102 | Kelly Deeks Company bags swag of Landscape awards Alfresco Pools LANDSCAPING from page 101 Distributors of Hide Skimmer Lids and proud of our association with Alfresco Pools By Design Concrete and Paving Award-winning pools One of Auckland’s most knowledgeable and experienced concrete companies, By Design Concrete and Paving, has scooped multiple awards at the Landscapes of Distinction Awards 2022 for outstanding performance using a variety of concrete and paving solutions. By Design Concrete and Paving is led by Peter Robinson and Darren Maxwell with a combined experience of over 50 years in both the paving and concrete industry. They have used their inspiration and innovation to become one of the industry’s most respected and sought after teams in hardscaping. Peter has specialised in large commercial streetscape projects in major cities, rural towns, and overseas for more than 40 years. Darren came to work for Peter straight after finishing high school, and together they worked throughout New Zealand and Australia. With 25 years of industry experience, Darren has established himself as a skilled tradesman, team leader, and operations manager. After going their separate ways for a few years, Peter and Darren came back together in 2017 to form By Design Concrete. The new company grew quickly as customers began to learn the pair were back in business. “Because we cover a lot of different aspects of concrete and paving, we cover a lot of different features of hard landscaping, from large commercial projects to ma and pa’s little patio,” Peter says. “We can help to make our clients’ hard landscaping decisions easier, and we pride ourselves on providing exceptional concrete and paving work to the highest standards that will last for years to come.” By Design Concrete and Paving is still on the upswing and its collection of awards is growing. The company improved its own performance at the Landscapes of Distinction Awards this year, having brought home a gold and two silver medals in 2021, and this year taking out a gold, three silvers, and two bronze medals. Even the company’s junior landscaper Michael Dudley was named a finalist in the Young Landscaper of the Year competition and brought home an Outstanding Achievement award for Innovation. Peter says Michael is a great all-rounder who is always willing to learn, and has moved quickly up the ranks at By Design Concrete Paving by his own wit. He has been promoted since his awards success. By Design Concrete and Paving’s gold award was for its work on the Mangere Refugee Resettlement Centre, which included several different concrete features including concrete structures and a mixture of permeable paving and a permeable pebble and resin surface finisher. “We were able to make a large proportion of the area solid for walking on and at the same time, the concrete is able to breathe. We brought all of these different features together and the resulting aesthetic looks so good.” The permeable product used on this project is Permeable Concrete (Permcon) NZ’s unique two product permeable concrete system, developed specifically for the New Zealand market. Peter and Darren were responsible for bringing Permcon to New Zealand after meeting the guys from Permcon Australia at the international trade event World of Concrete in Las Vegas in 2019. Peter and Darren were supposed to be promoting Firth’s new line of permeable concrete but when they brought Permcon back with them, Firth threw its own product in the bin in favour of partnering with Permcon NZ. By Design projects including a residential driveway on a steep site in Remuera, which used permeable paving and won a bronze medal. “We had to be quite innovative with the pattern so we could hide bond beams within the driveway to stop it from slipping,” Peter says. Another bronze medal was awarded for another driveway and full landscaping project on Toscana Drive. The silver medals were awarded for Tangaroa College, Onepoto School, and a residential project at the multi-award winning Solway House. “Because we cover a lot of different aspects of concrete and paving, we cover a lot of different features of hard landscaping ...” An exceptional customer service experience is also part of the journey when choosing Alfresco Pools. Tim and Karla are personally involved in every part of the process, from initial consultation through to construction and hand-over. “We assist and consult with our customers through every stage of the process. We have a very comprehensive pre-design and consultation system which allows customers to select from a variety of finishes to best suit their style or budget. This ensures there are no surprises for our clients, and means we can provide the most accurate price possible.” Alfresco Pools can advise on the practicalities of customers’ desired pools, and can recommend a pool designer or take plans from a designer or architect and provide pricing and advice. Tim’s eye for detail and can-do attitude are rare and valuable traits in the swimming pool construction sector. As well and new pool builds, Alfresco Pools can help with the complete renovation of an existing pool. “We will consult with you and provide recommendations on the best way to achieve a modern refresh that will transform your property and last for years to come.” “We have a very comprehensive pre-design and consultation system which allows customers to select from a variety of finishes to best suit their style or budget.“ Alfresco Pools won the gold award for a freeform pool up to $120,000 with its lagoon-style, naturally shaped pool in an inner city backyard in Auckland. Tim and Karla’s client wanted a pool that would blend into its surroundings, and at the same time have that premium look. Alfresco Pools achieved this look with a resort-style lagoon shaped pool white pavers around its front and edges, and an amazing raised rock garden with waterfall at the rear, creating a natural backdrop for the pool. “When you walk out to there its feels like a real oasis,” Karla says. “You’re in your backyard in the middle of town but you feel so removed from everything. The rock feature built up at the back and the gentle sound of the waterfall provide total privacy and even block out some of the noise from the street.”
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