Macaroni Pavilion
A Nineteenth-Century Heritage in the Heart of Australia
The Macaroni Pavilion represents a contemporary reimagining of the Old Macaroni Factory, Australia's oldest pasta factory. Originally founded in 1859 by brothers Giacomo and Pietro Lucini—who fled Northern Italy to escape the political turmoil of the pre-unification period—the structure stands in Hepburn Springs, Victoria.
Today, this refined extension honors the historical significance of the site, translating it to meet the needs and sensibilities of contemporary Australian living.
The dialogue between past and present, essential for infusing authenticity into the project, comes to life through a meticulous selection of architectural elements. The arch takes center stage, carrying both structural and spatial value: it supports the volumes and, through the interplay of its varying spans, faithfully mirrors the sequence and modularity of the internal spaces.
This geometric dynamism is amplified by the loggia, another archetype of classical Italian construction, here reinterpreted as an en plein air antechamber. A transitional terrace mediates the passage between the solid perimeter masonry and the internal living space, the latter rhythmically defined by full-height timber frames and large glass windows that flood the rooms with natural light.
The key element sealing the accord between tradition and innovation is the material cladding. The choice fell on our brick in a tumbled LimeWash finish, a solution specifically designed to evoke the charm of reclaimed materials and the historic masonry of the original factory.
This finish does not merely clad the structure; it creates a tactile, vibrant surface rich in warmth. The result is a texture that ensures visual and conceptual continuity throughout the project, seamlessly integrating the new volume into the pre-existing landscape.
Through the skillful use of arches and exposed brickwork, the Macaroni Pavilion makes a significant architectural contribution to the Hepburn Springs region. The project demonstrates how the language of Italian tradition can be reinterpreted in a modern key, giving life to an architecture that is both cultured and deeply sensitive to its context.
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