This glass wall incorporates a pair of sliding doors, together measuring 4.5 metres high and 8.4 metres wide, enabling the interior to open up to a viewing balcony outside. This balcony is made with a lightweight steel structure, and rests on a structural support that is cheekily embedded inside a rock, furthering the impression of a design in tune with its natural surroundings.

The landscape design of the project aims to enhance what already exists at the site. The plants used will reflect the site’s current biodiversity – including on the earth berm over the pavilion’s roof which, with a soil depth of 30 centimetres, will be capable of hosting a wide variety of grasses, flowers, and small bushes. Meanwhile, existing waterways will be used for rainwater collection and irrigation.

In addition to the project’s wood structure, which helps to keep its embodied carbon emissions low, the design incorporates a variety of strategies to also reduce operational emissions. The earth berm and its greenery provide a significant amount of insulation and thermal mass, reducing the effect of temperature changes, while the ceiling is layered in a way that allows natural ventilation to cool the space. Solar gain is kept to a minimum, thanks to the north-facing orientation of the large window, and the roof overhang and surrounding trees that protect the entrance from direct sunlight. The pavilion is designed to be off the energy grid, being provided with power from a field of solar panels that will be installed nearby, combined with on-site energy storage in the basement. The pavilion also makes efficient use of water, collecting both rainwater and greywater for reuse in irrigating the landscape.