The
owners of this exceptional waterfront property on Sydney’s lower north shore wanted
to renovate their existing ‘tired’ pool and landscape areas to create a truly spectacular
swimming pool and outdoor entertaining area, including a self-contained Pool
Cabana, that would maximise the usable space on this challenging sloping site,
whilst remaining sensitive to its many natural features and fully capitalising
on its very special location.
Deciding
that their project was too important to take any chances with, the owners
contacted Peter Glass & Associates, and
engaged us to design this exciting project, in collaboration with Timothy
Moon Architects, who were working on the house renovations.
The
decision was made to work with and extensively renovate the existing pool,
rather than demolish it completely and construct a brand new pool, as the
structure was basically sound, the location and orientation of the pool had
great potential, and substantial cost savings would be able to be achieved. The
shape of the existing pool was refined, with the southern edge being
transformed into a sweeping curve to allow the pool water to spill over into
the newly added balance tank several metres below, providing a seamless
connection between the pool and the harbour beyond. An elegant, well-appointed Pool
Cabana, nestled back into the natural slope of the site, was incorporated so as
to provide the perfect place for entertaining, relaxing or just taking shelter
from the elements. The detailing of the Cabana is contemporary and minimal,
whilst still continuing the warm and luxurious feel of the main residence.
The
surrounding garden areas, which were previously rather barren and unusable,
have been rehabilitated and formalised by a combination of terraces, steps and
retaining walls, creating a beautiful landscape setting for the adjacent pool
and entertaining areas. The careful re-design of the existing levels enabled
the incorporation of generous level lawn areas, accented by garden areas incorporating
native plants such as Red and Yellow Kangaroo Paw, Grass Trees and Rock Orchids.
A weed eradication process was undertaken to remove some fairly serious
infestations, and extreme care was taken during both the design and
construction processes to ensure that the dramatic natural rock outcrops and remnant
native vegetation on the site were retained and highlighted as features.