Houzz Tour: Tasmanian Pavilion Home an Ode to Local Apple Sheds
A rural home in Lymington complements its surrounding natural landscapes and water views
Tasmanian apple sheds are a sight to behold, a legacy quite unique to Australia’s island state. Traditionally, these sheds were used to pack apples, and are now often utilised to make cider. Beautiful timbers, pitched roofs and expansive natural surroundings are part of what makes them so appealing and full of character. John and Judi Clark are now proud homeowners of a pavilion home on Beaupre Point, Tasmania, which is a delightful twist on these historic local apple sheds. As well as sitting on large acreage and being surrounded by expansive pastures, designer of the project Andy Lehman says, “the lapped timber cladding and roof form are features that draw inspiration from apple sheds”. The cladding timbers are from a tree that had fallen in a storm, which John and Judi had milled.
The home sitting on 40 acres has been named ‘Beaupre Point House’, and was designed to combine country style with modern design. It is 10 minutes away from Cygnet – a beautiful town in the Huon Valley that is full of creatives. “It is a house that encourages living, resting and exploring”, says Lehman.
The home sitting on 40 acres has been named ‘Beaupre Point House’, and was designed to combine country style with modern design. It is 10 minutes away from Cygnet – a beautiful town in the Huon Valley that is full of creatives. “It is a house that encourages living, resting and exploring”, says Lehman.
Living in this striking pavilion house, with idyllic water views in the small Tasmanian suburb of Lymington, is the fortunate reality of John and Judi. The retired couple had the house built in 2014 with the intention of it fulfilling two purposes: being an ideal place for themselves and their border collie Charlie to live in, and for their large extended family to visit.
Beaupre Point House is on a long peninsula surrounded by water on three sides, and consists of two pitched-roofed pavilions, connected by a glass-walled link, with double doors each side leading to the terraces.
Beaupre Point House is on a long peninsula surrounded by water on three sides, and consists of two pitched-roofed pavilions, connected by a glass-walled link, with double doors each side leading to the terraces.
Attention to detail and quality of workmanship were key desired outcomes for John and Judi. Of the two pavilions, the longer pavilion is the sleeping area, with two double bedrooms (one with an ensuite), a bathroom, plus laundry, a secluded library/sitting room and a study/gallery. The shorter pavilion houses the living area, the kitchen, dining and relaxing areas.
The entry forms a link between the two pavilions, acting as the division between a north and south courtyard. From the entry, you can either go to the living pavilion or the sleeping pavilion. “The entry link has a low timber ceiling, which gives a comforting entrance along with its heated sandstone floor,” says Lehman.
The entry forms a link between the two pavilions, acting as the division between a north and south courtyard. From the entry, you can either go to the living pavilion or the sleeping pavilion. “The entry link has a low timber ceiling, which gives a comforting entrance along with its heated sandstone floor,” says Lehman.
The entrance to the living pavilion opens up with a high gabled ceiling. Sustainable timbers, quality insulation and double glazing have been used throughout, which is critical to a cold climate and allows sunlight to be captured and controlled.
“Exposing the pure beauty of timber on face surfaces as well as the bones of the house helped create the most welcoming cluster of buildings,” says Lehman.
“Exposing the pure beauty of timber on face surfaces as well as the bones of the house helped create the most welcoming cluster of buildings,” says Lehman.
The intention with the design of the kitchen was to “create a space not only used to cook beautiful meals for plenty of people, but also to look like a piece of furniture from the open plan living/dining room,” says Lehman. A wood-fired oven was fully integrated into the joinery, and helps warm the living pavilion on colder days. Utilitarian stainless-steel surfaces are utilised for food preparation, and solid timber used for the furniture.
“The structure of the house is exposed blackbutt hardwood framing with steel plate knuckles,” says Lehman. “Northern Beaches Consulting Engineers were engaged to design the engineering to fit within the architectural design,” he adds. The plywood ceiling is a roof bracing mechanism, as are some wall components. “All the exposed structural elements and even exposed cladding act as both architectural and structural features,” says Lehman.
The open plan flows well with the kitchen, dining and living zones, utilising a freestanding Cheminees Phillipe wood fire to help furnish the pavilion. Both pavilions are fully insulated and each has its own wood fires for winter warmth.
“John and Judi love sitting in the living room staring out to the water and lounging in the library/family room next to a warm fire,” says Lehman.
“Family and other visitors enjoy the amazing views from every room, the natural light and ventilation, the general ‘warmth’ of the home and the warmth of the spaces in cooler months,” says Lehman.
In the heat of summer, the many large windows and glazed doors can be thrown open, creating shaded alfresco living. Fewer windows are opened in the colder months. “In winter, the wood-fired oven in the kitchen warms the entire living pavilion, and the slow combustion wood-fired stove in the library warms the bed pavilion,” says Lehman.
Satin stainless-steel door handles and hinges add an understated touch of modern elegance to the space.
Satin stainless-steel door handles and hinges add an understated touch of modern elegance to the space.
The design of the house is the result of John and Judi wanting the home to complement the natural landscape. The large glass panels connect the house to the outdoors. “The two-pavilion design was also due to the site being very exposed to the elements, with the separation of the pavilions allowing for various sheltered courtyards,” says Lehman.
The northern gable end of the sleeping pavilion and both gable ends of the living pavilion are double glazed, adding to the natural light that fills the house.
The northern gable end of the sleeping pavilion and both gable ends of the living pavilion are double glazed, adding to the natural light that fills the house.
On entering the bed pavilion, a corridor angled to the roof/ceiling takes you along to various bedrooms, a study, a bathroom and the large family/library room to one end.
“John and Judy love reading on the built-in daybed in the library,” says Lehman.
The bedroom is another favourite reading spot, where they can enjoy a book or stare out to sea. Despite the incredible final product, the Beaupre Point House project did not come without its challenges. Undertaking this project in a remote rural setting made things particularly difficult, due to there being no phone coverage in the area.
The requirements for the ensuite were to include a shower, toilet and basin in a simple sized room, with subway tiles and a controlled view to outside.
A secret door in a tall built-in bookshelf opens into a childhood-dream attic space. “Visiting kids love the attic room, as it is pretty much a secret room. Each time they go in, they feel like they are part of a book they have read or a movie they have seen,” says Lehman. The attic room is full of kids’ toys, a dollhouse and Lego.
“The house and its two pavilions were based on a modular method of design. The exposed timber structure acts like an exposed skeleton. This enabled little waste material and suitable proportions to each room,” says Lehman.
Living in nature is important to John and Judi. “There are all manner of native animals that come out at night on the peninsula, beautiful sea eagles nesting and sea life at their doorstep,” says Lehman. “It is a special part of the world to be part of and to be absorbed into.”
TELL US
What do you like about this Tasmanian pavilion home? Let us know in the Comments.
What do you like about this Tasmanian pavilion home? Let us know in the Comments.
Who lives here: John and Judi Clark and their dog, Charlie
Location: Beaupre Point, Lymington, Tasmania
Year built: 2014
Size: 220 square metres; 2 bedrooms with attic bunk room, 3 bathrooms, study and family/library room
Designer: Andy Lehman Design
Project Manager: Peter Ventieri