Kross House by FIGR Architecture Studio

Through site-sensitive design, a sophisticated material palette and a focus on sustainability, FIGR Architecture Studio has created a home deeply integrated with its Victorian coastal context.

Nestled into its sloping coastal site, Kross House by FIGR Architecture Studio offers a contemporary reimagining of pavilion-style living overlooking Mount Martha’s scenic foreshore. This single-storey residence is a testament to site-responsive design, fostering a seamless connection to its surroundings while prioritising sustainability. On a 760-square-metre site, the house appears to float above the rugged landscape, anchored by natural rock formations and supported by a distinctive V-shaped steel column.

The thoughtful design encourages a sense of spatial fluidity, allowing each pavilion to feel both interconnected and distinct.

Architects Michael Artemenko and Adi Atic, directors of FIGR, drew inspiration from traditional beachside shacks and fibro cottages. Rather than adopting the typical box-on-box style, the pair opted for a low-scale form with skillion roofs, deep reveals and a carport that subtly nods to classic beach bungalows. This design approach honours the site’s history while reflecting the architects’ personal connection to the area. “From an external, formal point of view, the one thing we were trying to avoid was replicating a lot of the new builds in Mount Martha,” says Atic. “I have a special spot in my heart for the area as I’ve been going there on holidays for more than 20 years. I also did my thesis on how the line was blurring between suburban homes making their way into this beach vernacular.”

At the heart of the design is a multifunctional cross layout, organising the home along north-south and east-west axes. This arrangement connects a series of distinct pavilions, creating flexible private living areas and dedicated guest wings. The thoughtful design encourages a sense of spatial fluidity, allowing each pavilion to feel both interconnected and distinct. The cross axis also forms an ‘in-between’ zone that functions as both an internal breezeway and an outdoor deck, seamlessly linking the interior to the surrounding environment.

“Instead of whitewashing, we chose a darker finish so that the nature and the exterior of the landscape really pops inside the space, creating lovely deep shadows that glow in a different way.”

“Rather than opening everything outwards, everything opens inwards towards the cross,” says Atic. “On a calm day, you can open up the whole house, so when all those doors stack back in, you actually don’t know what is inside and what’s out. For us, that’s probably the true definition of indoor-outdoor living – that you can effectively open it up so that it’s just one big pavilion.” This layout also considers weather and wind conditions, allowing the east and west side of the house, where there is cross flow, to be controlled.

The sense of openness is balanced with thoughtful detailing that connects Kross House to its environment. Timber plays a significant role in the material palette both inside and out, with large sheets of plywood used for flooring and joinery, evoking a nostalgic nod to old fibro beach shacks. “Instead of whitewashing, we chose a darker finish so that the nature and the exterior of the landscape really pops inside the space, creating lovely deep shadows that glow in a different way,” says Atic.

“You go on a journey – make your way down those rock formation steps into the backyard and then you start to discover some of these little hidden spaces.”

Operable sliding doors open onto a triangular northern deck, extending the living spaces into the surrounds. The main floor is positioned at the highest point of the site to capture sweeping views of the Mount Martha foreshore. Below the house, an 18-metre lap pool runs along the north-south axis, offering a private outdoor retreat.

Navigating the steep site presented both challenges and opportunities, and the clients’ brief for a single-level home pushed the team to think creatively. “Not having a double-storey dwelling left us with an interesting opportunity underneath the house,” he continues. “We reclaimed some land under the rear overhang, which became a secluded garden that you have to find. You go on a journey – make your way down those rock formation steps into the backyard and then you start to discover some of these little hidden spaces.”

“Kross House allows movement through the middle, outside and even underneath, helping to understand how the site and the house interact.”

The design’s sustainable principles enhance both liveability and performance. The layout encourages natural ventilation, reducing the need for air conditioning, while double-glazed timber-framed windows, a 20,000-litre water tank, solar panels and battery storage further minimise the environmental footprint. FIGR collaborated with Mud Office to create a native landscape garden with coastal plant species, supporting local flora and fauna. “We were fortunate that our clients were happy to incorporate sustainability elements into the home,” says Artemenko. This landscape design not only complements the architectural vision but also enhances the home’s connection to its coastal surroundings.

Kross House exemplifies FIGR’s dedication to site-sensitive architecture that excites the imagination and activates the senses. This journey-like experience reflects the practice’s philosophy of exploring the relationship between structure and land. “It’s about how a dwelling interacts with the ground – whether it’s embedded, floating or giving land back,” explains Atic. “Kross House allows movement through the middle, outside and even underneath, helping to understand how the site and the house interact.”

The project’s success is a testament to FIGR Architecture Studio’s creative vision and working with their clients. It was a journey of exploration, with both parties embracing the creative challenges posed by the unique site. “We were very fortunate to have clients who trusted us fully,” says Atic. “They were courageous, giving us creative freedom early in our career, which allowed us to achieve something truly special. The result speaks for itself.”

Architecture and interior design by FIGR Architecture Studio. Build by Vivid Construction Company. Landscape design by Mud Office.

“The clients were courageous, giving us creative freedom early in our career, which allowed us to achieve something truly special.”