Mount Martha Is A Private Residential Abode

PROJECT FEATURE Articles

Materiality and Form - Mount Martha House by Edition Office

Words by Bronwyn Marhsall

Photography by Ben Hoskings

The Influences Of Australian And American Mid Century Modern Are Clear, And The Resulting Form Is One Of Enviable Proportions.

Referencing mid-century modern architecture and embodying the essence of Australian coastal informality, Edition Office’s Mount Martha project is an expression of materiality and form with an emphasis on its neighbouring outward aspect.

Located in Mount Martha, the like-named abode takes its inspiration from mid-century icons and utilises its location as an opportunity to create a refined and fresh approach to the coastal escape. At the core of the Australian occasional home is a purposed ‘relaxed-ness’, existing in a state of semi-permanence, which is perfectly captured by Edition Office. Together with builder One Construction Group, the design team have taken these pillars and combined them with a deliberate intention to sculpt an arrangement of form that offers a considered and breathable building, which responds to its location and opens to its many natural assets beyond.

To Allow For This View To Become An Extension Of The Interior

The Mount Martha project is an example of the coastal home asking more of itself, where its independence and longevity create a sense of strength.

Edition Office Has Taken Inspiration From The Traditional Australian Beach Shack

Located in Mount Martha, the like-named abode takes its inspiration from mid-century icons.

Edition Office’s Mount Martha Project Is An Expression Of Materiality And Form With An Emphasis On Its Neighbouring Outward Aspect.

The appropriation of scale and materiality were at the vanguard of the design intent.

Located In Mount Martha, The Like Named Abode Takes Its Inspiration From Mid Century Icons And Utilises Its Location As An Opportunity To Create

At the core of the Australian occasional home is a purposed ‘relaxed-ness’.

Within The Exterior Walls, Lies A Series Of Living And Communing Spaces, Held Together Through Internal Courtyards.

Located in Mount Martha, the like-named abode takes its inspiration from mid-century icons.

At The Core Of The Australian Occasional Home Is A Purposed Relaxed Ness, Existing In A State Of Semi Permanence.

Speaking to the non-permanent home vernacular, the appropriation of scale and materiality were at the vanguard of the design intent. Chosen for the low level of maintenance required, the concrete breezeblock is a prominent feature of the façade. Laid on its side, breezeblocks allow not only for a textural variation, but also for an ease of airflow and ventilation, ideally responding to its proximity to the coast. Combined with this efficient and structurally-stable block is the use of steel and timber, both also minimal and deliberately non-distributive of the overall form.

We Explore Edition Office’s Mount Martha House

Both Also Minimal And Deliberately Non Distributive Of The Overall Form.

The concrete breezeblock is a prominent feature of the façade.

Ideally Responding To Its Proximity To The Coast. Combined With This Efficient And Structurally Stable Block Is The Use Of Steel And Timber

At the core of the Australian occasional home is a purposed relaxed-ness, existing in a state of semi-permanence.

Edition Office Has Taken Inspiration From An Earlier Vernacular, And Refined Its Proposal Through Materiality And Form

Situated in an elevated vantage point, the lines of the exterior form of the home are an extension of the hillside context it sits amongst, creating a datum line upon which the home resides. The expansive views beyond overlook Port Phillip Bay and purposed openings are directed in through opened vistas, to allow for this view to become an extension of the interior. Within the exterior walls lies a series of living and communing spaces, held together through internal courtyards.

Which Is Perfectly Captured By Edition Office

Chosen For The Low Level Of Maintenance Required, The Concrete Breezeblock Is A Prominent Feature Of The Façade

Laid On Its Side, Breezeblocks Allow Not Only For A Textural Variation, But Also For An Ease Of Airflow And Ventilation

Within the exterior walls, lies a series of living and communing spaces, held together through internal courtyards.

The Mount Martha Project Is An Example Of The Coastal Home Asking More Of Itself, Where Its Independence And Longevity Create A Sense Of Strengt

The expansive views beyond overlook Port Phillip Bay and purposed openings are directed in through opened vistas.

Edition Office has taken inspiration from the traditional Australian beach shack, and its primitive ‘make-do’ philosophy of construction through found or unused items, and through a refined and measured lens, crafted a home that could exist appropriately anywhere. Their specific response to its location’s coastal demands of materiality and maintenance, together with a sustainable and climate-responsive build show a sophistication in execution while still imbuing a sense for the relaxed nature of the typology. The influences of Australian and American mid-century modern are clear, and the resulting form is one of enviable proportions.

The Mount Martha project is an example of the coastal home asking more of itself, where its independence and longevity create a sense of strength, further enabling its inhabitants to relax and enjoy the views beyond.