Double Take: A Gravity-Defying Glass Spa in an Australian Bushland Backyard

It's not every day you encounter a square of suspended water in the Australian bush. This geometric, seemingly gravity-defying spa stopped my scrolling and demanded a closer look. Located in Dural, Australia, about 40 minutes northwest of Sydney, this luxurious backyard features a spa with four raised glass sides, creating a dazzling focal point. Principal designer Dean Herald of Rolling Stone Landscapes approached the large yard as a luxury resort, forging strong relationships between the pool, spa, house, outdoor pavilion, gardens, and the surrounding bushland.

Herald designed the water-filled square as a key sculptural focal point. Square floating steppers connect the spa and pavilion physically and geometrically, while a bench and lower spa level form a smaller square, adding repetition, dimension, and depth.

The spa connects to the pool through geometry and a part-time waterfall. "When the spa is not in use, water from the pool is pumped into the spa to flow over, providing a water feature," Herald explains. "When heating, the spa water is heated and returned only."

Herald sited the pool, pavilion, and other features to be visible from key view portals inside the house, playing off straight and curved lines. Entertaining was paramount, so the luxe pavilion includes an outdoor kitchen, dining space, lounge, and fireplace, all overlooking the spa.

While the hard-edged spa anchors the design, the landscape softens as it transitions to the untamed bushland covering most of the property. "Lush gardens have been positioned and planted with selected species to soften structural elements while blending into the natural bushland beyond," Herald says.

"At night when illuminated, the spa is an amazing feature and at times can look like a block of ice floating," the designer describes.

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