Houzz Tour: Apple Sheds Inspire a Tasmanian Home
A pavilion house on Australia’s Apple Isle takes advantage of its local history, natural setting and water views
John and Judi Clark’s pavilion house in Tasmania is a delightful twist on the traditional apple sheds of the Australian island state, nicknamed the Apple Isle. Pitched roofs, beautiful wood and expansive natural surroundings characterize these rustic buildings, historically used for packing apples and now often utilized to make cider. The Clarks’ residence echoes its inspiration with its gables and lapped wood siding, which was milled from a tree that had fallen in a storm.
The home, on 40 acres on the long Beaupre Point peninsula, combines country style with modern design. “It is a house that encourages living, resting and exploring,” says project designer Andy Lehman.
The home, on 40 acres on the long Beaupre Point peninsula, combines country style with modern design. “It is a house that encourages living, resting and exploring,” says project designer Andy Lehman.
Living in a striking home with idyllic water views and room for their large extended family to visit is a dream realized for this retired couple.
The house, built in 2014, consists of two pitched-roof pavilions connected by a glass-walled breezeway, with double doors leading to patios on each side.
The house, built in 2014, consists of two pitched-roof pavilions connected by a glass-walled breezeway, with double doors leading to patios on each side.
The longer pavilion is the sleeping area, with two double bedrooms (one en suite), a bathroom, a laundry room, a secluded library and a study. The shorter pavilion houses the kitchen and living areas.
The entry links the pavilions and divides the courtyard. “The entry link has a low timber ceiling, which gives a comforting entrance, along with its heated sandstone floor,” Lehman says.
The entry links the pavilions and divides the courtyard. “The entry link has a low timber ceiling, which gives a comforting entrance, along with its heated sandstone floor,” Lehman says.
From the entrance, the living pavilion opens to a high gabled ceiling. Quality insulation and double-paned windows throughout the house are key to its energy efficiency in the cold climate.
Sustainable wood also figures prominently. “Exposing the pure beauty of timber on face surfaces as well as the bones of the house helped create the most welcoming cluster of buildings,” Lehman says.
Sustainable wood also figures prominently. “Exposing the pure beauty of timber on face surfaces as well as the bones of the house helped create the most welcoming cluster of buildings,” Lehman says.
The goal of the kitchen design was to “create a space not only used to cook beautiful meals for plenty of people, but also to look like a piece of furniture from the open-plan living-dining room,” Lehman says.
A wood-fired oven integrated into the cabinetry helps warm the living pavilion on cold days. Utilitarian stainless steel covers the countertops, and the cabinets are solid wood.
A wood-fired oven integrated into the cabinetry helps warm the living pavilion on cold days. Utilitarian stainless steel covers the countertops, and the cabinets are solid wood.
“The structure of the house is exposed blackbutt hardwood framing,” Lehman says. “Northern Beaches Consulting Engineers were engaged to design the engineering to fit within the architectural design.”
The plywood ceiling is a roof-bracing mechanism, as are some wall components. “All the exposed structural elements and even exposed [siding] act as both architectural and structural features,” Lehman says.
The plywood ceiling is a roof-bracing mechanism, as are some wall components. “All the exposed structural elements and even exposed [siding] act as both architectural and structural features,” Lehman says.
The open-plan living area flows around a free-standing Cheminees Philippe wood stove. “The slow-combustion, wood-fired stove in the library warms the bed pavilion,” Lehman says.
“John and Judi love sitting in the living room, staring out to the water, and lounging in the library-family room next to a warm fire,”
“Family and other visitors enjoy the amazing views from every room, the natural light and ventilation, the general ‘warmth’ of the home and the warmth of the spaces in cooler months,” Lehman says.
In the heat of summer, the many large windows and glass doors open to give a sense of alfresco living. Stainless steel hardware in a satin finish adds an understated touch of modern elegance to the doors.
The design is the result of the Clarks’ desire for the house to complement the natural landscape. The large glass panels connect it to the outdoors. “The two-pavilion design was also due to the site being very exposed to the elements, with the separation of the pavilions allowing for various sheltered courtyards,” Lehman says.
The northern gable end of the sleeping pavilion and both gable ends of the living pavilion are double-paned glass, contributing to the natural light filling the house.
The northern gable end of the sleeping pavilion and both gable ends of the living pavilion are double-paned glass, contributing to the natural light filling the house.
In the bed pavilion, a hallway leads to the bedrooms, bathroom, study and large library room at one end.
“John and Judy love reading on the built-in daybed in the library,” Lehman says.
The master bedroom is another favorite spot where the couple can enjoy a book or stare out to sea.
The master bathroom features a glass-walled and subway-tiled shower. Wooden blinds on the window provide privacy.
A secret door in a tall built-in bookshelf leads to a childhood-dream attic space. “Visiting kids love the attic room, as it is pretty much a secret room. Each time they go in, they feel like they are part of a book they have read or a movie they have seen,” Lehman says. The room is full of toys, including a dollhouse and Legos.
“The house and its two pavilions were based on a modular method of design. The exposed timber structure acts like an exposed skeleton. This enabled little waste material and suitable proportions to each room,” Lehman says.
The project did not come without challenges. In particular, the remote rural area had no telephone coverage.
Living in nature is important to the Clarks. “There are all manner of native animals that come out at night on the peninsula, beautiful sea eagles nesting and sea life at their doorstep,” Lehman says. “It is a special part of the world to be part of and to be absorbed into.”
Project manager: Peter Ventieri of In2Construction Services
Living in nature is important to the Clarks. “There are all manner of native animals that come out at night on the peninsula, beautiful sea eagles nesting and sea life at their doorstep,” Lehman says. “It is a special part of the world to be part of and to be absorbed into.”
Project manager: Peter Ventieri of In2Construction Services
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Who lives here: John and Judi Clark and their dog, Charlie
Location: Lymington, Tasmania, Australia
Size: 2,368 square feet (220 square meters); two bedrooms and an attic bunk room, three bathrooms
Designer: Andy Lehman Design