Mount Martha Home | Featured on The Local Project
Planned Living Architects' latest residential project was recently showcased by The Local Project, highlighting its rich tones, bold linear forms, and a relaxed aesthetic brought to life through timber accents and stone walls.
We sat down with Architect Jay Earles to explore how his team seamlessly integrates materiality and indoor-outdoor connections. By balancing thoughtful spatial planning with a strong understanding of structural integrity, they create designs that are both functional and beautifully executed.
All photography by Dave Kulesza.
What’s your professional background in architecture, and how has it shaped your design approach today?
Our entire team has grown up by the beach on the Mornington Peninsula, and this connection to place has heavily influenced our approach to design and architecture today. A deep understanding of coastal and local conditions and appreciation for the outdoor spaces drives a strong emphasis on connections to nature, viewlines and outdoor living.
Do you find yourself equally drawn to interior architecture and spatial planning as you are to structural design?
As a team we have a particular interest in the practicalities of spatial planning and how the relationship between spaces can influence the way we experience houses. We also have always endeavoured to fully understand the structural implications of our designs and the buildability on site – we particularly enjoy working through structural and finishing detailing with our builders on site.
Pictured: Theron Bloom Floor Scalpture
You recently designed the Mt Martha home – how do you approach a new architectural brief, and what’s your creative process?
Our number one rule is that we must listen to the client and endeavour to fully understand what they want to achieve and how they live. At the end of the day it is their home, they need to be happy and comfortable there. Secondly, we need to unpack all the site constraints and opportunities, ensuring we fully understand critical viewlines, sun paths and other climate considerations such as sea-breezes, etc. Beyond that, planning constraints also need to be fully understood before spatial layouts, three-dimensional form making or materiality come into the process.
Mt Martha was a very successful project, as the client approached us before they even had found a site, and I visited multiple properties with them, worked through feasibilities, and got to know them through this early stage process which really helped shape the project.
Walk us through your decision-making process for materiality and structural elements in the Mt Martha home.
Mount Martha was presented with an amazing scope for capturing views – but in a very exposed location – not only a salt-laden environment which drives selection of low maintenance materials, but also the orientation of outlook in this part of Mt Martha is critical – balancing key viewlines with the impact of low westerly sun and reflection of that off Port Philip Bay was a driving factor behind the site layout and orientation of living spaces.
What are three key considerations when designing a home of this scale and style?
It might sound a bit boring, but; Client. Site. Livability. If you understand all these considerations, you end up with a successful project, which your client will love to live in for many years to come.
If you could work on any project, what would your dream architectural commission be?
At the end of the day, we love working on projects for good people in great locations – we aren’t too fussed about scale or budget, as long as they align with the client brief. Our most enjoyable projects are where the client and architect relationship, as well as that with the builder, is a collaborative one.
In terms of site, we obviously love the ocean, so anything within a stones throw of a beach – and if there’s surf out the front, even better.
Where can people learn more about you?
If you want to find out more about us or our process, just give us a call, or jump on www.plannedliving.com.au
Instagram - @plannedlivingarchitects
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