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Natural Waterfall & Swimming Pool
Natural Waterfall & Swimming Pool
Exterior Worlds Landscaping & DesignExterior Worlds Landscaping & Design
A Memorial area family commissioned us to create a natural swimming pool in their back yard. The family already had a standard pool on premises, but it was isolated in an area of the yard not particularly suited to seating guests or hosting get-togethers. What they wanted was a second, natural swimming pool built that would serve as the hub of a new home outdoor entertainment area consisting of a new stone patio, comfortable outdoor seating, and a fire pit. They wanted to create something unique that would preserve as much of the natural features of the landscape as possible, but that would also be completely safe and fully functional as a swimming pool. We decided to design this new landscaping plan around a pre-existent waterfall that was already on the property. This feature was too attractive to ignore, and provided the ideal anchor point for a new gathering area. The fountain had been designed to mimic a natural waterfall, with stones laid on top of one another in such a way as to look like a mountain cliff where water spontaneously springs from the top and cascades down the rocks. At first glance, many would miss the opportunity that such a structure provides; assuming that a fountain designed like a cliff would have to be completely replaced to install a natural swimming pool. Our landscaping designers, however, came up with a landscape plan to transform one archetypal form into the other by simply adding to what was already there. At the base of the rocks we dug a basin. This basin was oblong in shape and varied in degrees of depth ranging from a few inches on the end to five feet in the middle. We directed the flow of the water toward one end of the basin, so that it flowed into the depression and created a swimming pool at the base of the rocks. This was easy to accomplish because the fountain lay parallel to the top of a natural ravine located toward the back of the property, so water flow was maintained by gravity. This had the secondary effect of creating a new natural aesthetic. The addition of the basin transformed the fountain’s appearance to look more like a cliff you would see in a river, where the elevation suddenly drops, and water rushes over a series of rocks into a deeper pool below. Children and guests swimming in this new structure could actually imagine themselves in a Rocky Mountain River. We then heated the swimming pool so it could be enjoyed in the winter as well as the summer, and we also lit the pool using two types of luminaries for complimentary effects. For vegetation, we used mercury vapor down lights to backlight surrounding trees and to bring out the green color of foliage in and around the top of the rocks. For the brown color of the rocks themselves, and to create a sparkling luminance rising up and out of the water, we installed incandescent, underwater up lights. The lights were GFIC protected to make the natural swimming pool shock proof and safe for human use.
Coastal and Tropical Garden Renovation
Coastal and Tropical Garden Renovation
OrterraOrterra
Lounge and Outdoor kitchen area with feature screening and a backdrop of tropical screening to neighbours
Midtown Mobile Classical Revival Restoration
Midtown Mobile Classical Revival Restoration
Pete J. Vallas, A.I.A., ArchitectPete J. Vallas, A.I.A., Architect
The slightly raised Koi pond directs guests to the front entrance door beneath the overhanging balcony above.
8:30
8:30
Casa Del PacificoCasa Del Pacifico
Marco Gutierrez We incorporate our imported line of high performance fabrics as well as utilize the best foam and fills conducive to our tropical climate.
Outdoor Living - Enclosed Patio, Porch or Deck
Outdoor Living - Enclosed Patio, Porch or Deck
Weatherwell Elite - Aluminum ShuttersWeatherwell Elite - Aluminum Shutters
Weatherwell Aluminum shutters were used to turn this deck from an open unusable space to a private and luxurious outdoor living space with lounge area, dining area, and jacuzzi. The Aluminum shutters were used to create privacy from the next door neighbors, with the front shutters really authenticating the appearance of a true outdoor room.The outlook was able to be controlled with the moveable blades.
Cole
Cole
Manias Associates Building DesignersManias Associates Building Designers
Internal North facing courtyard for Williamstown project. View of stairs and preliminary garden design to internal courtyards. Windows and doors are aluminum and floors are off white travertine marble. A similar treatment to the first floor provides for the stack effect and cross ventilation.
Asian-Influenced Suburban Sanctuary
Asian-Influenced Suburban Sanctuary
Alderwood Landscape Architecture and ConstructionAlderwood Landscape Architecture and Construction
These clients were impressed with how the final project fit each element they desired into their small backyard space. The covered outdoor structure and heaters provide this western Washington family with the opportunity to enjoy the space year-round! The Belgard porcelain pavers used throughout the space provide continuity. Finally, night lighting elements dotted amongst the Asian-influenced plantings create a welcoming, restful ambiance.

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Ireland
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