A House Defined by Colour, Material and Light

A House Defined by Colour, Material and Light

Colour Planet Colour Swatches Eggshell Heritage Palette Materiality
Designed as a house for his own family, the project allowed Antony Martin to explore and refine ideas beyond the constraints of a typical client brief. The result is a thoughtfully crafted residence where materiality, colour and changing light shape a warm and enduring living environment.

As the first house Antony Martin designed for his own family, the project became an opportunity to explore ideas around materiality, sustainability and spatial experience through his own lived experience.

Guided by a commitment to natural, responsibly sourced materials, key selections were made early in the design process, allowing the architecture and detailing to evolve around their inherent qualities. The house orientation and relationship to light helped shape the design, creating spaces that respond to changing conditions throughout the day while maintaining a sense of warmth, permanence and simplicity.

"Our projects are always very material driven. Material selections are made early and the details are crafted to suit the material rather than the other way around."
– Antony Martin

Material selection played a central role in the project's identity. A custom-pigmented concrete block was specified throughout the house, chosen for both its aesthetic character and its sustainable credentials. Manufactured using chipped timber pallet offcuts as aggregate and requiring minimal energy during production, the block aligned closely with the project's environmental objectives. Terracotta flooring was selected for its timeless appeal, natural warmth and ability to develop character over time.

"The terracotta flooring is a centuries old building material which will not only stand the test of time but will also patina with the house while creating a sense of warmth in tone."
– Antony Martin

Paint colour was equally important in establishing the character of the house. Colours from Colour Planet / Heritage Palette, including Corten and Claystone, were selected to sit comfortably within the broader material palette. Applied in Ultra Premium Eggshell, the colours complement the warmth of the terracotta flooring and the texture of the concrete block while helping define the experience of different spaces. Terracotta introduces depth and intimacy within private areas of the house, while Claystone provides a softer, quieter backdrop to shared living spaces. Using Haymes Paint Colour Swatches, colours were tested extensively against surrounding materials and in different lighting conditions to ensure they complemented the house material palette and responded consistently throughout the day.

"Private and public areas share the same natural materials, but a spatial differentiation is created through the use of colour."
– Antony Martin

"The house has an inherent palette created by the materials it is built from. The paint colours needed to belong within that palette, allowing colour, light and materiality to work together as one."
– Antony Martin

Project by MRTN Architects.
Photography by Marie-Luise Skibbe.

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