Forget the tennis court, this is the new backyard must have

Forget the tennis court, the basketball court is fast becoming the luxury backyard must have.

Director of Rolling Stone Landscapes, Dean Herald, said a half court like this one his team created for a family in Dural is an increasingly popular inclusion for families with a bit more space to work with.

“I have done three basketball courts in recent months and I have two more on the books. It’s a really popular component for a lot of families now and it’s useful to formalise that concept of the hoop in the front driveway,” he said.

“It is a bit more of a challenge on smaller sites but with something 800sqm to 1000sqm, it’s quite feasible.”

He attributed the growing interest in private half courts to the increased popularity of basketball among teens in Australia and the accessibility of the game to people of all abilities. It’s also an easier element to integrate into a garden design than a completely fenced off tennis court.

Mr Herald recently completed a project for a family at Dural where the court was only partially fenced in to allow for a more open garden style and casual participation by other family members.

“Everyone can play basketball at home,” he said. “You can shoot a few hoops and you are done, whereas with tennis, you feel like you have to play a certain number of games.”

Buy your own basketball court here.

Building designer Luke van Jour from Distinct Innovations said some homeowners are opting for a hybrid model where the basketball court can convert into a half tennis court. And it’s not just for the kids.

“I had a client who had a tough upbringing but had fond memories of going down to the local basketball courts to shoot hoops,” he said. “It had mental health benefits for him.”

But having the space is key. Mr van Jour noted that most councils place limits on hard-to-soft surface ratios, meaning even for larger properties, basketball courts need to comply with requirements.

Basketball Australia reports that 1.3 million Australians play the game, with more than twice as many men as women participating in the sport.

However, property partner at The Agency, Tracy Tian Belcher, says the tennis court still has its place among a certain clientele.

“A lot of people still like to have a tennis court for the prestige,” she said.

Photo: All Things Visual

Klaus Busse would like you to close your eyes and imagine yourself behind the wheel of a Maserati. Picture the GranTurismo, which launched in Australia in 2024. Where do you see yourself? Chances are, Busse suggests, it’s not during the school pick-up or commuting to the office.

“You’re probably on a wonderful road in Tuscany, or Highway 1, or you’re going to a red carpet event,” says Busse, who holds the enviable title of Head of Design at Maserati, the iconic Italian car manufacturer. “Basically, it’s about emotion.”

At the luxury end of the market, the GranTurismo Coupe—priced between $375,000 and $450,000—is designed to transform the driving experience into something extraordinary. For Busse and his team, these “sculptures on wheels” are not just status symbols or exhilarating machines but expressions of pure joy. Their mission is to encapsulate that feeling and translate it into their cars.

“I really feel the responsibility to create emotion,” he says. “We have a wonderful word in Italy: allegria, which is best translated as ‘joyful.’ Our job as a brand is to lift you into this area of joy, perfectly positioned just short of ecstasy. It’s that tingling sensation you feel in your body when you drive the car.”

Even as 60 percent of the world’s population now lives in urban areas, Maserati’s design ethos captures the essence of “everyday exceptional.” Whether navigating city streets or open roads, a Maserati turns heads without being ostentatious or aggressive. “I’ve driven these cars all over the world, and no matter where I go, people smile at me and give a thumbs-up,” says Busse.

Since joining Maserati in 2015, Busse has reimagined and redefined the brand, steering his team through the reinvention of classic models and the transition to electric vehicles. Iconic designs like the Fiat 500, which entered the EV market in 2020, serve as a testament to Maserati’s ability to blend tradition with innovation.

Unlike other luxury car brands, Maserati embraces radical change with new designs every 10 to 15 years. Busse loves connecting with fans who follow the brand closely. He explains that each Maserati model reflects a specific era, from the elegant 35GT of the 1950s to the wedge-shaped designs of the 1970s and the bold aesthetics of the 1980s.

“I often ask fans, ‘What is Maserati for you?’ because their responses tell me so much about how they connect with the brand,” he shares.

Inspired by legendary Italian designer Giorgetto Giugiaro, Busse balances tradition with modernity in his designs. As Giugiaro once told him, “We always do the best in the moment.” This philosophy resonates deeply with Busse, who believes in honouring the past while embracing future possibilities.

Through advances in technology, techniques, and societal trends, Busse ensures Maserati remains at the forefront of automotive design. For him, the creative process is more than just a job—it’s a way to create joy, connection, and timeless elegance.

Forget the tennis court, this is the new backyard must have

Ever wondered what it takes to create a car like the Maserati? Meet the German designer taking on an Italian icon.