Challenging traditional residential typology through a ‘back-to-front’ design strategy, founding director Adi Atic and director Michael Artemenko of FIGR utilized a reversed ‘ha-ha’ landscape element to create a biophilic sanctuary. The architectural strategy centers on a doughnut-like floorplan that eliminates traditional corridors in favor of continuous circular circulation and programmed spaces around a central courtyard. By selecting La Paloma bricks in Miro from Brickworks, the design leverages masonry’s thermal mass and textural robustness to create a seamless transition between the charred timber exterior and the light-filled internal volumes.
Nestled in Melbourne’s leafy Alphington neighbourhood, where front yard fences are a rare sight, this home aims to give back to the local streetscape and the family who lives within its walls in more ways than one. Paramount to its biophilic focus, Ha Ha Haus reflects a recessed landscape element. Instead of building a fence around the front of the property, FIGR has entrenched the home and built-up a landscaped mound that encloses the front. In a collaborative move alongside landscape design studio MUD Office, this reversed take on a traditional sunken ‘ha-ha’ landscape element offers its occupants privacy while maintaining evergreen views of the native garden outside.
Wrapped in charred Australian blackbutt timber, which casts a veil over the home, Ha Ha Haus first appears like a dark bunker beyond the landscaping. On closer inspection, the black silhouette of the house eases into the background. As you enter through the front gate, the appearance of off-white bricks creates an unexpected and immediate sense of arrival.
The material palette of this home is largely natural and tonal and has been intentionally paired back to three fundamental finishes, which were locally sourced to reduce carbon emissions. Offering a visual celebration of contrasting materials against the charred timber exterior and natural timber flooring inside, the La Paloma bricks in Miro from Brickworks were selected for their grounding aesthetic appeal, enduring strength, and sustainable qualities.
The floorplan is focused on practical, family-orientated spaces enveloped around a central courtyard to ensure every space connects to the seasonal elements. “The doughnut-like floorplan allows for the home to be completely opened up, and instead of giving us blank dead-ends, it gives us access to natural light and cross-ventilation,” Michael says. “You walk through program rather than adding extra corridors.”
The Designer’s Perspective: “Brick is a very versatile material that can be applied in many ways. We wanted this material to become the hero of the project. It’s not just on the walls. It also extends internally, creating a holistic approach to the space,” Adi explains. “What I’m proud of in this project is that we have been able to flip it on its head and push the boundaries on how we treat the positioning and sighting of the house while still providing privacy and great amenity.”