Luxury backyard transformation

Our client, a busy couple, have owned their property for many years and own a global aeronautical engineering company that supplies high-tech equipment to critical industries. A demanding professional life often requiring extensive travel, leaves them little time for significant home renovations. Their dream was to transform their backyard into a serene retreat to unwind and recharge.

Our client's key aspiration was to create a tranquil outdoor space as well as a high-security storage facility to protect valuable assets and meet stringent supplier requirements.

The property, borders Australia’s largest national park, and whilst offering breathtaking views, presented significant challenges. Firstly, the national park was presenting consistent water runoff and swamp-like conditions in our client's backyard. Secondly, the stringent building code requirements for a "Flame Zone" Bushfire Attack Level - (BAL FZ) location meant that material choice and compliance was very critical. Thirdly, the property's steep incline posed significant logistical challenges for project delivery.

Excel Tradeworks approach required innovative problem-solving methods, for which we are regularly known.

Traditional access methods were impractical for this property due to its steep, high set lot and the backyard's soft, boggy conditions. To address these challenges, we needed a creative solution. The team initiated a collaborative process to secure permission for a temporary access road through the public land behind the property with Ku-ring-gai Council, usually renowned for their stringent regulations. Constructing this access road would drastically improve the asset protection and involved sourcing and transporting virgin sandstone from the Central Coast to create a stable, durable pathway suitable for the surrounding national park terrain. Furthermore, it needed to be capable of supporting heavy machinery, as this access was crucial for removing over 200 tonnes of waste material, extremely costly to do from the street access.

To address the chronic water runoff issue on the client's property we needed a comprehensive drainage system. This involved constructing a curved retaining wall, 2m high in sections, to raise boundary levels and prevent water ingress from the park. We also installed custom designed stainless steel drainage channels and designed a series of concrete levels to direct water flow. This combined approach successfully transformed the once swampy backyard into a dry, usable outdoor space.

The construction of the storage facility needed to adhere strictly to BAL-FZ regulations. Concrete filled block walls, specialized roofing, and fire-resistant materials ensured compliance. Additional features included fire suppression sprinkler system provisions, energy-efficient lighting and climate control ventilation.

The client’s property presented a unique opportunity to create an outdoor space that harmonized with the surrounding natural environment. To enhance the property's aesthetic appeal and create a serene oasis, the backyard was designed with gorgeous travertine paving surrounding the pool and building perimeter, careful landscaping and a fully tiled, concrete, resort-style pool which was excavated into solid sandstone.

To complement the property's proximity to the National Park, a careful selection of native Australian plant species was incorporated into the garden beds. These indigenous plants not only enhanced the property's aesthetic appeal but also contributed to local biodiversity, bringing the national park's birdlife into the client's backyard. Popular herbs and edible berries were added to the garden beds because we knew clients love to cook. The installation of luscious Zoysia turf on the lawn areas provided a green expanse contrasting the surrounding bushland.

Consideration was also given to the placement of plants to enhance both the pool's visual impact and the rear oasis, while providing privacy from neighbouring properties. The landscaping design aimed to blur the boundaries between the backyard and the park, creating a seamless transition between the man-made and natural environments.

Finally, we created a landscaped swale on the outside of the property in the council owned public land. This helped stop water ingress as well as soil displacement on the council side before becoming a problem on the client's property, exceeding both the client's and the council's expectations.

Excel Tradeworks successfully transformed this complex project through innovative solutions and expert craftsmanship. The result is a property that exemplifies our commitment to delivering exceptional outcomes for our clients. North Wahroonga's name originates from an Aboriginal word meaning "our home" and we are honoured to be able to help our clients create that feeling with this project.