ABOUT THE PROJECT
- Dimensions: 925 m2
- Build time: 5 months
The brief for this project was to turn an existing swimming pool into a 140,000 litre natural swim pond with Japanese landscaping. The existing pool house was replaced with an open building for alfresco dining, an outdoor kitchen complete with a pizza oven. Between the two buildings we installed an outdoor shower with changing area. Adjacent to the outdoor kitchen is a sunken seating area with gabion benches.
The natural swim pond complete with a large regeneration zone is fed by a 7m long natural stream. At the other end of the swim pond we constructed a second stream, approximately 30m long which gently flows down into a large pre-existing pond. A Japanese style zig-zag slate bridge crosses the regeneration zone at one end. Linking the house to the garden is a dark grey granite pathway leading to a composite decking jetty. Paving and decking are continued on the other side of the pond to provide additional seating areas.
Japanese Maples provide vibrant spring, summer and autumn colour with a variety of evergreen planting providing all year round structure to the garden, including a large specimen Chamaecyparis ‘cloud’ tree. A variety of aquatic plants were used in the regeneration zone which help to naturally filter and clean the water.
Additional work in this garden includes a long timber Pergola planted with Wisteria leading to a traditional Japanese Entrance gate with side wings to screen the garden from the boundary.
Behind the main garden, we designed and constructed a fully insulated gym, complete with a sauna and floor-to-ceiling mirrors.
