At TDL, we believe a well-designed landscape doesn’t just sit beside a home—it frames it, flows with it, and most importantly, opens it up. When a property enjoys stunning vistas—be it a riverbank, ocean horizon, or a leafy treetop—we work with precision to ensure those views are celebrated, not obscured. Our approach centres around openness, seamless transitions, and a strong connection between architecture and landscape. Here’s a closer look at how we design to maximise openness and make the most of the views, through a selection of our recent projects:
1. Framing Views with Functionality
This contemporary alfresco zone balances openness and privacy, designed to draw the eye outward without distraction. The elevated terrace provides an uninterrupted outlook across the treetops and river valley, while minimalist columns and clean-lined furniture maintain visual clarity. The lounging area is arranged to capture the best sightlines, creating a calm, immersive atmosphere for outdoor living.
Key Design Elements:
• Integrated fireplace and lounge for relaxed comfort
• Frameless glass fencing to maintain safety without blocking views
• Cacti and low planting keep vertical interruption minimal
2. Riverfront Relaxation
This poolside escape captures the essence of riverside living. Our design works with the natural contour of the land, using low retaining walls and open fencing to ensure every angle frames the river beyond. The plant palette remains low and lush, ensuring the water remains the focal point. Pool design here wasn’t just about recreation—it was about orientation and outlook.
Key Design Elements:
• Pool orientation aligned with river views
• Low planting beds to anchor space without blocking sightlines
• Neutral, reflective finishes to complement the water
3. Twilight Serenity
As day turns to dusk, this riverside poolscape glows with considered simplicity. The design uses elevation to float above the water’s edge, while a restrained plant palette and soft landscape lighting allow nature to take centre stage. We’ve created a tranquil edge here—one that blends architecture and environment, without overpowering either.
Key Design Elements:
• Subtle lighting to highlight reflection and mood
• Slimline glass balustrade to extend openness
• Precision paving to guide views through space
4. Architectural Harmony with the Landscape
This modernist home is grounded by a landscape that responds to its architecture. Planting softens the building’s linear form, while the elevated lawn terrace provides a place to pause and take in the horizon. A floating roofline creates an open-air gallery feel, guiding movement and reinforcing the connection between indoor and out.
Key Design Elements:
• Planting beds that echo architectural form
• Elevated platform as a viewing point
• Open lawn to create depth and draw the eye outward
5. Creating a Lawn with a Purpose
Here, simplicity defines the space. A sculptural garden sits at the edge of a bold lawn—an elevated green plane designed not just for recreation, but for uninterrupted views. Thoughtfully placed boundary planting enhances privacy while keeping the river in clear sight. It’s a classic example of doing more with less, where restraint becomes a powerful design tool.
Key Design Elements:
• Strategic mass planting to anchor the edges
• Frameless boundary lines to preserve the outlook
• Expansive lawn as a reflective pause between house and view
6. Contemporary Refinement in Coastal Living
This sleek, coastal lap pool mirrors the architecture it adjoins—clean, linear, and quietly luxurious. A cantilevered upper storey and glass fencing allow light to pour through the space, while the pool becomes a reflective strip pulling your eye toward the ocean. It’s a masterclass in alignment and proportion, using symmetry to enhance openness.
Key Design Elements:
• Glass fencing and neutral stone to enhance reflectivity
• Long, narrow pool creating visual depth
• Upper-level overhangs providing framing without enclosure
7. Vibrant Geometry with a View
This colourful retreat uses hardscape patterns to animate the space, while the pool’s elevated edge maximises perspective over the river. Succulents and sculptural planting create intrigue up close, while the distant water views pull your attention outward. The design manages to be playful and structured at once—a garden full of perspective and contrast.
Key Design Elements:
• Patterned paving to break up hardscapes with interest
• Low, layered planting for vibrancy without view loss
• Positioning pool to take full advantage of slope
8. Layered Openness in a Native Palette
Here, soft native planting blends seamlessly with sculpted retaining, guiding the eye toward the water’s edge. Built on a steep site, this design used layers to open the space up vertically as well as horizontally. It’s a celebration of texture, light, and native tones—all composed to frame the river like a living painting.
Key Design Elements:
• Tiered planting for depth and movement
• Simple hardscape forms to avoid visual clutter
• Elevated seating platforms to maximise vantage points
Final Thoughts: Letting the Landscape Speak
At TDL, designing for view and openness is never just about what you see—it’s about how a space makes you feel. Our process carefully balances architecture, site conditions, and spatial planning to amplify what’s already beautiful in a site.
From riverbank pools to coastal terraces, each project above reflects our commitment to designing outdoor spaces that are not only functional but emotionally resonant spaces that breathe, connect, and inspire.
Ready to Design a Landscape That Opens Up?
Whether you’re perched on a hillside or steps from the coast, we’d love to help you create a landscape that enhances your outlook—and your lifestyle.
Reach out to TDL to begin designing a space that truly opens up to its potential.
