This Central Coast holiday home pool and outdoor living design showcases a rich combination of effortless chic, sophistication & coastal cool. Designed with the grand entertainer in mind, the innovation & state-of-the-art inclusions exceed all our great expectations.
Q & A with Luxury Pools + Outdoor Living Design Director Design Director, Jason Diamond.
+ BRIEF
Q: What was the inspiration for your client?
Hailing from Sydney, our client was seeking solace & leisure at their substantial holiday abode. Spanning a generous expanse of land measuring up to 2000sqm, the property extends from the pinnacle of Tramway Rd to the neighbouring street below.
Our client invited us to enhance and savour life's pleasures, entrusting Luxury Pools & Outdoor Living with this transformative endeavour of their outdoor space. It was a simple directive: to infuse their haven with inspiration, leaving the creative reins firmly in our capable hands.
Q: Why did your clients want a pool? Who was going to use it?
They wanted to create a space for their family & their older children to come together. It was a place to be enjoyed & a space to entertain.
Q: What motivated the client to decide on Luxury Pools & Outdoor Living to design and build their outdoor space?
It all started with a simple recommendation from a satisfied client, leading them straight to our doors at Luxury Pools and Outdoor Living in Terrigal, NSW. Prior to our first meeting, they looked through our social media channels—YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook—getting a feel for what we're all about.
Our head office is not merely a space; it is a testament to our commitment to excellence. Every corner speaks volumes of the quality & ingenuity we bring to each project. This includes the overall property design, what we call - the ‘masterplan’. This includes the pool & outdoor living, cabanas, underground bedroom apartments, gymnasium, wellness room & landscaping.
Q: What was your client's end goal for the use of space? Eg: wellness space, entertaining, guests’ quarters etc
Overall the place was to be enjoyed for both relaxation & entertainment. This included an entertainment cabana & ‘state of the art’ elements added wherever possible. This was non-negotiable.
Q: If you could describe in one sentence the feeling that the outdoor space should evoke based on the initial client meeting, what would it be?
Immersive.
+ DESIGN
Q: What were the design challenges?
This property posed significant challenges due to its steep terrain, a common feature among many properties on the Central Coast of NSW. The topography presented obstacles such as difficult yard spaces, limited accessibility from top to bottom & complexities in construction due to the steep gradient.
Adding to the complexity was the presence of an old house undergoing renovation, where uncertainties about the foundations required careful consideration to avoid compromising existing structures.
Undertaking design & construction in such an environment demands a seasoned team capable of navigating various technical and safety challenges. From engineering & site safety protocols to materials handling and specialised building techniques, every aspect must be meticulously planned & executed.
At Luxury Pools & Outdoor Living, we specialise in projects of this nature, boasting a team of licensed, knowledgeable & experienced professionals equipped to tackle the most demanding builds. Our internal architecture team, led by our director (with his engineering background) collaborates closely with seasoned project managers to ensure seamless execution.
On the ground, our build team is comprised of skilled individuals trained by our company to handle the intricacies of such projects. With our expertise and dedication, we transform daunting challenges into opportunities with exceptional craftsmanship & innovation.
Q: Was the site suitable for pool construction? If not, how do you face this challenge?
Our design aimed to transform an unusable, sloped area into a flat, functional space, unlocking additional benefits beyond just the pool. While challenging, this transformation significantly enhances the property's value & resale potential. This is an area we have gained insight in over the years & we understand how to increase usable land space with a pool and outdoor living.
Q: What new or innovative elements did you include in this design, if any?
This pool boasts a plethora of cutting-edge features, blending innovation with modern convenience seamlessly. From the remco swimroll cover and fully automated in-floor cleaning system to the two Astral Viron Connect automation system that enables remote control via smartphone or display, no detail has been overlooked. Additionally, it features an auto water switch water refill mechanism & a specialised custom water level spa, all complemented by a fully tiled finish.
While the pool's design may appear simple at first glance, it's the inclusion of top-tier features that truly elevate the end result. An exquisite touch is added with the incorporation of a high-end all-around wet edge, complete with a hidden drain, exemplifying our commitment to quality & sophistication.
Though the discussion briefly touched upon incorporating remco swimjets favoured by professional swimmers, the client's preference for entertainment over fitness led to it not being executed, demonstrating our dedication to tailoring every aspect of the project to the client's desires.
+ BUILD
Q: Did you have any compliance issues with the council to overcome on this project?
If so, what were they?
When the client enlisted Luxury Pools & Outdoor Living to reimagine their property's landscaping & pool design, they had already secured a basic development application approval. Our initial step was to convene with our team, including our seasoned town planner who brings years of experience from within the council's DA department.
Together, we embarked on a collaborative brainstorming session to identify key elements for inclusion while navigating any restrictions or obstacles. Having a cohesive team of experts versed in compliance, design & construction proved instrumental in our Luxury Pools & Outdoor Living design-to-build process.
In assuming responsibility for the entire property's needs, we liaised directly with certifiers & engineers to ensure that our new design elements aligned seamlessly with the previous approval. By maintaining a similar footprint & adhering to landscaping height codes suitable for CDC compliance, we expedited the authorisation process without compromising construction timelines.
Strategic decisions, such as keeping retaining walls under 900mm & spacing them more than 1m apart, proved invaluable. Additionally, we meticulously designed our layouts to avoid encroaching on property boundaries, respecting our neighbours' privacy.
One particularly ingenious solution involved extending a walkway to serve as a dual-purpose garden area that also functioned as a roof for the equipment room. This innovation not only provided additional space but also fulfilled roofing requirements without infringing on neighbouring privacy.
+ END RESULT
Q: What are you most proud of this design experience?
Every facet of this design bears the imprint of our team's passion, meticulous thought, boundless energy & deep love for what we do. The gracefully curved stairwell facilitates seamless movement from the rear to the front of the house, the unassuming cabana walls concealing intricate high-end features such as custom cabinetry & the floor-to-ceiling seamless glass are all examples of our labour of love.
From the one-of-a-kind day bed & pool seating area to the breathtaking garden boxes & breeze block fashion walls, every detail is a testament to our dedication to excellence.
Structurally, I take immense pride in the hidden features like the ‘balance tank’ ingeniously tucked underground beneath the cabana, doubling as additional storage for the client's beach gear. The equipment room, discreetly offset below and away, finds its elegance in the vertical batten façade, ensuring optimal airflow for the heaters while delivering an aesthetically pleasing finish.
We meticulously reimagined the property’s walkways, stairs, and lighting structure, collaborating with [lighting company provider's name], incorporating a special Matala Limestone Paver from Artisan Exterior tiles. Their honed stone finish beautifully complements the beach-inspired Hampton look of the house renovation.
The addition of diamond cut sandstone from Gosford Quarries adds a softening touch that harmonises seamlessly with our vertical batten fence. Though challenging to install & painstakingly slow to work with due to their delicate nature, their presence adds an undeniable touch of sophistication to the landscape.
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