A compact residential adaptive reuse turns a Brookline garage into a concrete pavilion with a rooftop deck and garden lounge
Project Overview
As a adaptive reuse, the project is documented here through its site response, spatial organization, material strategy, and architectural details.
In Brookline, Massachusetts, Hisel Flynn Architects led an adaptive reuse of a backyard garage, working with G2 Collaborative to create a multi-use pavilion for entertaining, wellness, and outdoor living. Built behind a traditional Victorian house, the new concrete volume is directly linked to the home by a wood bridge that extends from the kitchen and dining area to the rooftop deck.
The garage pavilion showcases a modern concrete design with a wooden bridge connecting to the house.
The lower level remains a functional garage with two-car parking and space for bikes, games, and storage, while a sauna, steam room, and shower introduce a small spa program. Above, an Ipe-finished roof deck integrates built-in seating, dining areas, planters, and a custom 7-foot hot tub recessed into the roof. For broader context, see the adaptive reuse architecture, and browse related work in residential architecture architecture.
An aerial perspective reveals the rooftop deck designed for relaxation and entertainment.
Site and Urban Context
Set discreetly behind a Victorian residence, the pavilion occupies a compact lot and frames a planted courtyard. Recycled granite curbs, moss, thyme, and bamboo soften the concrete perimeter. A retaining wall doubles as seating around a Corten steel fire pit, and a granite block gathers rainwater from a chain drain to form a birdbath—small moves that lend civic clarity to this private outdoor room. For related landscape-forward projects, see Ray Garden and our garden tag.
The seamless connection between floors highlights the thoughtful landscaping integration.
Adaptive Reuse and Design Concept
The project repositions a utilitarian garage as a social annex to the house. A simple concrete mass becomes an outdoor living pavilion, asserting a clear dialogue between old and new: the Victorian profile in front and a pared-back, modern box behind. The bridge from the kitchen underscores everyday continuity, while steel stairs with Ipe treads stitch the roof terrace to the ground-level garden, extending circulation across both levels. For typological continuity and references, browse projects under pavilion.
Spatial Organization
Ground level: two-car parking with additional room for bikes, games, and storage; wellness zone comprising a sauna, steam room, and shower. Roof level: Ipe deck with built-in seating, dining, and lounge niches; planters organize zones; a 7-foot hot tub is recessed beside the primary seating areas. Vertical links: steel stair with Ipe treads connects deck and courtyard; a wood bridge links the deck directly to the home’s kitchen and dining spaces.
A detailed view of the hot tub integrated within the rooftop deck.
Materials and Facade
The pavilion relies on a robust concrete shell paired with steel elements and Ipe wood at the deck and stair treads. Landscape materials include recycled granite curbs, a granite block for rainwater collection, and a Corten steel fire pit. Plantings—moss, thyme, and bamboo—temper the hardscape and edge conditions.
Light, Climate, and Atmosphere
The open-air roof deck optimizes sun exposure for daytime use, while the recessed hot tub and built-in seating consolidate program at the roof’s edge. Evening lighting and the fire pit reinforce year-round use, balancing the coolness of concrete with a warmer tactile landscape.
The evening view captures the ambiance created by the light and landscape.
Design Highlights
Wood bridge extends from the kitchen/dining area to the rooftop deck, integrating daily circulation with outdoor living. Custom 7-foot hot tub recessed into the roof adjacent to seating zones. Sauna, steam room, and shower add a compact wellness program at ground level. Recycled granite curbs define planted beds with moss, thyme, and bamboo. Chain-drain rainwater directed to a granite block birdbath. Corten steel fire pit with an integral seating wall. Steel stair with Ipe treads providing a direct link between deck and courtyard. Ipe-finished rooftop with built-in seating, dining, and planters planned for gatherings.
Key Facts
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Project | This Garage Adaptive Reuse with a Rooftop Hot Tub and Garden Lounge |
| Architect | Hisel Flynn Architects |
| Location | Brookline, Massachusetts, USA |
| Year | — |
| Status | Built |
| Program | Parking, recreation, garden, wellness (sauna/steam/shower) |
| Main Materials | Concrete, steel, Ipe wood, recycled granite, Corten steel |
| Keywords | adaptive reuse, garage pavilion, rooftop deck, outdoor living, Brookline |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the project located?
The pavilion sits behind a traditional Victorian house in Brookline, Massachusetts, USA.
Who designed the project?
Hisel Flynn Architects led the architecture, with landscape design by G2 Collaborative.
How does the pavilion connect to the house?
A wood bridge extends from the kitchen and dining area directly to the rooftop deck, creating an everyday link between house and pavilion.
What amenities are included?
The lower level provides two-car parking with storage, plus a sauna, steam room, and shower. The rooftop features an Ipe deck with built-in seating, dining areas, planters, and a recessed 7-foot hot tub.
