Free Form Swimming Pool Install and Landscape

Swimming Pool Construction
Duarte

Asymmetrical Balance in Landscape Design

Asymmetrical balance, unlike the more formal mirrored symmetry, is about creating a visually harmonious space through the thoughtful arrangement of elements with different shapes, sizes, and weights. In this project, asymmetrical balance is achieved by carefully distributing visual weight across the yard, ensuring that no single feature overpowers another and that interest is spread evenly throughout.

In this example, groupings of palm trees and large red banana plants are strategically spaced across the yard. These plant groupings act as anchor points, creating a natural rhythm that leads the eye around the space without any sense of strict repetition or mirroring. For instance, the fire pit and waterfall are on one side of the pool, while the large spa and another waterfall feature are positioned on the other side. While these elements don’t mirror each other, their placement ensures that attention is balanced, making the yard feel cohesive and well-proportioned.

Plantings and Hardscaping

Kangaroo paw planters with boulders are placed on both sides of the Baja shelf entrance to the pool. This setup visually connects the pool to the surrounding plantings, giving the impression that the pool area intersects and harmonizes with the adjacent planters. The seating areas, distributed throughout the yard, also contribute to this balance. Retaining walls behind the pool serve a functional purpose in managing the yard’s slope while adding visual mass. This heavy visual weight is balanced by the raised spa on the opposite side of the pool. Similarly, seat walls around the fire pit find a counterpart behind the spa, creating subtle equilibrium throughout the yard. The smooth concrete paving that runs consistently through the yard ties these elements together, offering a grounding effect.

Boulders and Spatial Flow

The boulders are spaced around the yard and along the pool perimeter, with no clustering on just one side. The substantial mass of the pool and the structural weight of the walls naturally draw the eye around the yard in a rhythmic and harmonious manner. Various elements—such as seating areas, plant groupings, boulders, and material choices—interact in a way that feels balanced yet informal, with no single area dominating the scene. Despite the variety of features, the design achieves a calm flow due to the harmonious arrangement. The pool’s central mass acts as a focal point, establishing a radial balance that guides the viewer’s gaze while creating a light, relaxing atmosphere at the heart of the yard.

Contrast in Materials

The design incorporates contrasting materials, such as smooth concrete interspersed with stacked flagstone, creating a progression from smooth to rough textures. This transition provides visual separation and adds depth, enhancing the sense of balance by contrasting simple and complex surfaces. The smooth concrete pathways offer a clean, modern feel, while the stacked flagstone introduces a natural, rugged aesthetic, enriching the overall texture of the space.