The project comprises of 2 new pavilions. The siting of these pavilions is alongside an existing large H shaped house. The H shaped house sits on a levelled hill top which forms part of a large estate.
The programme was divided into two, a recreational component including a swimming pool, pool pavilion and tennis court and a utilitarian component to house a garage, store rooms and office.
Context: the existing house has a traditional expression, stone clad with a hipped corrugated iron roof. The house sits central on the levelled hill top surrounded by lawn and driveway.
Concept: create a dynamic relationship between the old and new and to provide an architectural edge to the hill top and in doing so create positive sheltered spaces between the new and old.
The dialog between old and new is set up by contrasting the form and fabric of the new pavilions with the existing house. The new pavilions are flat roofed structures, sheathed in a taught filigree timber skin thereby forming a counterpoint to the massive crenulated bulk of the existing stone clad building.
Two covered walkways provide light connections between the garage pavilion and house. Views beyond are framed and pixelated by the timber screen providing a contrast to the expansive views from the existing house. To heighten the sense of lightness of the timber skin of the garage pavilion it is sandwiched between a concrete floor and roof slab. Steel posts pin the slabs apart.
A language of steel structural elements in both pavilions assist in achieving the desired ethereal nature of the new architecture. Gabion walls are employed as a landscaping element to define, delineate and undersling the new pavilions.