With three children and a dog, the clients wanted an elegant pool with plenty of family-friendly entertaining space. On the wish list was to retain a large lawn for games; seat walls to provide extra seating for frequent neighborhood parties; hot tub/spa; space for an eventual outdoor kitchen; fire pit; landscape lighting; and irrigation. They requested high-quality natural materials and needed large plantings to provide immediate privacy from the neighbor with whom they share a driveway. For safety around the pool, 5-ft.-high fencing was required — and low maintenance plantings were a priority.

A 9-ft. slope from the last existing deck step riser effectively reduced the usable lot size. To create level space for the pool, Garden Gate first constructed along the south and west property boundaries a 130-ft.-long concrete block "gravity" retaining wall that is 4 ft. tall. They lowered the pool decking by 18 in. to best fit the pool into its steeply sloping site, while leaving space for the must-have lawn. Lowering the pool decking reduced the height and expense of the gravity wall (which is not seen by the client), and allowed for the construction of a flagstone-capped stone seat wall around the pool area. Active children dictated the need for decking on the far side of the pool. Multiple piers support it.

The steps down from the existing Ipe deck were modified to make space for the pool. Instead of a single straight staircase, Garden Gate split the steps into two flights, turned the last flight 90 degrees, and added a landing between them. The L-shape creates an outdoor kitchen corner just off the garage entry where a bathroom/changing area is located. Curved flagstone steps from the landing reverse the arc of the seat wall that defines the dining area. The stone of the seat wall matches the stone façade on the house as one looks toward the pool's deep end to the lawn.

A local company, Alpine Pool & Design Corp., installed the pool, spa and water jets, and Garden Gate did the masonry construction. A dark blue finish was selected for the rectangular pool, and commercial-quality black aluminum fencing was selected to visually disappear and allow views into the woods at the perimeter of the property.

Low-voltage lighting subtly highlights planting and landscape elements and allows for safe circulation at night. Steeds holly, a Kousa dogwood and crapemyrtles screen the pool from the end of the shared driveway, while low-maintenance plants like styrax, hydrangea and oakleaf hydrangea, Virginia sweetspire, hosta, heuchera, rhododendron, azalea, hardy geranium, colorful annuals, and variegated Solomon's seal lend interest around the pool through the seasons. This project won a Grand Award from the regional Landscape Contractors' Association (MD, DC & VA) and a Merit Award from PLANET in 2007.