A Minnesota Pavilion Gets Cooking, South American Style
Taking over a former play structure's prime location, this three-season retreat brings grown-up grilling to a couple's backyard
Vanessa Brunner
March 16, 2013
Houzz Contributor
Instead of letting an unused play structure decay in their backyard, this Minnesota couple made the most of its ideal location. Architect Marcelo Valdes recycled the playground and used the spot for a new indoor-outdoor retreat with a great view. Set just beyond the main house, the spacious and open pavilion has an authentic South American–style barbecue that can now be used for three seasons out of the year.
Project: 3-season outdoor space
Location: Golden Valley, Minnesota
Size: 24 by 12 feet
Project: 3-season outdoor space
Location: Golden Valley, Minnesota
Size: 24 by 12 feet
Once their daughters were grown, the play structure in this Minnesota couple's backyard became a waste of space. The playset had a prime spot in the yard — toward the back, at the top of a slight incline, with a view of a small valley below.
Valdes had the playground recycled and started this structure from scratch. The main house is nearby, but neither the clients nor Valdes felt like the pavilion needed to match its style. Instead, he designed a subtle structure that blended into its surroundings. The pitch of the roof slopes down toward the house, minimizing the pavilion's visual impact. Large windows allow for transparency in parts of the pavilion. Weathered cedar looks inconspicuous in the landscape.
The clients (one is shown here) love to cook and wanted to bring their recent fascination with South American barbecuing into their new backyard getaway. Valdes, a native Uruguayan, imported an authentic South American grill from Uruguay to install inside the pavilion.
A custom concrete counter poured onsite prevents hot coals from falling onto the wood floor. It's also convenient for holding grilling tools.
A custom concrete counter poured onsite prevents hot coals from falling onto the wood floor. It's also convenient for holding grilling tools.
Of course, the big and bulky grill presented some design challenges. Initially Valdes struggled with putting the heavy brick structure in this light and airy pavilion design. "It was a matter of combining things that are very opposite," he says. "I decided not to blend them but to contrast them."
Putting the grill against the far wall allows it to serve as a single heavy element in the open structure. The contrast between horizontal and vertical lines helps to balance out the space.
Putting the grill against the far wall allows it to serve as a single heavy element in the open structure. The contrast between horizontal and vertical lines helps to balance out the space.
Generous windows create views to the main house and the valley on each side. Valdes avoided double-hung windows, since middle mullions often block sight lines. Instead, seamless windows and screens allow for a clear view.
The windows are actually sheets of polycarbonate that are simply screwed in. During the summer, the clients unscrew the plastic sheets and store them under the pavilion, leaving it open. When the weather cools down, the clients reattach the sheets to keep things cozy.
The windows are actually sheets of polycarbonate that are simply screwed in. During the summer, the clients unscrew the plastic sheets and store them under the pavilion, leaving it open. When the weather cools down, the clients reattach the sheets to keep things cozy.
Simple, industrial lighting fixtures give the interior and exterior a warm glow. Classic Paulistano chairs — designed by Brazilian Paulo Mendes da Rocha — and Brazilian hammocks add to the South American vibe.
Interior barn lights: Seagull Lighting; exterior sconces: Westinghouse
Interior barn lights: Seagull Lighting; exterior sconces: Westinghouse
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