Project Overview

This coastal landscape design and construction project on the Sunshine Coast was created to transform a steep, previously unusable backyard into a highly functional outdoor retreat designed for entertaining, relaxation, and family living. Inspired by relaxed coastal resort living, the design combined clean architectural lines with lush tropical planting, creating a refined outdoor environment that feels both inviting and low-maintenance.

With the main living areas of the home positioned upstairs and limited connection to the backyard, a key focus of the project was improving usability and creating seamless flow between the home, pool, pavilion, and surrounding landscape spaces.

Scope of Works

The project included retaining walls, extensive drainage and stormwater management, freeform pool construction, poolside pavilion construction, travertine tiling, hardwood stairs and landings, timber bridges, glass pool fencing, feature lighting, tropical landscaping, turf installation, dry creek bed construction, irrigation and water management systems, and complete landscape construction throughout the property.

Construction Challenges

The site presented several significant construction and engineering challenges, including a steep 2.5 metre fall across the backyard, heavy stormwater runoff from neighbouring properties, multiple easements crossing the site, and a council-managed overland drainage channel running through the property. The heavy clay soil conditions further complicated drainage and water management throughout the build.

To overcome these challenges, strategically positioned retaining walls were used to create generous level spaces for the pool, pavilion, and lawn areas while allowing the design to work naturally with the site’s existing landform. Detailed stormwater management solutions, including integrated drainage infrastructure and a dry creek bed system, were incorporated to manage overland water flow while enhancing the landscape aesthetically.

The project also required careful planning to establish strong visual and physical connections between the upper-level living areas and the newly constructed outdoor spaces below, improving both functionality and overall usability of the property.

Materials & Finishes

A refined palette of travertine look tiling, rendered block walls, hardwood timber elements, tropical planting, and soft coastal tones was used throughout the project to create a cohesive resort-inspired aesthetic. Large-format tiles were continued through the pool and pavilion areas to visually connect the various outdoor zones, while tropical planting softened the hardscape elements and reinforced the relaxed coastal character of the property.

Durable construction materials and techniques were carefully selected to withstand the harsh Sunshine Coast climate, including rendered block retaining walls, hardwood timber structures, off-form concrete elements, and integrated stormwater management systems designed for long-term performance and low maintenance.

Outcome

The completed landscape on the Sunshine Coast delivers a highly functional and visually cohesive outdoor environment tailored to both entertaining and family living. Through the integration of structural landscaping, drainage engineering, pool construction, and tropical landscape design, the project successfully transformed a difficult sloping site into a relaxed coastal retreat that feels naturally connected to both the home and surrounding environment.

Learn more about the team!