Carmody Groarke’s Two Pavilions in East Sussex reimagine the concept of rural extension, breathing new life into an existing farmhouse without compromising its original structure.
These two distinct additions—a lakeside guest suite and an artist's studio—embody both modern minimalism and a profound respect for the landscape, blending seamlessly with the surrounding environment. The pavilions stand as individual interventions within the landscape, reinterpreting the architectural vernacular with contemporary materials and forms.
The lakeside pavilion, conceived as a hermitage, offers a private retreat. Its oak-lined interior, framing a single expansive view over the man-made lake, contrasts with its raw, board-marked concrete exterior, lending the structure the air of a ruin hidden within the sloped terrain. This interplay between shelter and landscape is further emphasized by its underground tunnel, which offers an almost monastic journey from the main house.
In contrast, the second pavilion—an artist’s studio—draws from the remnants of a crumbling 18th-century farm building. Its resurrection as a sculptural workspace, framed by polished concrete and topped with a weathering steel roof, honors the history of the site while simultaneously pushing it into the future. The gradual encroachment of the marshland further binds this structure to its natural context, creating a sense of timelessness and immersion.
