Home & Design

A rain waterfall adds ambiance as it cascades into the pool from the flat roof of the sheltered area. Photo: Kevin Kurdziolek

Slatted-fir walls filter the sun’s rays and offer privacy in the sheltered lounge area rimmed by built-in seating. Photo: Kevin Kurdziolek

The architectural fire feature was custom-designed in black and wood-look porcelain. Basalt pool coping caps the stone retaining wall around the pool. Fiberon decking is a long-lasting, low-maintenance surface. Photo: Kevin Kurdziolek

Grand Award: Pool Scape

Pristine Acres

On completing construction of a modern custom home in Vienna, the owners asked Pristine Acres to create a backyard haven on their small lot. With careful planning, the design team was able to accommodate a 35-by-18-foot pool and an adjacent, flat-roofed pavilion housing a kitchen with a bar counter and lounge area. A fire feature borders the pool on one side. “Our solution weaves all the project elements together in a compact footprint that leaves only one square foot of buildable area untouched,” notes landscape architect Kevin Kurdziolek. A waterfall feature rains into the pool from the cantilevering roof of the custom shelter; the steel structure’s sleek lines complement the contemporary architecture of the dwelling.

"Functionality was maximized on a small lot. The use of wood really warms the space."
Kate Ries, jurist

Landscape Architecture: Steve Waldron, president; Kevin Kurdziolek, PLA, ASLA, Pristine Acres.

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