The Orewa Sub-Tropical Retreat project is a stunning residential landscape transformation designed to enhance outdoor living and create a lush, resort-like retreat. Our goal was to merge functionality with aesthetics, providing the homeowners with a relaxing, private oasis. The project integrates a well-balanced mix of structured hardscapes and flowing natural elements, featuring a swimming pool, spa, outdoor kitchen, and an immersive planting plan. Overcoming challenges such as space constraints and integrating existing structures, our design maximized usability while maintaining a seamless flow between zones.

Key highlights include a feature rock garden, lush sub-tropical planting, floating timber stairs, and an elegant gazebo with a louvered roof. Innovative elements such as vertical sleeper pool fencing and a mix of glass and timber screening enhance privacy without compromising openness. This harmonious blend of hard and soft landscaping elevates the site’s natural beauty, fostering an inviting, tranquil ambiance.

Inspired by the subtropical climate of Orewa and the homeowners’ appreciation for natural landscapes, the design draws influence from tropical resorts and contemporary outdoor living. Lush greenery, layered planting, and textural contrasts create a dynamic yet soothing environment. The use of natural materials, such as timber and stone, reinforces an organic feel, while sleek architectural elements add modern sophistication.

The combination of structured and free-form planting enhances visual interest while maintaining cohesion. The result is a garden that exudes tranquillity, richness, and effortless elegance.

The client wanted their existing backyard upgraded to suit the needs of their growing family. The family wanted a large pool for the children to enjoy, along with a covered spa area that can be used in all weather. Inside the pool area, they wanted an outdoor shower and a sun lounging area with umbrella. They also wanted to maintain a large flat lawn area for the kids to play.
The connection of the existing outdoor deck and seating area needed to remain private despite being right next to the pool. It was purposefully screened off from the pool area by a sculptural feature pool fence and gate made of Corten Steel vertical profiles. The clients also wanted the area to be lit up at night so they could enjoy the outdoor areas into the evening with privacy from the neighbours while retaining the rural outlook.

The client wanted a large functional pool to allow them to swim laps yet still be suitable for their teenagers to enjoy. They also wanted a sun lounging area next to the pool for relaxing.
The existing deck area attached to the house needed a total revamp. They wanted a seating area, BBQ area and a morning coffee spot to move more of their lives outdoors. The pathway to the second dwelling on the property, needed to be connected to the main house and fit in with the overall redesign.
It was important to emphasise the views to the pool area from the deck, creating indoor/outdoor flow and as the family are keen gardeners, they wanted to retain the tropical planting which brings colour and life into their new garden.

The client wanted a total backyard make-over to fit in a pool and maximise the space they had available to create an outdoor entertainment area with indoor-outdoor flow. They wished to create a connection to the existing deck by using a creative design with level changes down to the lawn. The location of the pool needed to be in the sunniest spot with loungers in the shade, and it was important to maintain a grass area for the dog to play. The clients wanted to keep the existing Nikau palms and loved the idea of a tropical themed garden connected to the swimming pool area by large floating steps. In this case, a clever innovative design has resulted in a beautiful area that has exceeded the clients’ expectations.

The design intent was to create an entertainment area for a family who enjoys the outdoors. They primarily wanted a feature resort style swimming pool with night lighting. The indoor-outdoor flow was very important as the family enjoys spending time outdoors and frequently entertain guests. The outdoor living was required on every side of the house including a large outdoor dining area along with spa and pool area. A flat lawn and petanque court was also a required feature for the family to enjoy.

The brief was to create three defined spaces in the backyard to meet the growing family’s needs including a pool with retreat area, a flat lawn for the son to play on and socialise with his friends. Then on the lower level, a complete entertainment area with outdoor kitchen, fireplace, pizza oven and barbeque area covered by a louvre-tech pergola. All these different elements were designed in harmony to create a private and secluded yet functional area for the family to enjoy for years to come.

The client wanted a new pool area and design for an outdoor entertainment space, including an area for sunbeds next to the pool. The design requirements were for simple clean lines with close attention to the colour palette for materials. They also required that the space had no clutter and was low maintenance. A minimalist approach was taken to materials and the paving design was stripped back to just the essential functions of the space. Attention to finishing and detail throughout the construction was what brought this simple modern design to life.

The client required a makeover of their outdoor seating area and pool. The old pool was pulled out and a new one created in the same space. They required us to integrate the pump, filtration system and heating to a more logical and quieter location. They also wanted us to improve the transition from the house into the pool area, and to create a more useable space. It was important to incorporate more planting and greenery into the landscape around the pool area. To create shade was also a consideration as the outdoor area is north facing and they wanted to create a larger deck with outdoor seating area.

The client had a dated kidney shaped liner pool surrounded by clay coping and cracked coloured concrete. The brief was to provide a face lift and modernise the shape of the pool to match the modern clean lines of the adjacent new deck and recently created outdoor area. They also required the pool and surrounding area to be low maintenance and free from clutter. The design requirements were for simple clean lines, with close attention to detail as the client appreciated quality finishing and has a fine eye for detail.

We needed a garden that fitted with the rest of our property. We have several Vedic temples (made of concrete) and a lot of marble Vedic statues around our estate. We have a ‘forest’ of mostly natives with an understory of Camellias, we have a bamboo forest, and we have a lot of cycads and palms. Therefore, we are extremely happy with the garden around our house, which contains an assortment of most of these plants and look handsome against our ‘Balinese’ style house. At your suggestion we have a beautiful marble Vedic statue inside the gate, as a feature with lights, as well as a large section of Balinese carved wall and two carved wall hangings also from Bali. This all goes very well together and gives us the result we wanted. We are also delighted with the outdoor kitchen, the fire, the spa, the pétanque area, the toilet and shower, and the pool area generally – our adult children and all their friends, as well as our grandchildren, make extensive use of it, and it all works well.
Client – Neil and Gaynor