Share to
BLACK MIRROR
By : Stuart Webster Design
GRANDS PRIX DU DESIGN – 17th edition
Discipline : Landscape & Territories : Grand Winner
Categories : Landscape Architecture / Landscape Architecture - Private Residence : Platinum Winner
BLACK MIRROR
Situated in a picturesque neighbourhood from Montreal with its stately homes and meticulously maintained façades, this small rear garden had lost some of its original charm over the years. Our mandate was to focus on the following: a rather outdated garden design in need of an update; crumbling pavers throughout the terrace; moss overtaking the lawns; and the client’s wish for a pool as well as more overall open space for outdoor recreation.
The existing terrace, adjacent to the living and dining room of this Tudor-style villa, was built on top of a concrete structure that covers the access to the underground garage, therefore is slightly higher than the original garden level. This L-shaped concrete structure, together with the desire to design the largest pool possible in the relatively small courtyard, strongly influenced our approach and became our greatest challenge.
In an effort to use this limited space to its full advantage – while keeping in mind the city’s regulations – we came up with the idea of designing a 3-sided infinity/deck level pool. Extending almost the entire length of the terrace, the zero-edge design provides an almost seamless transition between the two elements, simultaneously blurring the boundaries of the pool. The effect is such that one feels that the water is level with the pool deck, interrupted only by the almost inconspicuous thin line of a slot-drain. The black colour of the pool, together with the black Saint-Henri stone of the coping, enhances this impression through the resulting mirror effect – that of a black mirror whose reflection is constantly changing according to the angle or position of the viewer. The pool can appear much like a polished black granite surface, or even a mirrored reflection of the clouds above as well as that of the canopy of surrounding trees.
The terrace is slightly extended to the east side to integrate an outdoor kitchen. The privacy of this new space is ensured by large planters with tall conifers. In order to install the necessary balance basin for the infinity pool and for the look to be as discreet as possible, a second small terrace is created next to the pool at garden level, under which the basin is hidden. This terrace serves as a reading corner as well as a retreat due to the slightly lower level and offers a pleasant view of the cascading water on this side of the pool.
The new decking with long narrow natural stone slabs unifies the terrace space while contributing to the calming effect of the 0-edge pool.
The high wooden fence primarily guarantees privacy for the newly designed space while blocking access from the outside. The pattern with narrow vertical wooden slats mirrors the window bars of the house. Together with the fence posts, they create a rhythm that gives the whole space a sense of calm. This effect is enhanced by the indirect lighting of the courtyard installed on the posts of the fence.
A second fence, this one in clear glass, ensures controlled access from the house to the terrace without blocking the view of the reflecting pool.
As a contrast to the rather neutral and calm colours of the constructed elements (pool, terrace & fence), the garden furniture, with its bright pops of colour, appear like flowerbeds spread along the terrace.
Collaboration
Landscape Architecture : Stuart Webster Design
