the pathway include golden barrel cactus (Echinocactus grusonii), kalanchoe and foxtail fern (Asparagus densiflorus ‘Myers’).
- Mandevilla climber grows on the mesh panel to soften it.
The completed landscape plan
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Who lives here: Landscape architect Ben Scott, his wife and their two daughters (ages 8 and 10); Scott designed the landscape
Location: Hawthorn, South Australia
Size: 1,238 square feet (115 square meters)
Budget: About US $143,029 for the yard and pool
Tell us about the space.
[This is a backyard] off a contemporary extension of a 1870s Victorian brick home that includes an alfresco space, pool and deck. The new contemporary wing was designed by Matt Gibson Architecture + Design and was added to orientate the house to the north.
[It was] a blank canvas. Everything here is new.