Merricks House by Wood Marsh Architects

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Location: Merricks, Mornington Peninsula, Victoria, Australia

Year: 2009



Architects: Wood Marsh Architects

Photographer: Jean Luc Laloux 



While the opportunities inherent in a semi-rural, seaside context have been exploited to their fullest in this peninsula house, lessons learned from the effects of an often harsh coastal environment have necessitated a balanced response. Rather than orientate the house solely to the sea view, and the accompanying sea winds, a pair of curved rammed-earth walls arcs across the landscape to divide the site, and the building. To one side of this central spine, views to Western Port Bay are captured and framed; to the other, the vista is back into the slope of the land, away from prevailing winds. Here on this protected side, the house opens up to outdoor living spaces and a pool.

Internally, the subtly curved spine itself is a dramatic thoroughfare drawing the visitor in, past a series of smaller, refined volumes housing bedrooms, to a main living zone. The rammed earth walls, concrete floors and timber-lined ceiling provide a luxuriously raw and tactile backdrop to the spectacular natural surrounds.

Wood Marsh Architects

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Wood Marsh Architects


Roger Wood and Randal Marsh have been in private practice since 1983, and their early philosophical and aesthetic ideals have been sustained to inform their architecture throughout the ensuing decades. Contextual issues of locality and region underpin their diverse body of work, which spans residential, commercial and urban architecture.

The practice is renowned for its clarity of vision and its versatility, with art galleries, wineries and private homes as deftly executed as the extensive urban infrastructure the firm has created in and around Melbourne, where it is based.

In each project, Wood Marsh’s founding principles are evident: the sculptural quality of the external forms, the play of solidity and transparency, and the materiality of the limited palettes. Each reminds us that contemporary architecture can have a permanence, and that practical design can be unique and beautiful.

Unmoved by the ebb and flow of design trends, Roger Wood and Randal Marsh cite the arts, generally, rather than architecture specifically, as being of a greater influence on their practice and are proud that their work has been acquired by the National Gallery of Victoria, the National Gallery of Australia, RMIT University and private collectors.

The firm has also been recognised nationally and internationally as the recipient of more than 50 architecture industry awards.

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CONTACT

Telephone
03 9676 2600
Facsimile
03 9676 2811
Email
wm@woodmarsh.com.au

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One comment

  1. I think the outdoor areas and other open spaces in the house are amazing. Looks bright and relaxing. Natural light everywhere makes you feel like you’re somewhere on vacation or just nearby beaches. Great work and design.

    Like

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