Fine art and pool floaties rarely go hand in hand, but that is exactly what a dedicated Seattle art collector had in mind when reaching out to Best Practice Architecture to reinvigorate his front yard with a new, modest-sized pool. Framed by a laurel hedge and bamboo forest, the large grassy lawn lacked a casual place for the collector to splash around with his grandkids on a warm day. He also saw an opportunity to curate a personal sculpture park—an outdoor oasis that celebrates the intersection of art and architecture. Featuring commissioned work from revered artists including Jim Melchert, Mungo Thomson, and Jeffry Mitchell, the completed project exemplifies a true collaboration between designer, owner, and artists.
Prior to founding Best Practice, Architect Ian Butcher was on the original design team for the property’s house. Knowing the home’s history and having worked with its new owner on various projects over the years, Butcher and the Best Practice team developed a concept that would enhance the existing site’s celebrated design. Butcher commented, “It was a huge honor to be able to revisit this project from my early days as a young architect. I felt it was important to remain respectful of the original architecture and landscape while making it unique to our client.”
From the start, it was known that art would play a substantial role in the project, and once Best Practice developed its schematic design, the collector began engaging with artists. Work was selected to highlight certain features of the yard. Most notably, a custom tile installation by the late Jim Melchert and his grandson Galen Melchert titled, “Liquid Center.” Lining the bottom and one side of the new pool, Melchert’s work masterfully mimics the illusion of wavering swim lines when viewed from the water’s surface, transforming the simple, rectangular pool into an engaging work of art.
Adjacent to the pool, Best Practice lowered a grassy area to match the elevation of the house and its connecting patio, a grade change that created a long concrete bench at the pool’s edge. A second bench at the southwest corner completes the perimeter of seating, making the lowered yard an inviting place for outdoor ping pong tournaments—a favorite amongst the owner’s grandkids. To strengthen the connection between indoors and out, Best Practice added a new glass door between the kitchen and the patio, allowing for captivating views of Lake Washington on one side and the patio and pool on the other.
In collaboration with Best Practice, additional artwork was commissioned and strategically placed around the yard. At the corner of the patio is a custom bronze water feature created by Northwest artist Jeffry Mitchell. With soothing sounds of trickling water, “Bill’s Fountain” depicts a fantastic animal in the tradition of Koma Inu, or Fu Dogs. At the yard’s entry walkway, a piece from Mungo Thomson's “Snowman” series depicts stacked Amazon boxes painted in bronze—a cheeky commentary on the ephemerality of consumption.
Team:
Architect: Best Practice Architecture
Existing House Architect: E. Cobb Architects
Contractor: Dolan Construction
Owner’s Representative: John Hoedemaker
Structural Engineer: Smith Lubke Engineering
Lighting Designer: Lighting Design
Pool Designer: Pool Pro
Landscape Designer: Perennial Planning
Artists: Jim Melchert, Jeffry Mitchell, Mungo Thomson
Photography: Rafael Soldi
Material Used:
1. Pool Lighting: Hydrel 4800 LED SWM light fixture
2. Deck Wood Species: Ipe
