Architecture
So You Live in a ... Pavilion-Style House
The pavilion style injects contemporary houses with mid-century character to create homes perfectly suited to the Australian environment
The pavilion-style house is well-suited to the Australian climate and lifestyle and has laid the foundation for much of the contemporary architecture in recent decades. The design is simple: box-like volumes with expansive glass in consideration of the local landscape and environment, along with open-plan interiors for modern living and an informal lifestyle.
German-American Ludwig Mies van der Rohe – one of the 20th century’s greatest architects – laid the foundations for the pavilion-style house. His radical Barcelona Pavilion for the 1929 International Exposition in Spain influenced and inspired modernist architects in both America and Europe. In Australia, architect Harry Seidler introduced the beginnings of the style in the 1950s and 1960s; and Glenn Murcutt further popularised it in the 1970s and in more recent decades. Their houses paved the way for contemporary pavilion-style homes in rural, suburban and coastal regions across the country, as it is a style particularly well-suited to Australia’s laid-back and outdoorsy way of life.
Pavilion-style Houses at a Glance
Defining period: 1950 to present
Key characteristics: Simple volumes; skillion roofs; glass walls; open-plan living; indoor-outdoor flow; consideration of the landscape.
German-American Ludwig Mies van der Rohe – one of the 20th century’s greatest architects – laid the foundations for the pavilion-style house. His radical Barcelona Pavilion for the 1929 International Exposition in Spain influenced and inspired modernist architects in both America and Europe. In Australia, architect Harry Seidler introduced the beginnings of the style in the 1950s and 1960s; and Glenn Murcutt further popularised it in the 1970s and in more recent decades. Their houses paved the way for contemporary pavilion-style homes in rural, suburban and coastal regions across the country, as it is a style particularly well-suited to Australia’s laid-back and outdoorsy way of life.
Pavilion-style Houses at a Glance
Defining period: 1950 to present
Key characteristics: Simple volumes; skillion roofs; glass walls; open-plan living; indoor-outdoor flow; consideration of the landscape.
SIX KEY CHARACTERISTICS OF PAVILION-STYLE HOUSES
1. Simple, rectangular, box-like volumes
Pavilion-style houses make use of simple volumes, linear geometries and an honest use of materials. Architects design rectangular, box-like volumes that are located in the context of the local environment, and angled to frame views of local surroundings.
In Woodend House (pictured) in Victoria, three rectangular pavilions – a living area, sleeping area and garage – maximise the northern light and capture views of Mount Macedon in the east. Indeed, in pavilion-style houses beauty is found in pared-down simplicity – rather than in added decoration or adornment – as the houses become both independent of and entwined with their natural surroundings.
1. Simple, rectangular, box-like volumes
Pavilion-style houses make use of simple volumes, linear geometries and an honest use of materials. Architects design rectangular, box-like volumes that are located in the context of the local environment, and angled to frame views of local surroundings.
In Woodend House (pictured) in Victoria, three rectangular pavilions – a living area, sleeping area and garage – maximise the northern light and capture views of Mount Macedon in the east. Indeed, in pavilion-style houses beauty is found in pared-down simplicity – rather than in added decoration or adornment – as the houses become both independent of and entwined with their natural surroundings.
2. Low-pitched skillion roof
A skillion roof – also known as a mono-pitched roof – is a single-sloping roof surface. On pavilion-style houses they provide for drainage and allow more light to enter interior spaces (as opposed to a flat roof). Inside, the simplicity, clean lines and contemporary style of a skillion roof foster a sense of spaciousness; outside, the sense of the house sitting lightly on, and of being one with, the land is enhanced.
A skillion roof – also known as a mono-pitched roof – is a single-sloping roof surface. On pavilion-style houses they provide for drainage and allow more light to enter interior spaces (as opposed to a flat roof). Inside, the simplicity, clean lines and contemporary style of a skillion roof foster a sense of spaciousness; outside, the sense of the house sitting lightly on, and of being one with, the land is enhanced.
3. Expansive glass
Expansive glass walls – sometimes known as glass curtain walls – capture natural light and promote ventilation. The windows foster spaciousness, airiness and views of local surroundings, as in this single-level home in Bronte, Sydney. This home was designed to capitalise on spectacular sight lines through the dwelling to the ocean, framing and connecting occupants with the immediate environment.
Expansive glass walls – sometimes known as glass curtain walls – capture natural light and promote ventilation. The windows foster spaciousness, airiness and views of local surroundings, as in this single-level home in Bronte, Sydney. This home was designed to capitalise on spectacular sight lines through the dwelling to the ocean, framing and connecting occupants with the immediate environment.
4. Open-plan interiors
The concept of openness was vital to modernist architecture and remains so for pavilion-style houses. Open-plan interior layouts feel more spacious and luxurious, in contrast to small rooms and cramped spaces. They allow more flexibility and versatility in living patterns as spaces can become multi-functional, more efficient, and changeable over time.
The concept of openness was vital to modernist architecture and remains so for pavilion-style houses. Open-plan interior layouts feel more spacious and luxurious, in contrast to small rooms and cramped spaces. They allow more flexibility and versatility in living patterns as spaces can become multi-functional, more efficient, and changeable over time.
5. Indoor-outdoor flow
Closely aligned with the idea of openness is visual and physical flow. Open plan allows uninterrupted sight and movement through spaces, as does the integration of indoor and outdoor areas. Patios, balconies, decks, courtyards and gardens – linked by sliding and bi-fold glass doors – become outdoor living spaces, and are oriented towards the local environment.
Closely aligned with the idea of openness is visual and physical flow. Open plan allows uninterrupted sight and movement through spaces, as does the integration of indoor and outdoor areas. Patios, balconies, decks, courtyards and gardens – linked by sliding and bi-fold glass doors – become outdoor living spaces, and are oriented towards the local environment.
6. Consideration of the landscape
Pavilion-style houses are designed to sit lightly on the land. This is epitomised by Glenn Murcutt’s corrugated-iron houses, which have been described as “touch[ing] the earth lightly”.
Like Farnsworth House, this pavilion-style house in Hervey Bay, Queensland, levitates just above the ground. It is anchored to the site by a continuous garden wall, while its horizontal span mimics the local environment, capitalising on panoramic views of the bay and headland. Colour is subtle and natural, reiterating the palette and textures of the coastal landscape.
Pavilion-style houses are designed to sit lightly on the land. This is epitomised by Glenn Murcutt’s corrugated-iron houses, which have been described as “touch[ing] the earth lightly”.
Like Farnsworth House, this pavilion-style house in Hervey Bay, Queensland, levitates just above the ground. It is anchored to the site by a continuous garden wall, while its horizontal span mimics the local environment, capitalising on panoramic views of the bay and headland. Colour is subtle and natural, reiterating the palette and textures of the coastal landscape.
Renovating in the pavilion style
This pavilion-style renovation provides a modern and environmentally driven addition to an 1889 Victorian Regency residence in Birchgrove, Sydney. It is deliberately separated from the existing building by a central courtyard to create a private outdoor space. Its expansive glass walls snare sunlight and enhance ventilation, while its low-pitched roof captures water for re-use.
This pavilion-style renovation provides a modern and environmentally driven addition to an 1889 Victorian Regency residence in Birchgrove, Sydney. It is deliberately separated from the existing building by a central courtyard to create a private outdoor space. Its expansive glass walls snare sunlight and enhance ventilation, while its low-pitched roof captures water for re-use.
Nestled into the cliffside, this pavilion-style house was once a modest, dilapidated 1950s beach house. Now, it is an open, light-filled four-bedroom home – flexible, functional and at one with its surroundings.
In the Hawkesbury valley, this environmentally sustainable pavilion-style home is a sanctuary amidst the great Australian bush. The design of the house forges a strong connection between indoors and outdoors, while recycled timber, glass, sandstone and steel, integrate the house beautifully with its natural environment.
KNOW YOUR HOUZZ: 5 quick ways to identify a pavilion-style house
1. Low-pitched skillion roof atop simple, box-like volumes
2. Large expanses of glass walls
3. Open-plan interiors
4. Visual and physical flow between indoor and outdoor
5. A sense of sitting lightly on the land and of being one with the environment
KNOW YOUR HOUZZ: 5 quick ways to identify a pavilion-style house
1. Low-pitched skillion roof atop simple, box-like volumes
2. Large expanses of glass walls
3. Open-plan interiors
4. Visual and physical flow between indoor and outdoor
5. A sense of sitting lightly on the land and of being one with the environment
Hailing from the ideals of modernist architecture, the pavilion-style house was first seen in the late 1920s and 1930s. Internationally, many of its characteristics can be seen in Mies van der Rohe’s Farnsworth House (1945-51, Illinois, US) and Philip Johnson’s Glass House (1949, Connecticut, US).
Farnsworth House (pictured) is one of the most noted examples of modernist domestic architecture. Mies van der Rohe designed a single volume, hovering just above the ground that does away with the trappings of traditional living. He eliminated rooms, walls, doors, interior details, pictures on the walls and even personal possessions to achieve his vision of a simplified existence. Additionally, the transparency of the house immerses the occupant in the surrounding natural landscape, diminishing the barriers between indoor and outdoor living.