Page 157 - Australian House & Garden (January 2020)

GARDENS H G

PINE PERFECTION
The giant Norfolk Island
pine with spiral layers
of branches was preserved
in the new design. “We
designed everything around
the tree,” says Matt. “We MATT LEACY
cantilievered the pool pavilion
to protect its roots: it was
an engineering triumph.” Director and principal designer,
Landart

The brief
Living on the coast comes with rewards

(glorious ocean views!) and a few
challenges. Originally, this rear garden on
Sydney’s Northern Beaches had a
TOP JOB significant slope, with a 6m fall from back
The 8.2x3.2m pool pavilion was door to boundary edge. It was a difficult
designed with a load-bearing roof
to accommodate a roof garden. to use space with no significant plantings
Plants growing here include except for a beloved Norfolk Island pine.
rosemary, Crassula ovata ‘Bluebird’, The owners called on Matt Leacy to
Agave desmettiana and Miscanthus design a pool and entertaining area that
sinesis. Inside, the pavilion is would lure them from the house into
equipped with a kitchen, bathroom,
dining table and sofa: the perfect the back garden. The key prerequisite:
hangout spot. Heaven armchair to protect that pine tree.
(on lawn) from Eco Outdoor.
The result
The garden is now an enticing social
space consisting of an upper lawn and
a lower pool level. To add to its pulling
power, Matt designed a pool pavilion,
which is fully furnished with creature
comforts. The result is a feat of
engineering and logistics: the pool, for

example, sits five metres above natural
ground level. Protecting the Norfolk
Island pine was also a challenge. “We
had to cantilever the pavilion and
retaining walls so we didn’t disturb
the roots of the tree,” says Matt. “The
engineering was complex. But the tree,
I’m happy to say, is thriving.”

Designer statement

“We turned a completely unusable
disconnected garden into something that
is a drawcard and has purpose.” >

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