Lil Dipper

Leschi pool-and-sculpture garden for an art collector, with commissioned Melchert, Mitchell, and Thomson works framing a modest family splash pool.

Lil Dipper pairs fine art with pool floaties on a Leschi front lawn in Seattle, WA. Best Practice Architecture worked with a dedicated collector who wanted a modest pool for grandchildren and a personal sculpture park framed by laurel hedge and bamboo. Completed in 2023 at about 1,300 square feet of related scope, the project commissions pieces by Jim Melchert, Jeffry Mitchell, and Mungo Thomson alongside pool, lighting, and landscape collaborators.

Prior relationships between architect Ian Butcher and the art world informed a true three-way collaboration among designer, owner, and artists. Dolan Construction built the work; John Hoedemaker, Smith Lubke Engineering, Lighting Designs, Pool Pro, and Perennial Planning joined the team.

As residential landscape architecture adjacent to Best Practice Architecture’s built work, Lil Dipper treats the Seattle yard as gallery and playground at once.

Published project size is listed as 1300 sf. Project status is recorded as Completed 2023. Credits noted on the Best Practice Architecture project page include Contractor: Dolan Construction; Collaborators: John Hoedemaker (owners rep) | Smith Lubke Engineering | Lighting Designs (Landscape and Pool Lighting) | Pool Pro (Pool) | Perennial Planning (Landscape); Artist Collaborators: Jim Melchert | Jeffry Mitchell | Mungo Thomson; Photo Credit: Rafael Soldi. The listing year is 2023.