Peter Glass & Associates, Landscape Architects & Pool Designers
The owners of this unique waterfront property on Sydney’s lower north shore knew they would have only one opportunity to create a truly special swimming pool in the area between their existing home and the steep embankment that leads to the water. They were also aware of the potential obstacles that lay ahead of them, including the difficulties of obtaining council approval on such a prominent site; the close proximity of established trees and the difficulties associated with constructing a large-scale project on a site with poor access.
Deciding that their project was too important to take any chances, the homeowners contacted Peter Glass & Associates, Landscape Architects & Swimming Pool Designers. As Australia’s longest established and most specialised landscape architectural and swimming pool design firm, the homeowners were happy to entrust them to design, document and manage the entire project, including the extension of the balcony, the incorporation of a home gym and rumpus room underneath, and designing a new stair access to connect the upper-level balcony and pool areas.
The pool was cleverly positioned and designed to minimise visual instrusions from any pool fencing between the pool and residence, while complying with all of the complex pool fencing requirements. In fact, the safety barrier was actually turned into a feature by spilling water over the entire continuous, yet articulated edge. The cascade has been faced with Himalayan sandstone in a basket weave pattern and looks spectacular when uplit at night. Any leaves that fall onto the surface of the pool soon disappear over the edge of the weir and into the pebble-covered balance tank beneath, where they are easily removed. The play of water dancing over the face of the cascade, as it falls into the shallows that just cover the layer of river stones, is a delight to see as well as hear!
The water on the far side of the pool is contained by an almost invisible glass edge, providing a seamless connection between the pool and the harbour below. To further enhance the unified look, lush vines of star jasmine have been trained over the outside face of the pool wall to blend into the adjacent landscape.
All pool filtration and sanitation equipment is located in a purpose-built acoustic enclosure under the house, with extra space provided for additional storage purposes. Plant species included some rare varieties of frangipani, ginger lilies, palms, iris, cordyline, bougainvillea and other sub-tropical plants.
Photography by Helen Ward