The project transforms an existing midcentury home In Camberwell Victoria by drawing on elements of the existing architecture to create a new pavilion in the trees. The addition changes the organisation the existing home by creating a new center with a dramatic connection to its natural surrounds.
The site is located in Camberwell, Victoria on a unique L shape block, overlooking a leafy park. The existing architecture is rendered precast at first floor, sitting on external clinker brick planes at its base. Its living areas were originally situated at first floor.
The brief was mostly pragmatic. More space for a large family, better zoning, and importantly to create a better connection to the outdoors but not lose the stunning views of the neighboring parkland.
To resolve this common negotiation, we created a new split level for the living areas and the entry experience was re-routed to this new center which now served as a connecting element to very clear zoning, Kids, Parents, Guests, Living and outdoors.
The feeling of being in the new space is of standing on-top the fence, in total connection with the park, with the split level allowing a lofty ceiling to accept the leafy aspect. The pavilion concept emerged organically from here.
Timber posts form the boundaries of a “pavilion” and support a timber lined canopy overhead. The rhythm of these posts creates a tactility and depth to the edges of the space, modulating the hardness of the glass surface. The external clinker brick planes re-appear to bookend the new interior, suggesting that the living areas are an external space. Simple ceramic pendant lights drape down at each post location and a dramatic fireplace reinforce the verticality of both the space and the neighboring trees.
The space defers to its midcentury roots in its horizontality, honesty in steel connections and braces, natural materials and joinery details. An external venetian blind enlarges the ubiquitous 50’s venetian, and the space is furnished with midcentury but forward looking furniture, and decorated with Australian natives, connecting to its immediate natural environment.
Material Used:
1. Brick. Rfecycled Clinker brick to match existing dwelling
2. Internal Timber. Victoria Ash
3. External Timber. Victorian Ash / H3 Treated
4. Windows. Blackutt Timber
5. Internal Joinery. 2 Pac Factory Finish and Victorian Ash Veneer.
