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Totara Pavilion

Totara Pavilion

MC Architecture Studio

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Totara Pavilion, a small building that seamlessly complements the existing main house on the street frontage. Read more
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Totara Pavilion: A harmonious blend of functionality and nature, featuring a gym, sauna, and bicycle storage, all wrapped around a majestic Totara tree, with extensive timber detailing and seamless integration into the garden.

Totara Pavilion, a small building that seamlessly complements the existing main house on the street frontage. Situated alongside the boundary in the backyard, this pavilion boasts a gym, rumpus room, bicycle storage with a bike washing area, deck for the SPA, sauna room, and bathroom.  

A standout feature of the garden area is the well-established Totara tree, which the pavilion celebrates by wrapping around its trunk and incorporating a floor-to-ceiling window. The design intent focuses on softening the garden's edge with transparency and extensive use of timber, creating a functional building that exudes a sense of calm. The meticulous detailing and transparency through timber windows, movable timber screen, and pergola seamlessly integrate the pavilion with the garden, featuring a series of decks and small steps. 

Reflective of the build's character, the interiors showcase oak timber flooring, birch plywood ceilings, and timber joinery. The timber shelving design adds complexity to the simple envelope, introducing dynamism through varying thicknesses and cantilevered shelves. With big skylights in the rumpus room, an intimate connection with the Totara branches and filtering sunlight from the north is established, creating a harmonious space that blends seamlessly with its natural surroundings.

Completed
2022
1.3K2h 41m

Awards

2023

Canterbury Local Architecture Award

Te Kāhui Whaihanga New Zealand Institute of Architects

2023
AwardCanterbury Local Architecture Award
OrganisationTe Kāhui Whaihanga New Zealand Institute of Architects

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Professional Reviews

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“We commissioned Max and the team in 2020 to design an extensive renovation for our home in Cass Bay, Christchurch. The home was built in 1966 and required a complete change in layout to improve both its flow and to take full advantage of it’s fantastic location. Max came up with a concept plan that exceeded our expectations and we were excited to commence the project. The communication, both in the design stage and throughout the renovation, was excellent. For example, when insulation issues arose due to the way the home had been built, Max’s team were aware of the latest insulation panel products available. They came up with a solution enabling us to maintain the character of the ceiling beams whilst providing an exceptionably warm home at the same time. One of the real highlights for us is the design of the entrance to our home. It’s corten steel canopy over the door and it’s neolith stone exterior wall creates real impact. We would highly recommend the team at MC Architecture for anyone that is looking to create a home that is not only functional but also visually beautiful.”

Shane and Nicole

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