Randwick Pavilion by MASQ Architecture -Sydney Home Enclosure Design

Enclosing its new living, dining and kitchen zones, Randwick Pavilion by MASQ Architecture sits as a small brick-sleeved structural gesture, floating above a glass enclosure below.

Surrounded by landscaped garden on three sides, Randwick Pavilion is conceived as its own gesture, respectfully contextual to the existing home, adding amenity and texture through its architectural articulation. The additional proposed real estate houses a new connected living, dining and kitchen zone, cohesively held together with an external brick sleeve. For Ted Quinton and Alan Smuskowitz, directors of MASQ Architecture, inspiration lay “in the established backyard, which sat slightly sunken from its surroundings,” says Ted, but “as much as it needed to be connected to the garden, we saw this as an enclosed and protected space.” He continues, “we wanted to have the living room feel like a part of the garden,” and the solution was “a brick wall that enveloped the upper level, suspended above glass doors and windows below.”

Ted Quinton, co-founding director of MASQ Architects describes how their inspiration lay, “in the established backyard, which sat slightly sunken from its surroundings.”

Encasing the two levels to the rear of the existing property in Randwick, New South Wales, the Pavilion faces predominantly north, and the careful placement of openings and glazing allows for a dappled play on light internally, and also as a mechanism for thermal and comfort control. As Alan explains, “Natural light was a very important aspect of the project, as we were interested in how light was modulated in the space.” He adds, “We resisted the temptation of creating high level northern windows” not only as privacy and light control, but as a gesture to accentuate the floating effect of the solid mass. In a similar vein, wall-mounted up-lights were installed “to create a warm glowing effect in the space to make the room feel light, playing against the heavy weight of the masonry structure.”

“Air conditioning was not used in the project as the windows and doors at low level provide excellent cross-ventilation assisted by the fan in the living room.”

Surrounded by landscaped garden on three sides, Randwick Pavilion is conceived as its own gesture, respectfully contextual to the existing home, adding amenity and texture through its architectural articulation.

Surrounded by landscaped garden on three sides, Randwick Pavilion is conceived as its own gesture, respectfully contextual to the existing home, adding amenity and texture through its architectural articulation.

“We resisted the temptation of creating high level northern windows.”

Further optimising the site and its orientation, sustainability was key to the design for MASQ Architecture. Alan discusses how “air conditioning was not used in the project as the windows and doors at low level provide excellent cross-ventilation assisted by the fan in the living room.” The combination of specific and considered materiality, together with placement and functionality assessment of each element allowed for their core practice ethos to be expressed. He says, “at MASQ Architecture, we believe that the places we live in are of paramount importance to our well-being.” The considered thermal mass loading of flooring, the masonry structure and deliberate placement of glazing are all envisioned with this focus on enhancing wellbeing in mind.

A combination of glass, masonry, natural and white painted brickwork, off-form concrete and dark granite flooring, Randwick Pavilion comprises a humble and textural palette.

“Air conditioning was not used in the project as the windows and doors at low level provide excellent cross-ventilation assisted by the fan in the living room.”

The combination of robust durability also imbues a sense of the solidarity of all elements coming together.

A combination of glass, masonry, natural and white painted brickwork, off-form concrete and dark granite flooring, Randwick Pavilion comprises a humble and textural palette. At the core of the project is connection, both between planned zones, between occupant and materiality, and between the inside and outside rooms. For MASQ Architecture, these relationships are of paramount importance in their work and in Randwick Pavilion, as Alan explains, “when the windows are fully open, the space tends to dissolve while the mass of the brick wall above provides a strong sense of intimacy and controls light.” Fulfilling the client’s brief for a ‘solid’ structure, masonry was the obvious choice, and the exploration of its expression was creative licence for MASQ Architecture to push its boundaries and possibilities. The combination of robust durability also imbues a sense of the solidarity of all elements coming together.

At the core of the project is connection, both between planned zones, between occupant and materiality, and between the inside and outside rooms.

“When the windows are fully open, the space tends to dissolve while the mass of the brick wall above provides a strong sense of intimacy and controls light.”

“Often we don’t need as much space as we think, provided we have a sense of prospect and refuge, we’ll feel content with much less.”

Randwick Pavilion aims to capture unused parts of the site, improving efficiency within its urban footprint. Ted summarises, “a relatively modest addition has expanded the home to utilise the entire site, connecting it visually and physically to the backyard, where “the project has had a much larger impact on the home than its simplicity may suggest.” On reflection to the typical residential response, “often, we don’t need as much space as we think, provided we have a sense of prospect and refuge, we’ll feel content with much less.” Randwick Pavilion aims to capture these philosophies, and in its own gestural way, add a sense of interest and movement to the humble extension.