CONQUERING CHALLENGES
Crafting an Entertainment Oasis: Inside an Exceptional Backyard Pavilion
By Jill Odom
WHEN AN EXISTING MAINTENANCE CUSTOMER OF GROUND WORKS LAND DESIGN, BASED IN CLEVELAND, OHIO, had a swimming pool initially installed, they didn’t consider the surrounding landscape. With four children and frequent guests over, they quickly realized they wanted to maximize their backyard with a large-scale entertainment space.
They turned to Ground Works to help design and install an
outdoor structure with all the bells and whistles while preserv- ing clear views of the pool from inside the house. The design process took two to three months, and the installation took four more months. “The most challenging aspect was aligning the new patio space with the existing pool deck and developing a cohesive drainage plan that integrated all the new features,” says Kevin Turk, a designer with Ground Works Land Design. Ground Works received a Silver Award of Excellence for the
overall project and an Exceptional Feature Award for the pavil- ion they installed, including the kitchen and seating area. “Earning an Exceptional Feature Award for this project is a
significant recognition of hard work, creativity, and outstand- ing performance,” Turk says. “To us, it symbolizes a validation
Enter for the
Awards of Excellence here.
of the effort, skill, and innovation invested in the project. It means that the work has not only met high standards but has also stood out in some meaningful way, making an impact or bringing something valuable to the table. Such an award would also reflect the successful collaboration, problem-solv- ing, and dedication that contributed to the project’s success.” The clients wanted a covered space that would maximize their usage year-round, including fall. This pavilion incorporat- ed a fireplace, ceiling heaters, an outdoor kitchen space and a dedicated firepit area. The original design of the pavilion had a lower pitch, but they quickly realized it would block views, so they re-engi- neered the standard beam height of the outdoor structure. They also had to consider all local municipality building codes and to ensure is would pass all the inspections. “Incorporating the fireplace was the most challenging
aspect for a couple of reasons,” Turk says. “First, the height of the structure posed difficulties, especially due to the adjustments needed for the existing windows in the house, ensuring that they would not interfere with the design.” The pavilion also features a black metal roof, which was
selected at the suggestion of the design team. “This change aims to create contrast and clearly define the
outdoor space as a separate living area or oasis,” Turk says. During installation, the team had to take pool filtering lines
into consideration when excavating the project site. Their extensive site analysis before breaking ground allowed them to avoid any issues with these swimming pool lines. The framing and roofing of the pavilion took about a week
to complete but the total process took about four weeks, including all the electrical and plumbing work. TE
36 The Edge //March/April 2025
Photos: Sonny Lindsey
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