Continuing a Lived Lineage – Kyneton Residence by MRTN Architects

Optimising an opportunity to age in place, the clients of Kyneton Residence undertook the expansion and reimagining of their existing 1970s rural home to ensure an imbedded sense of relevance would continue their journey with the site. MRTN Architects combines a respectful series of insertions with a sculptural approach that responds to the unique and lushly landscaped setting.

In its rural locale of the same name, the expansion of Kyneton Residence sees the optimising of the existing bones of the home to ensure its clients could comfortably age in place. As a second objective, the reworking of the home was inspired by a want to better connect and respond to its site, and the result combines the two intentions. Originally designed and built in the 1970s, the brick home has sat lofted and elevated above its lush landscape setting and surrounding established gardens, and now faced with the decision to stay or relocate, the owners had opted to age in place and make the necessary adjustments in order to do so. Through some carefully considered insertions, the original home was expanded and tightly tailored to fit the nuanced brief, seeing MRTN Architects sculpt a comfortable home to continue a lived lineage.

Through some carefully considered insertions, the original home was expanded and tightly tailored to fit the nuanced brief, seeing MRTN Architects sculpt a comfortable home to continue a lived lineage.

Built by Covet Homes, with structural engineering by Deery Consulting, Kyneton Residence is the clever replanning and realigning of its many existing parts, together with an addition of a master bedroom suite, carport, workshop and outdoor entertaining deck space. Sitting neatly on its acre allotment, over the years the home has become surrounded by dense plantings since its original conception. A prominent part of elongating the clients’ time in the house was ensuring they could maintain and preserve the property and its landscape. Drawing also on a keen love of the arts (as artists themselves, as well as collectors), the extension and new reworking internally transforms the home into a part gallery space, while formally the addition also responds to the slope of the site.

Referencing the sculptural work of Tony Smith and Anthony Caro, the addition takes form as a black rectilinear shaped volume and is intended to be a non-distracting element amongst the surrounding landscape. A similar boldness is utilised internally, with a materiality intended to evoke a sense of immersion and embrace, while creating focal points for the displayed artwork throughout. There is a deliberate richness to the finishes utilised, as a means to both connect to the existing elements and to add an element of drama and impact. The old and new are intended to overlap with ease and for the transition to feel effortless moving between them.

Drawing also on a keen love of the arts (as artists themselves, as well as collectors), the extension and new reworking internally transforms the home into a part gallery space, while formally the addition also responds to the slope of the site.

Kyneton Residence extends the lineage from its storied past into a projected and relevant future. MRTN Architects have reimagined the previous home, extending and sculpting it to fittingly suit its surroundings, and more importantly, its custodians.