The Backyard That Finally Connected.
Somerville, Mornington Peninsula. Outdoor investment that added value, safety and a place for the family to grow into.
The Brief
Samm and James had a generous block in Somerville and a backyard they walked past every day without stopping.
The rear of the house had no covered area, no reason to step outside, and nothing that pulled the family out of the interior. The inside of the home was considered. The outside wasn’t. The pool was a plan that kept getting deferred.
They came to ArchIdea with a detailed brief and a brain dump. A curved bar counter for entertaining. A fire pit with a brick bench seat. A retractable awning over the pool area for the kids. Provisions for an outdoor kitchen. All of it to be delivered by November 2024, so the pool would be ready for their first Peninsula summer in the new space.
The budget was $250,000 ex-GST,including the pool build itself, to cover demolition, landscaping, pool fencing, concreting, and furniture. A tight envelope for a complex programme.
For Samm and James, this wasn’t just a renovation. It was a considered investment in how their family would use the home and in the long-term value of the property.
“I don’t know how to articulate my style but I think it’s simple modern- neutral palettes and greenery.”
– Samm
Somerville Project
before construction: a generous block with no covered space and no connection to the home's living areas.
What We Designed and Why.
The brief had competing priorities that needed to be resolved into a single coherent sequence: a complex functional programme, a tight budget, and a strong preference for restraint.
The answer was organisation -not adding more, but giving everything a place.
We structured the backyard into three connected zones so the family could move between them naturally depending on the time of day or who was visiting.
Zone One: Covered Alfresco Off the Kitchen
A 30m² plastered alfresco directly off the living area, with overhead heating, dimmable downlights, and provisions for an inbuilt BBQ and bar fridge. The floor finish matches the pool surrounds and the same pavilion concrete finish runs through both spaces so the transition feels continuous rather than stitched together.
Glazed pool fencing separates the alfresco from the pool area, keeping sightlines open and the safety requirement invisible. Designed to seat twelve, the brief was specific about that, with the layout oriented so the entertaining area always overlooks the water.
The roofline and material palette in whites, greys, monument as the darkest accent were matched deliberately to the existing home so the addition reads as original, not bolted on.
Zone Two: Pool Courtyard With Pavilion Finish
The Reflection pool with Splash Deck at 8.5m × 3.8m, surrounded by concrete in a pavilion finish with anti-slip sandy resin sealer. A curved glass fence encloses the pool area – keeping sightlines open between the alfresco and the water while meeting pool safety requirements. Balinese-style poolside planting softens the perimeter, keeping the tropical feel of the brief without the maintenance load of feature trees.
Like most projects delivered to a fixed budget, some elements were value-managed during construction. The retractable awning and privacy screening were deferred to allow the core scope – the alfresco structure, pool surrounds, and courtyard connection to be delivered without compromise.
Zone Three: Pergola Courtyard
The curved garage wall forms the back of a pergola courtyard that sits between the alfresco and the pool- a transitional space that gives the outdoor sequence somewhere to breathe. It’s neither fully covered nor fully open, neither entertaining space nor pool surround. It does the job of connecting the two zones without forcing the family to choose between them.
Large pots with semi-tropical planting line the space, lower maintenance than in-ground beds, and flexible enough to change as the garden matures.
A fire pit with curved brick bench seat is planned for this area in a future stage -the brief specified it, and the space is designed to receive it.
Materials Chosen for the Peninsula
Everything specified for salt air, summer heat, and a family that doesn’t want to spend weekends maintaining their outdoor area. Colour palette held strictly to whites, greys, and monument. No metallics. Timber-look panelling detail on the outdoor cabinetry. A fresh neutral base that doesn’t limit future furnishing choices.
30
ALFRESCO AREA m2
67
POOL COURTYARD AREA m2
“Having the pool and covered area designed together made all the difference. Everything connects perfectly.”
Samm, Homeowner.
In Somerville, the alfresco creates a practical outdoor area for relaxing, dining, and spending time with family. It’s straightforward, functional, and connected to the backyard.
Construction details: materials specified for the Peninsula’s coastal environment.
The Result
What was an empty expanse of lawn is now the most-used part of the home. The family entertains in the alfresco, the kids use the pool, and the covered space means outdoor dining is realistic in May, not just January.
The inside and the outside finally connect.
Beyond the way the family uses the space, the project delivered something more lasting. A connected, well-designed outdoor area on the Mornington Peninsula is one of the highest-returning investments a homeowner can make. Pool, covered alfresco and landscaped courtyard, designed as a single coherent sequence rather than unconnected additions, compounds that return.
The kids have a safe, contained zone around the pool with compliant glass fencing and sightlines from the alfresco. The adults have an entertaining space that works for two people on a Tuesday evening and twelve guests on a Saturday. The property reflects the investment.
Front Facade
The completed outdoor living project
Front Grage Facade
The updated garage with new pitched roof houses a workshop with direct access to the covered pergola courtyard beyond, perfectly matching the existing brick facade.
Project Details
Location: Somerville, Mornington Peninsula
Completed: Early 2025
Scope: Alfresco, pool courtyard, pergola, landscaping
Alfresco: 30m² covered, plastered, heated
Pool: 8.5m × 3.8m, pavilion finish surrounds
Budget: $250,000 ex-GST,including the pool build
Outcome: Enhanced property value, family entertainment space, compliant pool safety zone
Thinking About Connecting Your Indoor and Outdoor Living?
A well-designed outdoor space on the Mornington Peninsula is one of the smartest investments you can make in your home. ArchIdea works with homeowners across Somerville, Baxter, Tyabb, Hastings, Langwarrin, Flinders, Somers, Mt Eliza and the wider Mornington Peninsula to design homes inside and out which built around how you actually live.
