A round fire pit surrounded by large boulders is a cozy place to gather. The giant fish tank is a cool centerpiece to the backyard, which features natural-inspired walkways and stairs leading throughout space.

A giant fish tank makes a stunning focal point, where the grand rear terrace steps down onto an expansive lawn. Not only does it provide a useful transition for the grade change, but it also bridges the home’s interior with the outdoors. The lit tank, with its hand-painted tiles and colorful koi, provides a whimsical dash to an otherwise muted landscape — and nods to the homeowner’s impressive collection of '60s Pop Art inside.

A giant fish tank makes a stunning focal point, where the grand rear terrace steps down onto an expansive lawn. Not only does it provide a useful transition for the grade change, but it also bridges the home’s interior with the outdoors. The lit tank, with its hand-painted tiles and colorful koi, provides a whimsical dash to an otherwise muted landscape — and nods to the homeowner’s impressive collection of '60s Pop Art inside.

Lighting is crucial to the design because the grounds are used just as much — if not more — at nighttime as during the day. LED lights illuminate a series of drums where buffets are laid out on the main terrace, while a series of light-display panels in the wall behind them contain video screens that can mimic fish swimming in the ocean, or other scenes to enliven the background for big gatherings. Steps and pathways glow in the dark, along with intimate living and dining areas. In this respect, designing these spaces with furnishings and light placement required an approach similar to a home’s interior.