COS Design: who, what when

COS Design, formerly Creative Outdoor Solutions started in 2000 as a landscape construction company and it pretty much was me, an apprentice and my Ute.

We work with many pool builders and there are a few requirements that remain high on the priority list when recommending builders to our clients and projects.

After just missing out on the first ever intake of Landscape Architect students at Melbourne University straight out of school. I stepped away from what I knew I loved for six to seven years and earned myself a business management degree.

After designing and constructing the front garden of my first house, my true passion and calling had slapped me in the face, and I immediately enrolled myself into night school to learn the trade of landscape design and construction and the rest was history.

Six months into the course I had resigned from my well-paid management role and I was on the tools, digging holes for minimum wage and I had never been happier. The day I got qualified was the day I started my company which also happened to be the day my first child was born.

After a year or two of building other designer’s gardens I started designing my own projects for free to simply win construction works and become a self-sustaining entity. We quickly grew to a team of 11 and were designing and building award winning gardens for a number of years until I came to the realisation that I was only building gardens to bring my designs to life.

The big decision was made in 2010 to wind construction down and purely design as the design business became a profitable and sustainable business within its own rights. 12 years later we are still growing strong and are currently designing approximately 80 plus gardens a year with a team of 7 wonderful employees. Our services include consulting, concept plans, town planning, working drawings, construct administration and procurement.

Trends

As we are all aware trends do come and go and we have seen many over the years. The one that really stands out for me would be in the early 2000’s when yuccas became the “in” plant and were being used in every second suburban garden. Never again!! Apart from the massive, self sustaining wealth gained by a well know Melbourne wholesale Nursery, nothing good came from yuccas apart from every tree loppers worst nightmare.

Curves are back baby!

Curves are back and it has been an interesting phenomena to observe and be a part of. I think garden designs have become a lot more organic in recent times with a larger emphasis on plants, greenery and softening of bold masculine architectural forms as opposed to mirroring sharp form in the garden. Curves have evolved from this into a more organic, softening approach to gardens. Many architects are also incorporating curves into their craft, which we can play on and transpose into the exterior zones to continue the architectural language. Not to mention curves are just sexy!

New trends

Curves, also muted pastels and monochromatic grey palettes are making a surge in the design world along with more plant heavy emphasis in design is continuing to evolve. Design also is moving towards large mass planted spaces with a more eclectic, random plant palette that when done well, highlights and plays on contrasting, yet complimentary form, texture, colour and layering. The evolution of architectural “floating” concrete has also made and continues to make a huge impact on garden designs with cantilevers, forms and unlimited architectural possibilities that we find very exciting to explore and push boundaries on.

When looking for a pool partner.

We work with many pool builders and there are a few requirements that remain high on the priority list when recommending builders to our clients and projects. Attention to detail is key. Not only onsite but when communicating with the clients, other trades and stakeholders and of course us. Delivery of a great final product and after sales service are also very important, however, the most critical element of any pool project is having a pool builder who respects and understands the importance of the landscaper in relation to their craft, their timing, logistical challenges and vast skill sets. A pool is nothing without a stunning garden that surrounds it and as the landscaper will invest tenfold the time on site compared to pool builder, a solid, cohesive partnership with respect and understanding is critical to the success of any pool project. Nothing is worse than a pool builder who only cares about the pool, the whole pool and nothing but the pool.

Current projects

We have many very exciting projects in the pipeline at the moment and too many to choose from but is very exciting to be at the forefront of pool and garden design innovation. We cannot wait to showcase some of the very exciting new ideas we have designed and are soon to be built. I do have a few favourites over the years.

I must admit and our Naroon Road project introduced recycled vic blue and red bricks into pool design and my current home was inspired by this project palette. Our Shoreham and Capri Drive projects also encapsulate my home region of the Mornington Peninsula so well, but so differently that highlights the diversity of the region. Also, our Bayside project really pushed the boundaries of the day, albeit 12 years ago now.

My own pool is also pretty sweet and unique as it is round and out of ground but is still a work in progress for me on weekends and should hopefully be ready to photograph in approximately 6 months time.

Our design projects stretch across the country and with Australia being right up there in terms of world leading architecture and design we are blessed to be working alongside such incredibly talented professionals on world class homes designing world class gardens and pools. As design boundaries continue to be pushed the challenge to evolve and create never ends but what a privilege it is to play the small part we do.