Located remotely on the rugged Tasman Peninsula, the Koonya Pavilion is recognized internationally as a uniquely Tasmanian response to the great glass houses of history. The horizontal outline of the property consists of four glass walls, and sits in perfect harmony with its stunning natural surrounds.
The dwelling was commissioned to Room 11 Architects as a retreat from the main homestead. Essentially, the owner wanted a great place to write and a pavilion that deeply connected with the natural beauty that surrounds it, which was an alluring brief given the exceptional location of the property. Having worked together on a previous project, the architect and owner had a connected understanding of the building’s intent – a retreat that enables its occupants to be as close to the surrounding elements as possible. Completely open, the pavilion offers unparalleled views and is synced with its environment on all levels.
“This was the second piece of architecture we had undertaken for the same client, and through a growing friendship, and a shared artistic discernment, he placed a lot of trust in us to create a unique and beautiful response to the site,” says Thomas Bailey, architect and director of Room 11 Architects.
The interior has significant mass in off-form concrete, which is key to the thermal performance of the structure, and timber, which adds to the aesthetic harmony of the building. Leading timber supplier Big River Group’s premium ArmourFloor product in spotted gum, used on the walls and floors, works to inject warmth.
A feature of the residence, ArmourFloor is unique in appearance compared to conventional back sawn products. The rotary-peeled lamella opens the grain, giving a distinctive flowing appearance that works alongside the concrete and glass, visually connecting with colours of the environment and enabling further opportunity for the dwelling to bond with its surrounding landscape.
“In maintaining the natural characteristics of the selected wood species, every ArmourFloor sheet offers an individual and natural look, with the species’ unique grain structures being preserved so no two sheets look alike,” says John Lorente, general manager at Big River Group.
Using five-layer, cross-ply construction, Big River’s ArmourFloor is one of Australia and New Zealand’s most stable timber floors. The bottom or base board is the same species as the face veneer, providing superior balance and stability – a quality that enables ArmourFloor to perform to expectations in all geographical locations.
All products used in the pavilion were selected with longevity in mind. Due to the remote location, low-maintenance products that can withstand the exposed site were required.
The breathtaking masterpiece was completed in December 2020 and has been shortlisted for the Tasmanian Architecture Awards 2021.
