Smokehouse is a communal dining pavilion nestled within a shaded grove, conceived as an open-air shelter for meals, gatherings, and community meetings. Adjacent to an outdoor kitchen, the structure offers protection from the elements while remaining open and connected to its surroundings.
Designed and built as a community project, the pavilion employs modest materials and simple construction methods. A straightforward A-frame wood structure, clad in cedar shake, rests on a concrete foundation that forms two continuous sunken benches flanking a long communal table. The open-ended form invites movement through the space, while framing views of the grove beyond.
Natural light filters through a series of cast glass elements running the length of the ridge, softly illuminating the interior and highlighting the texture of the wood framing and shake siding. A continuous ribbon window at the base of the structure promotes cross-ventilation and grounds the experience to the forest floor.
Together, the sunken seating and open structure foster a sense of intimacy and immersion in nature—an elemental gathering place, rooted in the land and the community that shaped it.
