Infinity & Beyond
The homeowner wanted a landscape and outdoor entertainment space that would do justice to his exquisite Lake Minnetonka home and enhance opportunities for high level business meetings and entertaining family and friends. Both the vehicle approach and view from the water needed to look luxurious and distinctive.
The designer was able to move the property line, site the structures and re-grade the property after the client bought the adjacent lot. This opened the door for an elegant upper gateway and terraced descent to an unforgettable infinity pool that makes the lake feel like it is right outside.
The main focus of the design is the infinity pool. It was positioned so the infinity edge faces the largest view of the lake. The designer created a large lounging patio for big parties as well as a lower patio for drinks and cigars. The unique water feature with plants break ups and softens the extensive hardscapes.
The designer went with a lighter colored travertine because it is cooler for bare feet. However, a bluestone inlay adds interest and matches the bluestone in the pool house. The 3x3-foot pieces are laid diagonally with a tumbled bluestone border. The travertine and bluestone pool deck was mortar set over a 4-in. reinforced concrete slab The overlook features a new type of 4-in.-wide bluestone plank. Poolside fire bowls and water jets provide constant motion and add to the resort ambience.
The front yard features a new 6000 sf. driveway and entry landscape. Existing pavers were reused for the decorative circle. A handsome arched gateway defines the route to entertainment area.
One of the biggest challenges was the grade change. The property slopes 23 feet from the walkout basement to the shoreline. They engineered a series of three curved ledgestone retaining walls to tame the hillside and provide more useable space. A four-foot–wide bluestone stairway with charcoal paver walkway meanders down the grade to the dock.
The contractors demonstrated two innovative approaches. An excavator equipped with a robotic end installed the engineered wall. And the synthetic turf field doubles as a drain field, allowing runoff to soak into the soil before it reaches the lake.
An upgraded gas service line was required to serve the various appliances and fixtures, which included two 300,000 BTU electronic-ignition fire pits, two 100,000 BTU gas grills, two 30,000 BTU copper fire bowls and a 500,000 BTU pool heater.
The designer was able to move the property line, site the structures and re-grade the property after the client bought the adjacent lot. This opened the door for an elegant upper gateway and terraced descent to an unforgettable infinity pool that makes the lake feel like it is right outside.
The main focus of the design is the infinity pool. It was positioned so the infinity edge faces the largest view of the lake. The designer created a large lounging patio for big parties as well as a lower patio for drinks and cigars. The unique water feature with plants break ups and softens the extensive hardscapes.
The designer went with a lighter colored travertine because it is cooler for bare feet. However, a bluestone inlay adds interest and matches the bluestone in the pool house. The 3x3-foot pieces are laid diagonally with a tumbled bluestone border. The travertine and bluestone pool deck was mortar set over a 4-in. reinforced concrete slab The overlook features a new type of 4-in.-wide bluestone plank. Poolside fire bowls and water jets provide constant motion and add to the resort ambience.
The front yard features a new 6000 sf. driveway and entry landscape. Existing pavers were reused for the decorative circle. A handsome arched gateway defines the route to entertainment area.
One of the biggest challenges was the grade change. The property slopes 23 feet from the walkout basement to the shoreline. They engineered a series of three curved ledgestone retaining walls to tame the hillside and provide more useable space. A four-foot–wide bluestone stairway with charcoal paver walkway meanders down the grade to the dock.
The contractors demonstrated two innovative approaches. An excavator equipped with a robotic end installed the engineered wall. And the synthetic turf field doubles as a drain field, allowing runoff to soak into the soil before it reaches the lake.
An upgraded gas service line was required to serve the various appliances and fixtures, which included two 300,000 BTU electronic-ignition fire pits, two 100,000 BTU gas grills, two 30,000 BTU copper fire bowls and a 500,000 BTU pool heater.
Project Year: 2015
Country: United States
