Project at a glance
| Location | Rescue, CA |
|---|---|
| Project | New pool, spa pavilion, decks and putting green |
| Setting | Newer single-story home on a rising lot, looking out over oaks and rolling hills |
| Pool shape | L-shaped, with a long main run and a short arm beside the pavilion |
| Wall | Stacked stone retaining wall on the uphill side, with three copper scuppers |
| Bench | Two-tier stone bench built into the wall at the water’s edge |
| Deck | Composite deck that runs out over the pool edge on the house side |
| Spa | Hot tub set into a raised composite surround under a modern pavilion |
| Interior | Dark blue finish |
| Putting green | Synthetic green with several cups, edged in boulders and river rock |
| Services | Pool construction · Pool design · Patio covers · Synthetic turf · Outdoor lighting · Outdoor design |
A hillside lot in Rescue where an L-shaped pool runs along a stone wall, between a spa pavilion and a backyard putting green.
Project overview
This Aster Ln home is a newer single-story house in Rescue, on a lot that rises behind the house toward a fence line of oaks. Past the fence, the land opens onto rolling hills and woodland.
The ground climbs on one side of the yard, so whatever went there had to hold back the bank. The yard also needed room around the pool for a covered spa and a putting green.
What the pool needed to do:
- Hold back the rising bank on the uphill side
- Turn that retaining wall into seating and a water feature
- Bring the house side of the pool right up to a deck
- Tie into a covered spa area at one end
- Leave a clear path out to the putting green
See it in motion
Watch the copper scuppers running and take in the putting green on this Aster Ln build in Rescue.
How the design answered it
A wall that holds the hill
A stacked stone retaining wall runs the uphill side of the pool, holding back the planted bank above the water.
Water from the wall
Three copper scuppers set in the stone pour into the pool, so the wall that holds the slope also brings sound to the yard.
A deck over the water
On the house side, a composite deck runs right out over the pool edge, with a band of tile visible below it.
Spa under cover
A hot tub sits in a raised composite surround under a dark-framed pavilion at one end of the pool, with steps leading up to it.
Details built into the hillside wall
The retaining wall on the uphill side carries more of this yard than any other single piece.
Copper scuppers
Three copper scuppers set in the stacked stone pour arcs of water into the pool from just below the cap.
Stone bench
Two capped tiers step down the wall to the waterline, giving seating right at the pool's edge.
Stacked stone face
Pale stacked stone in thin courses clads the wall from the planted bank down to the waterline.
Wall cap
Thick concrete caps run along the top of the wall, finishing it and holding back the soil of the bank above.
Overhanging deck
Across from the wall, the composite deck projects past the pool edge, so the water appears to run beneath it.
Pool arm
Beside the pavilion, a short arm of the pool turns the corner, edged in travertine with river rock along its side.
Project gallery
Each photo below was taken at this Aster Ln pool and putting green build in Rescue.
The pool, scuppers and overhanging deck at dusk, with the putting green beyond · 1 / 10
Questions about this build
Can a putting green go next to a pool?
Yes, with a path or planting between them so stray balls stay out of the water. On this Rescue build the green sits past the end of the pool.
Can a deck hang over the edge of a pool?
Yes. A deck can be framed to project a short way past the pool wall. The water then seems to run underneath it, which softens the edge.
Can a retaining wall double as seating?
Yes. Building tiers into the wall at the pool edge gives people a place to sit with their feet near the water, without adding furniture to the deck.
Can a hot tub sit under a pavilion?
Yes. A raised surround and a cover give the hot tub shade and some shelter from the weather. Steps built into the surround make it easy to climb in.
Why choose an L-shaped pool?
An L shape lets one pool serve two areas. The long run suits swimming, while the shorter arm can reach toward a seating area or spa.
Is composite decking a good choice around a pool?
Composite boards resist moisture and do not need staining like wood. They work well beside water, though darker colors get warm in full sun.
What are river rock joints between pavers?
Bands of smooth stones set in the gaps between large pavers. They let rain soak through and give a flat paved path a little texture.
What goes under a backyard putting green?
A compacted, well-draining base, so rain passes through instead of pooling on the surface. The turf is then laid and shaped over it to create the putting surface.
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Financing for qualified homeowners
We work with Lyon Financial: fixed rates, terms up to 30 years and no prepayment penalties.
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