Carlton Romance
A heavenly plant-filled atrium brings life, light and connection into the heart of this family home located in Carlton, Melbourne. From the outside, Casa Atrio has the character of an Italianate-style terrace, intertwining decorative classical architecture with a Victorian-era home. Ornate and picturesque, the style is unique to Melbourne when the city was fueled by the prosperity of the gold rush late nineteenth-century. But step inside, and the light-filled home has the charm of a classic Parisian apartment with elegant detailing embedded into its DNA.
Biasol were engaged to create a light, spacious and inviting home for a young family who enjoy the inner-city lifestyle and have a strong appreciation for history, architecture and design. Located in a heritage overlay area, Casa Atrio sits amongst a long row of picturesque Italianate-style terraces with decorative parapets and ornate cast-iron lacework. Biasol restored the exterior to bring out the bygone beauty of the Italianate façade and designed the interior with timeless French charm.
The home is architecturally conceived in three sections to provide light and life throughout the day, voids and skylights bring light into the house, overcoming the constraints of the long and narrow site. A plant-filled, glass-enclosed atrium opens up the centre of the house and allows for views between the kitchen and staircase to the children’s bedrooms upstairs. A large skylight bathes the lounge in sunlight and floor-to-ceiling glass doors connect the living space to the landscaped courtyard where a gabled roof protects the porch.
The material palette and detailing are warm and timeless. Parisian-style wall panelling creates depth in the narrow space, visually elongating the hallway and bringing dimension to the walls. Chevron timber floors add some French allure, and sheer curtains gently diffuse light and softly move in the breeze. Casa Atrio is a light, spacious and inviting home for enjoying and celebrating the cherished moments of family life. Filled with charm and elegance, it pays tribute to the classical beauty of Italian architecture and the delightful romance of French design. Who said romance is dead has hired Biasol.
Images Derek Swalwell
