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An Exercise in Movement – Courtside House by Tom Robertson Architects
Courtside House encapsulates the idea of home as an experience rather than just a place to live. Tom Robertson Architects has crafted a beautiful and dynamic home grounded in flexibility, that encourages gathering, movement and outdoor living.
For a Melbourne family looking for a holiday home, the tennis court at an existing dwelling in Mount Martha on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula was a huge drawcard – and it would become a central feature of a new home designed for them by Tom Robertson Architects. From the street, the façade is understated, with the home largely concealed by a brick wall. It’s a not-uncommon feature among the large suburban houses in the area, but with a little added intrigue – a centralised double-height space appearing above the wall hints at what lies beyond. “Obviously, when you go beyond that wall, things change dramatically,” says Tom Robertson, Director of Tom Robertson Architects.
Entering Courtside House, you’re taken on a journey, with a focused distinction between public and private realms. “We deliberately unravel that sequence of entering quite strategically,” says Project Architect Mitch Mewing. Tom echoes that: “What we love about the entrance interface is that it deliberately contorts you into a tight entry and aperture, offering a nice, compact procedure of coming into the home before then being met with great views.” “It’s a surprise – you wouldn’t pick the views you are met with as you enter the property,” Mitch adds.
Inside, the north-facing home is expansive, with a split-level floorplan and a central courtyard that encourages movement through the home’s multitude of spaces. “We deliberately split all of these spaces through the courtyard in order to bring vegetation back into the building and also to create a little bit of extra privacy,” says Mitch.
The upstairs living spaces inhabit a black, timber-clad box, where oversized, black-framed floor-to-ceiling windows offer expansive views over the tennis court and to the bay beyond. The abundance of natural light makes the space feel bright while maintaining a sense of intimacy. Contrasting with the light timber floors – Made by Storey’s Sesame – and a subtle furnishing palette is the dark, geometric kitchen, which features a dramatic splashback of Sugie Series black tiles from Artedomus. “We needed a kitchen that would absorb light, inject personality and complement the timber on the floor and ceiling,” notes Mitch. “Combined, the timber and the dark kitchen sit beautifully together.”
As well as constant interactions with the outdoors through the central courtyard, there are views of the tennis court throughout the entire house, a concept grounded in intentionality. Tom notes, “The design of the home is all about the interaction between a game of tennis and the opportunity to live in the house, so each room links back to the game of tennis. Fundamentally, it is about flexibility as you move – there are constant opportunities for entertainment, relaxation and activity.”
The refined nature of the timber battens and cladding offsets the robust solidity of the bagged recycled brick walls.
The materiality of the home is defined by balance. Brick and timber feature heavily throughout in a way that counterbalances – the refined nature of the timber battens and cladding (rough-sawn silvertop ash painted in a black stain), for example, offsets the robust solidity of the bagged recycled brick walls (in a contrasting off-white). The overall result is a home that is spacious and exuberant while retaining a sense of intimacy and privacy. Courtside House is an innovative, dynamic home that feels seamless and entirely effortless.
