Careful planning and design and an open brief provided the opportunity to introduce exciting new spaces and low-key structures into an established garden landscape in Sydney’s leafy north with form, texture and material selection the key to providing a busy family with a robust and spacious outdoor environment to share with family, friends and pets.
The initial design focus and challenge for landscape architect Andrew Lane and design partner Claudia Anelli was achieving a successful integration of a large separate block with the existing European-style house and established garden. Dealing with the constraints presented by a number of very large and historic trees certainly added to the challenge. The solution involved linking the house and garden with a series of low-impact timber platforms, bridges and ramps and paved pathways constructed over several different levels which help lead the eye and foot to the various outdoor rooms beyond. After converting an existing pool into a rainwater tank and paving over with large-format Twill pavers easy access is provided to a new fully-tiled swimming pool framed by a striking Alpine dry stone clad privacy wall. Surrounding the pool are split-level covered decks, a badminton court, timber colonade and informal lawn and garden areas. Inspired by European provincial estates the heated swimming pool with retractable cover combined with extensive lighting, a fully-equipped kitchen, shower and toilet, a rustic water feature and quality outdoor furniture invite all-year round use and enjoyment of the garden. Quality materials used throughout ensure longevity and performance; Capri travertine, recycled Australian hardwoods, glass mosaics, bronze and copper. The weathered character and earthy tones of the materials combine with the overall simplicity of design and established tree canopy to create a garden that sits comfortably in the landscape.
