Described by its builders as one of their all-time favourite builds, looking at this natural lagoon it’s easy to see why!
Set in Gumdale, a rural residential suburb 13 kilometres south-east of Brisbane, this private property demonstrates a contemporary Australian look that is relaxed — as all good Australian properties should be — and yet offers all the style and functionality of a modern abode. But it is perhaps the backyard that is the true showpiece of the home.
A large manmade lagoon, built by Waterscapes Australia, unfolds in a seamless flow from the back of the property’s main building across the yard and out towards the surrounding bushland. Featuring an organic form with edges formed by natural stone, this recreational pond is a feast for the eyes and is so innovatively built as to appear to have been on the property the whole time.
This new build was a couple of years in the making, during which the homeowner stuck to her desire to ensure the property honoured the natural landscape in which it sits. When discussing her desire for a backyard pond, she clearly stated, “I didn’t want a formal feature pool in this type of home, and I didn’t want a chlorine or a salt pool. I just wanted a natural pond, freshwater, with natural filtration so it’s as clean as it gets.” And Waterscapes delivered!
Specialists in unique aquatic ecosystems, the team at Waterscapes have extensive experience in creating streams, waterfalls, recreation and ecosystem ponds for commercial and residential projects. Each feature is individually crafted to blend with the existing landscape, making them the ideal choice for the Gumdale project.
A recreation pond stands at the centre of the landscape. Up to two metres at its deepest, it has plenty of shallow spots for paddlers and rock platforms scattered about to create a highly dimensional space. Subtle areas of ingress and egress, such as a shallow sandy bank on one side and cut granite steps that dissolve into natural rock platforms underwater, provide easy access to the pond without marring the organic form of the design.
Off one edge of the pond, a solid timber deck provides plenty of flat space to spread out loungers, which are shaded by an existing tree that was worked into the design and now spears up from the middle of the deck. A large boulder abuts the deck and provides the perfect launching spot for swimmers to dive into the deepest part of the pond.
For those that just want a good soak, one of the two wetland areas offers a sparkling waterfall that flows down into a sectioned-off space with seating. Swim in and out, or take the stairs, this restful area features cut-granite slabs, which serve as seats under the water and allow swimmers to gather and converse, or get a massage from Mother Nature as they rest beneath the waterfall.
Across from the deck sits a shallow edge carved out with triple-washed silica sand. Perfect for soaking up rays and for littlies to paddle safely, the sand also forms part of the important filtration system of the natural pond.
No salt, no chlorine, no chemicals, this freshwater pond is engineered to mimic the type of organic filtration you would find in nature. A pump system helps keep the water circulating, but it is the innovatively designed landscape that keeps the water clean enough for swimming and help support plant and aquatic life. Yes, there are live fish in the pond!
Two wetland areas constructed on either end of the pond provide the mechanisms needed for clean water. Flowing over strategically placed stones, the water is constantly being filtered as it passes through layers of rocks, with each area providing around 30-35 percent filtration for the pond. Plants are another part of maintaining a healthy ecosystem.
“Upflow wetland filters have been specifically designed to remove sediment and also provide massive surface area for the beneficial bacteria and microorganisms that manage nutrient loads and pathogens,” explained designer and builder Patrick Handley.
“Water is pumped into the base chamber of the filter area at specific flow rates, where the sediment drops to the floor so it can be removed during annual backflush maintenance. The water then moves up through graded pebble where it is filtered by colonies of beneficial bacteria and then returns to the pond or lake through gravity.”
Taking four weeks to complete, this incredible landscape will only get better with time as the pond matures, the plants settle in and a healthy habitat is established.
PROJECT PARTICULARS
Location Gumdale, Queensland
Product Supply Aquascape Supplies Australia
Stone Supply Gympie Granite
Aquatic Plants Suncoast Water Plants
Design Patrick Handley, Waterscapes Australia
Builder Waterscapes Australia
Video youtube.com/channel/UCGGtQk-XAUwtXHag-f0Eghw
Website
Send Enquiry To Waterscapes Australia Pty Ltd