Mount Martha by Mékr Studio
On a gently sloping site in Mount Martha, Mékr Studio has delivered a deeply personal residential project: two adjacent homes designed for multigenerational living.
At the heart of the project is co-founder Kristiina Reeve's own residence: a layered and tactile family home conceived as a quiet counterpoint to its leafy, coastal surrounds.
Set back from the street, the two-storey dwelling embraces a pared-back presence. Its restrained architectural expression belies the richness found within, where material warmth and spatial clarity unfold across a series of carefully zoned interiors. The decision to demolish an existing family home and rebuild two neighbouring houses emerged from a desire to bring family closer together, while still maintaining a sense of autonomy.
Grounded by robust finishes and subtle materiality, the home avoids the sterility often associated with new builds. Granite crazy paving, American oak wall panelling, and Australian Kimberley marble lend a sense of permanence and weight, while brick pavers nod to the domestic vernacular. The palette draws from the coastal context: muted greys and greenish hues echo the nearby ocean and gum trees, quietly anchoring the interiors in place.
The layout prioritises functionality without compromising on atmosphere. Living areas unfold across the ground level, opening out to garden views and communal spaces. Bedrooms and private retreats occupy the upper floor, allowing for acoustic separation and moments of solitude. A double-height void, considered lighting, and generous skylights further enhance the sense of volume and connection to the outdoors.
Throughout, there is a concerted effort to soften the architectural envelope. Layered finishes and custom detailing enrich the home with texture and depth, fostering a lived-in quality that defies its recent completion. In the main en suite, a pair of twin showers sits beneath soaring skylights: an elevated gesture of daily luxury.
The project navigates the complex intersection of family, function and form with an understated confidence. Delivered on time and within budget by two sole traders with a young family, it stands as a testament to the possibilities of thoughtful, multigenerational living where individual needs and collective care find equal footing.
