Owner/Builder of Coastal Builders, Peter Leyden, was working to a tight deadline. His clients wanted their build completed before Christmas, which was just six months away. Having established a strong working relationship on previous projects, there was a high level of trust in Peter and his team to deliver. The project was handed over only days before its holiday period deadline.

‘It was a genuine team effort’ says Peter, who co-runs Coastal Builders on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula with his wife Lauren. ‘Our team of carpenters worked incredibly hard, and our subcontractors and suppliers really stepped up.’

Steve from COS Design had full confidence in Coastal Builders to bring his vision to life, and was great to work alongside throughout the build, attending regular site meetings with Peter and the client.

That effort is evident in every detail of the build, which won this year’s HIA Australian Outdoor Project award. Located just metres from the coast, the site presented a number of challenges.

The project commenced in winter, with heavy rain causing complications during excavation. In response, the team implemented a revised approach - spraying the base and walls of the balance tank, along with the pit for the pool cover - to provide a clean, stable foundation for the steel fixers to begin forming. ‘This kept the project moving quickly and safely,’ Peter says.

The next challenge involved a significant power upgrade, extending hundreds of metres across the property. The brief was clear - do it without damaging the landscape. ‘We had to be careful,’ Peter explains. ‘The driveway, the surroundings - everything needed to stay intact. Boring was the best solution to minimise impact. It took planning and patience.’

The result is a seamless integration of technology and environment. At its centre sits a striking curved pool. It’s paired with a fully equipped pool house, complete with a fireplace and outdoor kitchen. There’s an external bathroom, a freestanding bath, and layered landscaping.

Material selection played a key role in anchoring the project in its coastal setting. Locally sourced stone, Blackbutt decking and crazy paving were carefully combined by COS Design to create a palette that feels both grounded and refined.

Innovation is subtly embedded throughout, including a minimalist pool fence that visually disappears into the structure. Automated pool covers retract out of sight into the bottom of the pool, while smart systems control lighting, heating and cleaning.

The build was completed in under six months - a remarkable feat given the scale and complexity. Reflecting on the HIA Award win, Peter said he was ‘incredibly proud’. He continued: ‘It was a real team effort by every trade involved.’

Materials

• Pool Plumber: TJ Pool Plumbing
• Outdoor bathroom tiles: Whoosh in white from National Tiles.
• Pool tiles: Bisazza Delhi Mosaic tiles from De Fazio; ceramic mosaic in Dark Grey from The Pool Tile Company.
• Stonework (in pool house): Brown walling from Hillview Quarries.
• Decking: 86 x 19mm in Blackbutt from Everist Timber.
• Paving: Porphyry crazy paving from Eco Outdoor.
• Umbrella: Square Eclipse from Instant Shade.