Bordering a working farm in the beautiful East Anglian landscape, the Pavilion house by Norm architects embraces a sense of tranquility and simplicity, offering the opportunity to live in a way that is aligned with nature.
The delicate and minimized steel construction, alongside wooden window frames and vertical cladding in local larch, correspond to the existing structures on-site in a harmonious meeting of old and new buildings. The exterior windows and fascia boards are in a dark carbon grey, with the discrete nature of the metal allowing the wooden character of the house to remain dominant. The house sits on a podium of dark basalt, which serves as the foundation of the house. A shadow gap between the land and the plinth has the visual effect of raising the house above the surrounding land.
An existing annex was extended to provide a studio. Within this additional space is a music room grand piano, TV area, and quiet workspace. A sauna with views over the fields has also been added to the property. The windows have a rhythm that relates to the fenestration of the main house and a simple L-shaped shingle border.
Internally the house is open plan in nature and is divided into different functional zones with freestanding elements. The only exception is a central brick core with a wood-burning stove which divides the living room from the larger kitchen and dining area.
In deference to the nature that surrounds, colour is not added to interior walls. The bathrooms feature darker colours that emphasize a feeling of sanctuary and separation from the countryside with views through carefully positioned windows. Polished concrete adds a tactile sensation to the room.
Central to the character of the scheme was to half the size of the existing barn. At 5000 sqm it was determined the barn was dominating the site and out scale within the context of a residential, as opposed to agricultural use. The remaining barn left standing was repurposed to include several solar panels for electricity generation and a rainwater collection system. Removing half of the barn also serves to reveal new and wonderful views from the house as well as the newly built studio in the annex.
