Mount Martha House / Kister Architects

Located in the back streets of old Mount Martha (an established Melbourne bayside suburb at the gateway to the Mornington Peninsula), this single-storey holiday residence is a serene sanctuary enveloped by nature. The brief to create a multi-generational private family retreat also called for a strong connection to context and distinct zones for privacy and entertaining. Biophilic design principles underpinned the primary response and facilitated the seamless integration of interior and exterior. Sited to maximize the northern aspect by hugging the southern boundary, the design locates a triangular plan around a central courtyard and utilizes the gentle fall of the site to maximize the penetration of natural light year-round.