Mount Martha Two Storey New Build
Mount Martha - Two Storey New Build
At TEMSEA Building Group, we understand that a new build is an investment in lifestyle, comfort, and long-term value. This two-storey home in Mount Martha has been designed with the Peninsula lifestyle in mind, offering four bedrooms, three bathrooms, a garage, and expansive alfresco zones that encourage connection to the outdoors.
Blending Coastal Aesthetics with Material Performance
One of the defining considerations in this Mount Martha project was the home’s cladding. Aside from shaping first impressions, this material also dictates how a home weathers salt-laden winds, high UV exposure, and shifting humidity levels typical of the coastal environment.
Common cladding options for coastal homes:
- Rendered Brickwork: A durable choice, but often at the cost of a heavier, more urban aesthetic. In coastal regions, render requires regular upkeep to prevent cracking and staining.
- Fibre Cement Boards: Lightweight, low-maintenance, and budget-friendly, but can lack the natural warmth and depth homeowners often seek in a beachside retreat.
- Metal Cladding (e.g., Colorbond): Highly durable against salt and weathering, though its sharp, industrial aesthetic isn’t always compatible with softer, coastal design visions.
- Composite Cladding Systems: Offer flexibility and resilience, but may come at a higher upfront cost and don’t always age gracefully in natural settings.
- Natural Timber Cladding: Visually rich and organic, timber connects seamlessly with the natural surroundings, though it requires thoughtful selection and treatment to perform long-term.
For this project, the client and our team agreed on natural timber cladding for its warmth and textural depth, as well as the way it harmonises with the Peninsula’s landscape. To ensure maximum performance and efficiency, we specifically selected a species with a durability rating that doesn’t compromise on our client’s desired timeless aesthetic.
While the upfront investment of timber cladding is naturally higher compared to fibre cement or metal, its longevity, low embodied energy, and ability to weather gracefully make it a cost-effective decision in the long term.
Maximising Light and Space Through Cathedral Ceilings
One of the most striking features of the Mount Martha build is the cathedral ceiling, designed as an architectural statement and to fulfil the clients’ vision for a light-filled, expansive living space that captures the coastal character of the Peninsula.
By lifting the ceiling line, the interiors gain a sense of openness and airiness, while simultaneously framing views and drawing natural light deeper into the home. Achieving this effect, however, demands careful structural planning and energy efficiency considerations.
Cathedral ceilings, by nature, alter roofline geometry and place greater demands on insulation and load-bearing frameworks. However, without the right approach, they can introduce heat loss in winter and unwanted heat gain in summer.
Our solution combined engineered truss systems with advanced insulation materials, balancing the visual ambition of soaring interiors with energy efficiency and structural integrity.
This solution has a slightly higher upfront cost compared to conventional flat ceilings, but the return is seen in both reduced energy bills and the creation of a grand, open interior that directly enhances property value.
Designing Seamless Indoor–Outdoor Flow
On the Mornington Peninsula, lifestyle is central to every home design. For the Mount Martha project, one of our key goals was to integrate indoor and outdoor living areas in a way that supported year-round use.
So, rather than treating the alfresco as an afterthought, we considered it as a natural extension of the main living space. In our design, ceiling lines were aligned, door thresholds recessed, and materials chosen for durability in exposed conditions.
These details might seem minor, but they are what transform the alfresco into a genuine second living room rather than a seasonal add-on.
From a value perspective, seamless indoor–outdoor integration is also consistently linked to stronger buyer appeal and higher market returns. Through this design, the current owners can enjoy a lifestyle upgrade and long-term equity by aligning with the way buyers expect to live in coastal homes.
At TEMSEA, we consider every detail with both performance and long-term value in mind, ensuring our clients enjoy spaces that are as enduring as they are beautiful. Got a project in mind? Let’s have a chat!
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