Garden Pod Over the Pond

Location: Newport, VIC
Project type: Backyard studio

Tucked into the back corner of a renovated Newport home with a heritage overlay, this 12m² garden pod reimagines what a “studio” can be.

The site already featured a natural pool and layered coastal planting. Rather than sitting beside it, the new structure cantilevers over the water, hovering lightly at the edge and turning a small footprint into a spatial experience.

Clad in deep green tiles - echoing the main house - the pod reads as a garden object or sculpture. Subtle. Reflective. Almost camouflaged among foliage.

Inside, the mood shifts.

High-quality plywood lines the walls and ceiling. Cork flooring softens the space. Built-in joinery. A flexible, warm timber-lined room ready to adapt - office, retreat, gym or guest space.

Full-width sliding glazing opens completely to the pond. On summer days, it becomes a shaded pavilion. In winter, it captures light and frames the garden.

Located within a heritage overlay and constrained by a rear sewage easement, the project required careful positioning, structural design and coordination with Greater Western Water. A concealed steel portal frame allows uninterrupted openings while maintaining the illusion of lightness.

This project reflects a broader approach to renovation design in Hobsons Bay: thoughtful siting, durable materials for coastal exposure, and small interventions that dramatically elevate everyday living.

Considering a garden studio or home renovation in Newport or Williamstown?

Explore our Creating Your Home service to see how early architectural thinking can transform your site.