Kenmore Pavilion: A Sustainable Pavilion House Design in Australia That Revives a 1960s Cottage

Doing More with Less: A Philosophy of Regenerative Design

In the leafy Brisbane suburb of Kenmore, CARD Architects have delivered a strikingly simple yet elegant response to housing transformation with the Kenmore Pavilion. The project exemplifies a refined approach to sustainable pavilion house design in Australia, breathing new life into a 1960s workers' cottage while preserving its post-war bones and reconnecting the home to its surrounding landscape.

Embracing Climate and Context

Rather than opting for demolition, the design focuses on adaptive reuse—maximizing the potential of the existing structure. Set against Queensland’s mild subtropical climate, the architectural gesture is both climatic and contextual. The new pavilion is designed as a semi-outdoor, weather-protected space that extends the home’s usable footprint. It provides a comfortable setting for dining, cooking, socializing, and enjoying garden views, dissolving the boundaries between interior and exterior in a distinctly Australian way.

A Contemporary Deck Rooted in Heritage

Taking cues from Queensland's rich architectural legacy, the pavilion reinterprets the traditional timber deck through modern detailing and proportion. Natural timber cladding allows the structure to blend into its verdant surroundings, making it feel more like a garden extension than a new addition. The warmth and tactility of the wood celebrate local craftsmanship and further reinforce the pavilion’s identity as a communal, transitional space that encourages outdoor living.

Reorganizing the Home for Light and Life

The broader renovation reorganized the home’s spatial logic. The living areas were repositioned to the north to capture light and warmth, while the bedrooms shifted southward to enhance privacy and comfort. A continuous joinery wall subtly divides these zones while integrating core domestic functions. This clever design houses the kitchen, fireplace, bookshelf, entry nook, and storage within one visually seamless element, with concealed doors leading to the private areas of the home.

Reclaimed Materials and Circular Thinking

At the heart of the Kenmore Pavilion is a deep commitment to sustainability. A wide array of reused and repurposed materials gives the project both character and conscience. The terracotta floor in the pavilion was salvaged from the original house. Tiles and timber were sourced from leftover construction projects and neighboring developments. Garden beds and planter boxes were constructed from recycled bricks and beams, and even the chicken coop was assembled from discarded cedar and framing timber. These sustainable choices avoid unnecessary landfill waste and extend the narrative of the original house through contemporary construction.

Energy Efficiency at Its Core

A 6.6 kW solar panel system now powers the home, signaling a long-term investment in renewable energy. This, combined with passive design principles such as orientation, material selection, shading, and natural ventilation, minimizes the environmental impact while maximizing user comfort.

A Pavilion That Connects and Adapts

The final design delivers more than just additional space—it fosters interaction, leisure, and ecological awareness. The pavilion acts as a multi-use zone: it can host family lunches, serve as a quiet retreat, or accommodate a lively evening gathering. It is at once domestic and open-ended, capturing the essence of Australian outdoor living while remaining deeply connected to its site, its climate, and its time.

The Kenmore Pavilion is a thoughtful, intimate project that demonstrates how sustainable pavilion house design in Australia can deliver powerful results through sensitivity, reuse, and spatial intelligence. It stands as an understated model of what domestic architecture can be when driven by care, not consumption.

All photographs are works of Andy Macpherson