Our Casa Piva residence is discreetly nestled down a laneway in one of Melbourne’s leafy suburbs. This family home draws inspiration from its owners' Italian heritage, with its materials, detailing, and layout reflecting this connection.

Upon entering Casa Piva, one passes through a walled, cobblestoned courtyard – one of many private spaces surrounding the house, giving it an inward-looking, protective quality. The rough brick exterior, with its carefully crafted detailing, evokes a sense of older buildings rather than its contemporary counterparts. A limited, cohesive material palette defines the house, with the exterior brick continuing inside, where it’s paired with Tuscan oak panelling to create a powerful aesthetic. Rough-sawn travertine flooring is used in the kitchen and living areas, enhancing the home’s relaxed atmosphere.

As one moves through the house, a meandering journey unfolds, with each turn revealing a new aspect of the interior. The family’s study is sunken into the ground, with steps leading down into the space, where tall bookshelves create a wraparound, cocooning effect.

The house embraces simplicity and restraint, avoiding excessive engineering or unnecessary detailing. This careful approach makes the design timeless, unanchored to any specific era.

The clients were keen to reflect their Italian heritage in the house, which informed the choice of rusticated brick, Tuscan oak, and travertine used throughout the home. They had a strong sense of how they lived as a family and wanted the layout to support that. The significance of preparing and sharing meals shaped the design of the kitchen, which was purposefully paired with the dining area but separated from the adjacent living spaces to minimise noise. Their passion for cooking inspired the addition of a pizza oven and barbecue, intergrated within the brick fabric in one of the courtyards outside the living area, providing further opportunities for outdoor family gatherings.