Outdoor entertaining room with new pool by Frontier Pools

One of the benefits of home renovation projects is that they provide an opportunity to improve outdoor connections. Of course, to achieve this, the building and landscape must be perfectly attuned.

This was the impetus for the renovation of this 1980s Cook Hitchcock & Sarginson designed property by architect Jennifer Hanson of A-Design Studio and landscape designer Fiona Kelly of Grate Art.

"The owners wanted to create a modern, functional setting to improve the relationship between indoors and outdoors, and to maximise the existing outdoor spaces," says Kelly.

The 1980s features were removed and the colour toned down to give the house a more classic appearance. In addition, an outdoor entertaining room was built between the house and pool as an extension of the indoor living space. This establishes a visual connection to the pool and helps create a sense of space and integration with the outdoors.

As the primary day-to-day living space, the pool area was a vital part of the renovation.

The existing pool was refurbished and the entry access re-built. Timber decking around the entrance to the pool was introduced as a contrasting material to the new natural stone tiles.

"With regards to the pool, it was a matter of trying to streamline the shape to limit its encroachment into the terrace space and make it more user friendly," says Kelly. "We removed the original concrete steps and created internal steps, which maximised the space."

A raised garden area at one end of the pool was converted into a spa pool.

In addition, a garden was created along the back edge of the pool, where there had originally been a walkway.

"The idea was to soften the pool with plant layering to reflect the architecture and add another element of visual interest."

Story by: Ellen Dorset