Backyard Pavilion Location

2 months ago

Hi, I’m having a dilemma in terms of where to place the pavilion in my backyard. I’m using the pavilion more for possibly putting a tv and seating. I also have about 20 ft of grass space to the right of the picture thats not shown.

Should I put it by A and leave B for my sun lounging area or should I put the pavilion at B and use A as my sun lounging area?

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3onthetree

2 months ago

last modified: 2 months ago

Does nothing exist in the backyard? No patio, no pool, a blank space? Do you have pictures?

There is too much going on, too many different things. Like a kit of blocks (house, patio, patio stair, bball court, pergola, play area, pool, plantings) that you nested near each other, but each one is different than the other and there is no flow or design scheme that connects each one. And you are forcing a symmetrical "tee" shape for some reason, when your site is oblong and slopes downward in one corner. I assume this is a $150K+ endeavor, does this project deserve more thought by a capable designer like if you were to remodel your kitchen for $150K?

What is the necessity functionally to have the seating/tv pergola off of the back end of the pool sun ledge, far from house, and connection to bball court? Why is a firepit close to the house and given preference over the seating area? Why is the dining area far from seating? Why is it so important for so much flat yard beyond the perimeter of the playset, which the playset needs, but the sandbox can be lower and kids can easily play on gently sloping ground? Why is the 3' retaining wall probably into an easement, and not following the property line? Does the pool have to be centered on the house, and the space around it limited to aligning with the house? I assume the only house entry to this outdoor space is in the bay, which holds a Breakfast Area. If so, is this going to remain always, for such a large outdoor living space (e.g. is there a chance there will be a doorway from the Family Room to this back yard to add to the constricted circulation around the breakfast table)?

Outdoor spaces should be designed just like a concept of rooms in a house. Flow, circulation, adjacencies, balance, proportion, views, function, private/public.

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Comments (13)

mad_gallica (z5 Eastern NY)
2 months ago
Does anyone at your house actually *play* basketball? If so, you may want to reconsider having anything at A. Basketballs are fairly heavy, and very good at ending up places they shouldn't be.
Panda Bear
Original Author
2 months ago
More recreational than serious game play if that helps answer your question!
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mad_gallica (z5 Eastern NY)
2 months ago
Some people put in a 'basketball court' and simply use it as paved play area. They rarely, if ever, have basketballs flying around. If you are really going to have basketballs flying around in a confined space, you have to account for them. I know the amount of damage they can do to shrubbery, and having them anywhere near a TV just gives me the jitters.
millworkman
2 months ago
Is the drawing to scale? If not how about dimensions?
Panda Bear
Original Author
2 months ago
Hey Milworkman, it is drawn to scale. But, the dimensions are: Pool 40 x 20 with 4ft paver wrap around, 6ft on the far long side of pool. Pavilion area 20 x 12. Sport court 40 x 30. Patio off the house is 50 x 20
Panda Bear
Original Author
2 months ago
This has the measurements but ignore to the right of the pool. I’m removing that section to offset the cost of pavilion
floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK
2 months ago
last modified: 2 months ago
I have no suggestions about the yard but it might be useful to readers if you kept all your questions about the same site in one thread. Then people could see what has already been suggested and not repeat ideas already discussed.
chispa
2 months ago
Can you show us a photo of what you think this "pavilion" will look like?

Do you mean a pergola structure over a patio?
Panda Bear
Original Author
2 months ago
Hi chispa, see the photo.
Panda Bear
Original Author
2 months ago
Hi chispa, see the photo. I think I should flip the pool and put shallow end on right and put pavilion on right as well?
littlebug Zone 5 Missouri
2 months ago
last modified: 2 months ago
What threeonthetree said. Agree on your conglomeration of things/activities, and it seems you are trying to shoehorn unrelated activities right upside one another.

Have you sat and seriously considered exactly how you want to use the yard? As someone else said, for example, a basketball court does not seem sensible right next to non-athletic activities.

One more thing. I would want a lounging area (pavilion, for example) right next the house. If I feel like lounging, I probably don’t feel liking hiking across the yard to do it.
JT7abcz
2 months ago
What 3onthetree and little bug said. A couple more factors that should be considered are your climate and which directions the pavilion and pool will face. Consider trekking across the yard in heat or rain or cold, and how likely you are to use it if you aren't in a moderate climate. Also, will you be facing the sun to watch TV, or a cold north wind since it is open on all sides?