carmody groarke's two pavilions emerge from the grounds of an east sussex rural home

london-based architecture practice carmody groarke has designed two pavilions within the grounds of an existing rural family home in east sussex. accessed only from within the main house via a 40-meter-long, galvanized steel, underground tunnel, the lake pavilion is tucked into the surrounding greenery of the property. made from board-marked, in-situ concrete, the new construction serves as a guest suite, whose interior is lined with reclaimed oak and complete with a single window and jetty at the level of the water.

all images by johan dehlin

the second pavilion, which won carmody groarke the RIBA south east award this year, emerges from the careful renovation of the ruins of an existing farmhouse. preserving the remaining part of the brick perimeter walls, the new artist’s studio is built around it using polished in-situ concrete and insulated, hand crafted corten steel. its steel roof overhangs the existing footprint forming covered outside spaces, while its structure balances on four large windows organized to frame specific views of the surrounding landscape. a polished concrete, flexible interior doubles as a pottery and sculpture studio, and as a place for the clients’ kids to play and camp out in.