The new pool house faces the paved area and new subtropical planting beyond. Dark basalt edge coping contrasts with the marbled texture of the travertine tiles
The new pool house faces the paved area and new subtropical planting beyond. Dark basalt edge coping contrasts with the marbled texture of the travertine tiles

The owners of this period house in Mission Bay wanted pool, pool house and general garden improvements. In particular, they wanted to reflect Auckland's subtropical climate and lifestyle. Because of the small space available, great care was needed in the design and location of the pool and pool house and the surrounding landscape. The design approach was contemporary but with high quality natural materials such as stone tiles and sustainable timber. The planting comprised a subtle but rich mix of subtropical plants with an emphasis on foliage and gentle flower colour.

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The site before the project
View across new pool and new deck steps
The new pool house faces the paved area and new subtropical planting beyond. Dark basalt edge coping contrasts with the marbled texture of the travertine tiles
A stone tiled path leads through richly planted flowering borders to the rear garden pool courtyard
Foliage textures are striking in spring.

Professionals used in
Pool Courtyard

About the
Professional

Nick Robinson  ProAccGDSNZ, NZILA(Reg)

Nick is a landscape and garden designer with over twenty years experience of designing, creating and managing private and public gardens in New Zealand, UK and USA . He is also a design teacher and lecturer and is the author of the Planting Design Handbook (published by Routledge, third edition 2016) along with many articles on design and planting.

A special interest is beautiful and bio-diverse design for ecology and wildlife in the garden as well as in the wider environment. Nick's gardens are created as 'pollinator paradises' providing foraging and shelter for the many beneficial insects that visit gardens.

Nick has a HND in Landscape and Horticulture Technology from Askham Bryan, York, UK, a Masters in Landscape Design from University of Sheffield UK, and is chartered member of the Landscape Institute, a registered member of the New Zealand Institute of Landscape Architects, and an Profesionally Accredited Member of the Garden Design Society of New Zealand.