Vasey Pavilions by Ellul Architecture
Set at the foothills of the Dandenong Ranges, Vasey Pavilions by Ellul Architecture provides a grounded family home in Melbourne’s outer eastern suburbs, carefully embedded within its suburban bush context.
Conceived as a series of distinct yet connected buildings, the residence stands apart from the surrounding volume-built houses, offering a quieter, more considered response to landscape, family life and long-term use.
The home is arranged as three solid masonry pavilions — living, sleeping and garage — loosely gathered around a native garden. Rather than presenting as a single dominant form, the composition sits low and dispersed, allowing the surrounding vegetation to remain a defining presence. Fine glazed walkways and decks link the pavilions, creating moments of transition where garden, light and weather are always close at hand. Timber screens soften these connections, filtering views and sunlight while reinforcing a sense of shelter.
Early collaboration shaped the project in fundamental ways. With the client being a builder, collaborator and friend of the practice, site selection was approached strategically. The chosen vacant block came with pre-approved volume-builder plans, and the new proposal was developed entirely within that existing planning envelope. This decision avoided a prolonged approval process and enabled the scheme to remain adaptable as costs, construction methods and materials evolved.
The project was realised with a minimal set of drawings, relying instead on close communication and trust between architect and builder. Details were resolved directly on site, sketched by hand, discussed during early morning phone calls and refined through late-night exchanges. This working method allowed ideas to be tested immediately against materials and conditions, resulting in a home that feels direct and resolved without excess.
Locally sourced brick, concrete and blackbutt timber form a restrained palette that sits comfortably within the native surroundings. These materials were chosen not only for their durability, but for the way they will age over time, developing patina rather than wear. As the garden matures, the house is intended to recede further into its setting, becoming increasingly entwined with the landscape.
The thickness of the masonry walls is a defining feature throughout the project. Their weight and solidity are most apparent at thresholds, where one pavilion gives way to another. These moments emphasise the individuality of each building while reinforcing their collective presence. Inside, the mass of the walls provides a sense of protection and calm, buffering the interiors from heat, noise and the changing conditions outside.
Internally, the layout responds closely to family life. Rooms are grouped according to use, allowing daily routines to flow easily while maintaining a clear separation between communal and private areas. Oversized circulation areas accommodate the realities of a young family, offering generous movement zones alongside concealed storage. This generosity ensures the home can absorb the mess, noise and activity of everyday living without feeling crowded or compromised.
Orientation was carefully considered to maximise access to natural light and views while preserving privacy. Living areas open toward the garden, drawing greenery into daily life, while sleeping areas are positioned for quiet and retreat. The arrangement also allows rooms to shift in purpose over time, ensuring the home remains relevant as the family’s needs change.
Vasey Pavilions demonstrates a commitment to building simply, thoughtfully and with an eye toward the long term. Through close collaboration, restrained material choices and a clear architectural idea, Ellul Architecture has created a family home that feels both robust and adaptable — one that sits easily within its environment and is designed to be lived in fully, now and into the future.
