This stunning freeform pool design creates resort-style retreat on a challenging hillside lot.

Story by Ann Butenas | Photgraphy by Matt Kocourek

Picture this: you’re floating in your backyard pool, LED lights dancing beneath the surface as the gentle breeze flutters through the trees, creating a soothing soundtrack. The sun is setting over your multi-level deck, and you’re thinking this might just be the perfect end to any day. For one Parkville family, this dream became reality thanks to the creative vision of Kurt Kraisinger, PLA, SWD, LEEDAP, and his team at Lorax Design Group.

What started as a steep, unusable hillside has been transformed into something that looks like it belongs in a luxury resort. The homeowners had been dreaming about adding a pool for years, but their sloping backyard seemed to make it impossible. Enter the Lorax Design Group team, who saw potential where others might have seen problems.

“The biggest obstacle with any project is getting the client to trust the process,” Kraisinger said. Luckily, these homeowners had development experience and were ready to embrace a bold vision. That trust paid off in spades.

The secret to unlocking this tricky site was a beautifully curved retaining wall that had to be built before any pool work could begin. This wasn’t just any retaining wall; it’s a work of art, flowing in graceful curves that perfectly complement the freeform pool design. While many contractors avoid this type of complex curved construction, the Lorax team knew it was essential for creating something truly special.

The pool itself is a showstopper. Forget the basic kidney-shaped pools you see everywhere, as this shotcrete beauty flows like a natural lagoon, complete with a cozy tanning ledge perfect for soaking up the sun. The colored LED lighting transforms the entire space after dark, while the multi-level terraced pool deck adds that resort-spa feeling every time you take a dip.

What makes this backyard truly magical is how it works with the natural slope instead of fighting against it. The pool deck cascades down in thoughtful terraces, creating intimate seating areas and offering different vantage points to enjoy the water. Some spots let you slip right into the pool at deck level, while others give you that elevated perch where you can survey your personal paradise.

The design team faced an interesting puzzle: how to maximize both swimming space and lounging area without breaking the bank on that essential retaining wall. Their solution? Every inch was carefully planned to give the family the biggest possible pool and the most usable deck space. The result feels generous and open, not cramped or compromised.

Even the practical details add to the charm. Custom tilework around the waterline keeps things elegant without going overboard, while the traditional chlorine system means easy, straightforward maintenance. The existing deck from the house flows seamlessly into the new pool area via thoughtfully designed stairs that feel like a natural part of the landscape. A relaxing fire pit adds the perfect finishing touch, creating a cozy gathering spot for evening entertaining.

The landscape beds, shaped by those gorgeous, curved walls, create perfect niches for lush plantings that soften the hardscape and add to that tropical resort vibe. Every curve and angle was designed to make the space feel like it’s always been there, growing naturally from the hillside.

“There are really two clients in every project,” Kraisinger noted. “The people who hire you, and the site itself.” By listening to what the land wanted to become, rather than forcing a predetermined design, they created something that feels completely at home in its setting.

This backyard has become the family’s favorite gathering spot, and visitors are consistently impressed by how well everything works together. It’s transformed into the kind of outdoor space that draws people outside and keeps them there.

For anyone facing their own challenging backyard, this project is proof that with the right vision and expertise, your outdoor dreams really can come true, even on the steepest slopes.