Croquet Club

This building is inspired by the beautiful Australian bushland which surrounds it – the graceful native trees, the dappled light and shade, the gently undulating topography. It’s these qualities that inspire the form, materiality and planning for this building.

The building’s form comprises of three timber pavilions – the dining pavilion, the cooks pavilion and the members pavilion. Each pavilion seems to float above the landscape, touching the earth lightly. To accentuate the sculptural form of each pavilion, they are separated by glazed skylights. The pavilions are clad in Australian hardwood timber – this for both its longevity and natural colouring that merges with its surroundings. Timber battens act as sun screens to bring soft dappled light into the dining venue. The interior surfaces of the main pavilion are completely lined in timber ply to form an enclosure for dining that its inhabitants become completely immersed within.

The proportions, orientation and dimensions of windows are tailored to particular views and to reveal internal spaces. The spatial journey through the building from arrival to view is choreographed to increase anticipation before reaching the main dining space. The ceiling gradually peels up to the east to create a framed panoramic view of the untouched hills beyond. Views to the hillside and across the croquet green can be seen from anywhere in the main pavilion and members club.

This building will be sustainable – some sustainable initiatives include; underground water tanks to capture rain water, double glazing to protect against solar heat gain, solar panels to harness and capture the suns energy and the use of FSC certified timber. These initiatives will add to the longevity of a building which will be enjoyed and utilised well into the future.