Making the most of the space
The yard was roughly 19.8 m (65 ft) wide by 15.2 (50 ft) deep, and needed to be carefully laid out in order to maximize space, meet all applicable bylaw requirements and satisfy the clients’ design objectives. To that end, it was decided the backyard would be split into two levels, to create added visual interest and establish a degree of separation between the dining area and pool. The fireplace and conversation area were placed on the lower level to create a more intimate setting.
From a space and convenience perspective, two of the clients’ wish list items, namely the bar and post-and-beam cabana, were incorporated into a single structure. An outdoor fridge is situated underneath the bar, which also has additional room for firewood storage. A future bathroom was roughed into the cabana, which also serves as the yard’s main storage area.
To further maximize the space, the cabana/bar was positioned as far back as allowed by law. This also created a convenient place to hide the pool equipment, which is located directly behind the cabana.
The spa sits at the lower pool elevation, but is built into the upper patio for easy access during the colder months. A masonry wall was built in front of the spa to disguise it from the pool area, while a step surrounding the two sides adjacent to the upper patio disguises it from the dining area. The backside of the spa is exposed for easy maintenance and service; a cedar screen was added along the property line to create immediate privacy.
The homeowners have a great relationship with their neighbours and did not want to cut themselves off entirely from adjacent properties. As a result, galvanized aluminium fencing was selected. Not only did it meet the required bylaws, it also allowed the clients to maintain the open concept they were seeking.
Finishing touches
The pool and dining area patios were built using concrete pavers, while the stone pool coping is natural flagstone (from Ontario). The walls, bar and fireplace are a combination of natural ledgerock and flagstone (also from Ontario), all of which, along with the cabana and masonry walls, were built on poured concrete foundations.
The cabana was built using timber post-and-beam construction. The 228 x 228-mm (9 x 9-in.) posts, perlins, arch braces and gable beams are solid black walnut and the structure walls are finished in a pine board and batten.
In addition to the serviceberry clumps and rivers birch planted along the swale, a combination of evergreens, grasses and perennials were selected in accordance with the homeowner’s colour and texture preferences. Trees used include cedars, Chinese flowering dogwood and Japanese maple. Both evergreen and deciduous shrubs were added, including boxwoods, three varieties of hydrangea, dense yews and dogwood, along with feather reed, blue oat, maiden, zebra and fountain grasses. Finally, a selection of perennials—daylilies, coralbells and sedum—was added to bring added life to the space. Room was also left for annuals, which will be planted on a yearly basis.
In total, the project took roughly 10 weeks, including the pool installation, with roughly nine trades involved—pool builders, landscapers, masons, carpenters, gas technicians, electricians, plumbers and fence and irrigation contractors. Several site visits were held before the project began and regular meetings were convened throughout the construction process.
Even with so many elements to bring together, the project ran very smoothly, with a limited amount of issues along the way, ultimately delivering the open, multi-functional space the homeowners wanted.
Jon Mulder is a senior landscape designer and project manager with Cedar Springs Landscape Group, an Ancaster, Ont.-based landscape design, construction and grounds care company. He can be reached at jon@cedarsprings.net or by visiting www.cedarsprings.net.
