“I don’t divide architecture, landscape and gardening. To me they are one.” Luis Barragan

With summer on its way, pool design is front of mind. The captivating realm of pool design plays a pivotal role in any property. With a fusion of creativity, technology, functionality and flair, a well-designed pool can transform the ordinary into the extraordinary. An oasis of serenity and luxury, a pool is the heart of landscape design – a focal point that not only amplifies the aesthetics of a home, it elevates easy entertaining, private relaxation, and togetherness with family and friends. 

1

A resort-style lifestyle on Melbourne’s Mornington Peninsula. The pool design and landscape architecture at Avalon maximises every opportunity to connect with the bayside location. Making the most of the natural surrounds, from its lush, secluded vistas to its airy living spaces unified by the use of raw and robust materials, there’s a deep sense of serenity to the everyday sanctuary of this blissful family home. Aged limestone paving and copers from KWD & Co.

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Making the move from a small home on Sydney’s Lower North Shore to a rambling farmhouse on acreage on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula was a huge lifestyle shift for the owners of this property. They leaned on us to ascertain what living on the Mornington Peninsula would be like, and used our expertise to interpret their needs and guide them on what would work well for their family. The result is a modern farmhouse aesthetic that pays homage to the original fabric and essence of the home while making it feel fresh and new.  There’s plenty of room for visitors to stay and play, and outside the pool sits within the magnificently landscaped gardens conceived by landscape architect Heath Blair of Plume Studio. Dark grey pool tiles and Katharina Egyptian limestone pool coping from KWD & Co. 

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The swimming pool is the heart of the outdoor space at Biscayne. It adds to the soul of the property, Even in a cooler climate like Melbourne where we can only really use a pool for a few months a year, this pool at Biscayne enhances the architectural profile of the property as well as being a source of leisure and pleasure. Designing a resort-style compound was central to Kate Walker’s vision, to create moments where the family could all connect together. Landscaping and pool design by Heath Blair, Plume Studio. Pool installation by Laguna Pools.  Custom umbrellas, Lynch’s Window Fashions. Miami marble and granite pavers from KWD & Co.  

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The garden at Elcho is a perfect extension of the home. Every single room has a view over the front or rear landscaping, filling the home with natural light. The exterior marries completely with the interior, and the integrated pool and entertaining zones have immediate access to the home for seamless entertaining and family fun. Java ceramic pool tiles from KWD & Co.

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There are  many delightful opportunities and thought-provoking challenges that we face when we undertake a project, and quite often we benefit from existing design elements that have been thoughtfully and skilfully installed. With this project we inherited a beautifully executed swimming pool,  and our design intent focused on creating a seamless integration between the traditional exterior and the new contemporary Danish-inspired interior. We maintained the beautiful architectural integrity of the home and incorporated as much existing materiality as possible, including the original stone floors. 

  THE LAST WORD…

“At KWD we are renowned for listening to our clients, for interpreting their needs and for elevating the design experience. Our pure intent with every design project we undertake is to understand our client’s needs, the lifestyle they want to lead and the desires of each and every member of the household. We design intuitively, combining our innate and instinctive skills with our years of education, research and experience, so we can design a space that is harmonious and a joy to live in. The landscape architecture and the pool design is integral to the ultimate outcome for our clients. Working with experts who intrinsically understand the principles of intelligent design is a  vital design solution. Our landscape  architect of  choice  is Heath Blair of  Plume Studio, who explains ‘Good landscaping creates a connectivity between indoor and outdoor and activates the whole site. Every part of a landscaped space creates a context that speaks to the occupants of the property, be it a family or an individual, and it also provides an immediate visual identity than anchors the home.“

Kate Walker Images: Armelle Habib & Brent Lukey