The brief was to add a new living room space, kitchen and accompanying dining room.
Our inspiration for the project lay in the established backyard which sat slightly sunken from its surroundings. We wanted to have the living room feel like a pavilion in the garden, however as much as it needed to be connected to the garden, we saw this as an enclosed and protected space. Our solution was a brick wall that enveloped the upper level, suspended above glass doors and windows below.
At the northern edge of the space a low level brick ledge forms a seat at the threshold between inside and outside; with the windows slid open, the space dissolves while the mass of the brick wall above provides intimacy and controls light into the opening. We resisted the temptation of continuing the high level northern windows instead favouring the solid wall that gently rounds the corner before peeling away from the façade. The wall finally breaks away becoming a brick screen protecting the glazing to the west whilst accentuating the floating effect of the solid mass. Considered as a space inhabited via both interior and exterior, the pavilion can be both a place of open interaction, and one of repose and tranquillity.
Internally the kitchen is located at the rear of the space with an off form concrete box gutter expressed internally as the division between kitchen and living room. Above is a narrow slotted window framed in steel that provides a glimpse of foliage beyond but more importantly brings light deep into the space. From here the ceiling slopes upwards to the north creating the large volume of the living room.
The material palate is restrained to respond to the budget; natural and white painted brickwork, dark granite floors and off form concrete, reflect a simple and honest application of the materials integral to the ideas behind the project.
This project is part of the HOUSEWORKS [SYD] brand, which is a collaboration between architect and builder which was established by the practice in order to be able to deliver smaller scale projects on time and budget and to provide a streamlined and simpler process for clients
