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Timber Monogamy pavilion: A sustainable landmark in Papamoa

12 May 2025

The Timber Monogamy pavilion, designed by Gregory Mann, is a remarkable addition to the landscape at Summerhill, Papamoa, where it serves as a striking landmark for downhill mountain biking enthusiasts. Positioned at the start line of the track, the pavilion provides shelter from the sun, enhancing the ceremonial atmosphere on race days while offering a restful space for both participants and spectators.  

Commissioned by Summerhill Timbers Limited, which provided the locally sourced Cypress timber, the pavilion is stained using Resene Woodsman Natural, highlighting the beauty of the wood against the landscape. The pavilion celebrates both sustainability and functionality, becoming a memorable feature of the prominent ridgeline site. 

Gregory’s design embraces the concept of "Timber Monogamy," committing exclusively to timber, and in doing so, it makes a bold statement about sustainable building practices. Timber, as a renewable and environmentally friendly resource, was chosen not just for its aesthetic qualities but also for its positive environmental impact. This exclusive use of timber is the result of a comprehensive sustainability assessment, making it a crucial element in the pavilion’s design. It exemplifies how, by embracing timber's natural beauty and versatility, we can create something both functional and environmentally conscious. 


Sitting against the stunning landscape, Gregory’s pavilion is stained completely in Resene Woodsman Natural.  

When it came to selecting the colour scheme, Gregory’s goal was to highlight both the beauty of the timber and the scenic surroundings. The entire structure is coated in Resene Woodsman Natural, a wood stain that enhances the timber’s natural beauty while providing essential protection against the elements. Accents in Resene White were strategically used to create a striking contrast against the rich browns of the timber and the greens and blues of the hillside, sky and ocean. This choice not only adds visual appeal but also draws attention to the innovative timber-only jointing system, a central design feature. The white highlights the craftsmanship of these joints, demonstrating Gregory’s design and the intricate engineering behind the pavilion’s structure. 

The design of the Timber Monogamy pavilion wasn’t without its challenges. Committing exclusively to timber required innovative solutions, particularly in the creation of a reliable jointing system. Inspired by traditional Japanese woodworking techniques, Gregory faced the task of adapting these time-honoured methods to meet modern engineering standards. The result is a custom joint system that blends half-lap and wedge joints, carefully refined for both strength and aesthetic appeal. 


The innovative timber-only jointing system on the pavilion is painted in Resene White, contrasting against the pavilion stained in Resene Woodsman Natural.  

To ensure precision and consistency, advanced technology was employed, including a 3-axis CNC machine to batch process the joints. This combination of cutting-edge technology and traditional craftsmanship has created a pavilion that is not only structurally sound but also a beautiful testament to sustainable design. 

The Timber Monogamy pavilion is more than just a functional space; it’s a symbol of sustainable design and craftsmanship. The striking white accents against the natural timber, coupled with the stunning backdrop of the Papamoa hillside, make this pavilion a memorable feature of the landscape – a true testament to the power of thoughtful, sustainable design. 

design and images Gregory Mann, University of Auckland 

Published: 12 May 2025