Home Pavilion by MRTN Architects

Anchored by a central pavilion, this suburban home by MRTN Architects caters to a socially active family, facilitating connections between spaces and a harmonious blend of indoor-outdoor living, all while ensuring privacy.

Growing up in a Joseph Eichler house in San Francisco instilled in one of the homeowners an appreciation for mid-century modernist forms and expansive, open spaces. Realising that Melbourne is a far cry from California, the owners sought not to replicate the Eichler style but rather draw inspiration from it for their home’s spatial planning and material palette. MRTN Architects interpreted this vision by creating a design with exposed concrete beams and wooden rafters, complemented by brickwork and natural timber linings. Like Eichler’s, the home features linear forms that invite natural light into its interiors and blur the boundaries between indoor and outdoor spaces.

The home features linear forms that invite natural light into its interiors and blur the boundaries between indoor and outdoor spaces.

Situated on a corner in a busy suburb, the home’s central pavilion serves as the heart of family life, housing the living, kitchen and dining areas while ensuring privacy. This pavilion not only visually and physically connects all other spaces – including the pool, courtyard and carport – but also anchors the entire house. Pale brickwork spans the property, connecting interior and exterior spaces and even forming the outdoor fireplace. Vertical lines echo throughout, as seen in the louvred panelling, fencing and timber cladding, contributing to the home’s design.

To avoid creating a double-height form at the centre of the property, which could appear overwhelming from the street, the house instead features dual two-storey volumes at each end of the property. This design choice provides quiet bedroom spaces and guest quarters. Inside, polished concrete floors contribute to the cool palette alongside masonry and exposed overhead rafters. Steps leading down to the living room reflect the home’s modernist style and accommodate the family’s love for entertaining. In one of the bathrooms, seafoam green tiles add a subtle departure from the otherwise restrained yet warm interior palette.

Situated on a corner in a busy suburb, the home’s central pavilion serves as the heart of family life, housing the living, kitchen and dining areas while ensuring privacy.

With a deceptively simple appearance, this home is thoughtfully designed to blend easily into a contemporary suburb while embodying a timeless aesthetic. The deign emphasises the forms of the home, harnessing natural light and optimising sightlines, showing clear Californian influence while effortlessly catering to Melbourne’s active lifestyle.

Architecture by MRTN Architects. Build by Resicon Master Builders. Bricks by Brickworks. Rugs by Armadillo. Tiles by Artedomus.