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By Dylan Roche | Photography by Anice Hoachlander
When asked to design a well-appointed pool house for a client, Mark Kaufmann of GTM Architects faced a dilemma. “At first, I asked if they wanted an actual pool house that’s enclosed with interior space, but they really wanted an outdoor pavilion,” he explains. They envisioned a covered outdoor area with all the amenities, open on all sides, but still offering some privacy from the street and nearby neighbors. With this in mind, he conceived a pavilion with a contemporary minimalist design that complements the main home, one whose low profile and natural materials would allow it to blend into the green yard it overlooks. “It’s designed to feel like it’s always been there,” Kaufmann says. “Contemporary architecture tends to be more sculptural and open,” he notes, so it was easier to incorporate these modern elements into a yard without breaking up the natural environment.
A simple concrete wall isolates the pavilion from the view of the street, but the other three sides of the structure are open. On one side that faces the neighbors, a wood trellis creates a sense of privacy without closing the side off entirely. Three steel columns divide it into designated spaces, with a kitchen, a dining area, and a sitting area. “Imagine someone living through this moment: cooking, eating, relaxing, having a glass of wine, sitting by the fire, and looking at the pool and this beautiful rolling hill of a landscape,” Kaufmann describes.
Part of the subtle minimalist nature of the design comes from the materials he used. The singular concrete wall is covered with 1/8-inch-thick porcelain tile, and the floor’s blue stone pavers match those on the pool deck—all of which make the pavilion feel like an extension of the home’s modern design and the pool itself. The steel columns are treated with a zinc primer to prevent rust and an epoxy-based paint so they can withstand the elements.
The mahogany trellis adds an element of interest and connects the pavilion with its natural surroundings. “This pavilion uses some cold materials, but what really helps warm it up is that stained wood trellis,” Kaufmann says. “Wood brings a natural warmth. The way we designed it, we have openings every two inches, so what you see through the trellis is green. When your outdoor and indoor space feel connected, it makes a difference.”
All throughout the pavilion, equipment and paraphernalia are tucked away or covered for a clean, uncluttered look. For example, there are shelves for stacking firewood and control panels inside of cabinets. The mahogany fencing extends around the side of the pavilion to hide the pool equipment. The cabinets and countertops are stainless steel, so they hold up to exposure. That way, a poolside pavilion doesn’t become one of those extensions of the home that requires a lot of effort. “This was all designed to be maintenance free—the way we painted the steel, the way we finished the wood, the overall design,” Kaufmann says.
With its understated contemporary aesthetic and its open concept, this pavilion proves that simplicity is often best. Relaxing by the pool shouldn’t feel complicated; rather, it is a place to enjoy the moment.
ARCHITECT: Mark Kaufman, Principal, AIA, LEED-AP, GTM Architects, Bethesda, Maryland. CUSTOM BUILDER: Geoff Kuck, FWI Custom Homes & Renovations LLC, Washington, DC. CABINETRY: Custom Metals of Virginia
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© Annapolis Home Magazine
Vol. 15, No. 5 2024