Stickybeak of the Week: Connected Pavilions Create a Dynamic Home
A series of unique living pavilions are connected around a courtyard for a versatile layout that's intimate yet open
Louise O'Bryan
11 July 2019
Houzz Contributor with over 15 years as an interiors writer, stylist and content producer for digital and print media. Specialising in house tours, room renovations and decorating solutions, my previous clients include Inside Out (Aus), Ideal Home, The Times weekend supplement and Sainsbury's magazine. I never tire from the thrill of discovering a jaw-dropping, inspirational home to feature and having an insight into other people's spaces. Call me curious or just nosey!
Houzz Contributor with over 15 years as an interiors writer, stylist and content... More
Having spent many years as executive expats in Singapore, Robert and Kerry Fisher were keen to return to Australia to experience an altogether calmer lifestyle. Finding a vacant block in the quiet seaside town of Flinders in Victoria, the couple commissioned design director Alishia Minett Johnson, of Minett Studio Architecture and Design, to create their home.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Robert and Kerry Fisher
Location: Flinders, Victoria
Size: 250 square metres with three bedrooms, three bathrooms and a separate studio
Project completed: 2017
Architecture and interior design: Minett Studio Architecture and Design
Awards: Finalist as Rising Star for the Timber Awards
The brief was for a low-maintenance house that would feel intimate and comfortable for the couple, yet open and spacious for visiting guests, while allowing for privacy and plenty of separate spaces. “We came up with the concept of separate living pavilions around a courtyard setting,” says Minett Johnson. “Each pavilion is articulated with its own form and roofline creating interest and moments of in-between as you journey from one pavilion to the next.”
Who lives here: Robert and Kerry Fisher
Location: Flinders, Victoria
Size: 250 square metres with three bedrooms, three bathrooms and a separate studio
Project completed: 2017
Architecture and interior design: Minett Studio Architecture and Design
Awards: Finalist as Rising Star for the Timber Awards
The brief was for a low-maintenance house that would feel intimate and comfortable for the couple, yet open and spacious for visiting guests, while allowing for privacy and plenty of separate spaces. “We came up with the concept of separate living pavilions around a courtyard setting,” says Minett Johnson. “Each pavilion is articulated with its own form and roofline creating interest and moments of in-between as you journey from one pavilion to the next.”
As the site itself did not provide any views, the architect decided to make the inner courtyard the main exterior focus, providing key landscape connections with a breezeway and a private garden sanctuary for the master ensuite. “Connections were important, linking the exterior to interior spaces, and each pavilion with the next,” says Minett Johnson.
With the pavilions designed to overlook each other, the aesthetic of the exterior materials became a principle feature and they were refined to a palette of natural tones. Painted Shadowclad was chosen for the guest pavilion and studio to echo the tradition of weatherboard beach shacks. Spotted gum adorns the master pavilion, while rendered masonry wraps the living barn. “All finishes are low-maintenance, robust and will patina overtime to soften into the landscape,” says Minett Johnson.
With the pavilions designed to overlook each other, the aesthetic of the exterior materials became a principle feature and they were refined to a palette of natural tones. Painted Shadowclad was chosen for the guest pavilion and studio to echo the tradition of weatherboard beach shacks. Spotted gum adorns the master pavilion, while rendered masonry wraps the living barn. “All finishes are low-maintenance, robust and will patina overtime to soften into the landscape,” says Minett Johnson.
These prominent exterior connections are demonstrated in the stunning hub of the home and main living pavilion, where the unique space is highlighted with a barn aesthetic along with rich textural spotted-gum scissor trusses and an exposed cathedral pitch. “The dramatic windows in this space frame the landscape moments and help connect the interior with the exterior,” says Minett Johnson.
Find an architect near you on Houzz, browse images of their work and read reviews
Find an architect near you on Houzz, browse images of their work and read reviews
Although there were no significant features or trees on the site itself, the architect designed uninterrupted windows to catch glimpses of the other pavilions and surrounding landscape.
The interior decor echoes the outdoor views with its earthy palette and natural textures. Furniture with simple, contemporary styling complements the relaxed backdrop rather than distracting from it.
The interior decor echoes the outdoor views with its earthy palette and natural textures. Furniture with simple, contemporary styling complements the relaxed backdrop rather than distracting from it.
To celebrate the dramatic spotted-gum scissor trusses in the main barn-style living area, a whitewashed pine-lined boarded ceiling allows the bold lines to jump out and create an impact.
A stunning fireplace was built to create a centrepiece in the living area. “We sourced Eco Outdoor Baw Baw stone and combined a contemporary fireplace design with this traditional material for a blend of old and new. The interiors are robust and architectural, linking the interior with the exterior materials for a holistic design composition,” says Minett Johnson.
Designed with the requirements of entertainment and with the expectation of visiting guests staying for weekend retreats, the guest accommodation is separated from the living area with an oversize slider that neatly disappears when the house is ‘open’. Minett Johnson explains how the house is “incredibly versatile and adaptable to suit every occasion and scenario”.
Designed with the requirements of entertainment and with the expectation of visiting guests staying for weekend retreats, the guest accommodation is separated from the living area with an oversize slider that neatly disappears when the house is ‘open’. Minett Johnson explains how the house is “incredibly versatile and adaptable to suit every occasion and scenario”.
The windows at each end of the gables allow sunlight to filter into the living and kitchen spaces with the added gift of beautifully framing an ancient gum tree above the kitchen joinery. “This window is particularly striking in the late afternoon when the sunlight dapples across the surface of the floorboards with a dancing celebration of evening calm,” says Minett Johnson.
The outdoor kitchen is connected by a servery window allowing for further amenity, with a traditional stone pizza oven, which the owner labours over creating the most delicious feasts.
The outdoor kitchen is connected by a servery window allowing for further amenity, with a traditional stone pizza oven, which the owner labours over creating the most delicious feasts.
The oak floorboards were selected for their driftwood colouring to complement the moleskin kitchen joinery. “We purposefully decided against a stark ‘white’ kitchen to soften the interior and allow for a relaxed comfort,” says Minett Johnson.
The living and master pavilions are separated by a breezeway to provide a clear aesthetic distinction between the varying architecture and exterior materials. “This covered walkway allows for the physiological decompression of public to a private sanctuary,” says Minett Johnson.
A striking oval bath continues the organic references, and these are further emphasised by the rich timber vanity.
A bespoke dressing area divides the master sanctuary from the restful ensuite, while the Herringbone Cashmere carpet seamlessly tones with the bathroom floor tiles for a smooth transition between the spaces.
One of the main challenges faced by the designer was organising Skype sessions with the clients who were based in Singapore at the time of the build. “There were plenty of emails back and forth, plus the budget also proved a challenge as the client required it to stay within a certain margin,” says Minett Johnson.
“We tackled these budget concerns by carefully mixing and matching affordable fittings for guest areas and high-end fixtures for the kitchen and master suite, as these would be the most-used areas,” says Minett Johnson.
It’s this precise planning and carefully considered curation that kept the designer on track and within budget. This project’s poetic notion of courtyard living within a contemporary aesthetic is a huge success.
It’s this precise planning and carefully considered curation that kept the designer on track and within budget. This project’s poetic notion of courtyard living within a contemporary aesthetic is a huge success.
Your turn
Has pavilion or courtyard living inspired you? Share your thoughts in the Comments below, like this story, save your favourite images, and join the conversation.
More
Craving more design inspiration? You’ll love this Stickybeak: A Bit on the Side for a New Ensuite and Bedroom
Has pavilion or courtyard living inspired you? Share your thoughts in the Comments below, like this story, save your favourite images, and join the conversation.
More
Craving more design inspiration? You’ll love this Stickybeak: A Bit on the Side for a New Ensuite and Bedroom
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Love the idea of separate dwellings surrounding a courtyard. Are there any more photos showing this area from different angles? Really keen to see how it looks.
Hi HU-894962925 if you go to our website www.minettstudio.com.au you will find the project page and all images there. All the best Alishia
What a lovely piece of flexible and creative design.