Our Melrose Ave Residence was coined ‘Casa Piva’ as it was designed by our director, Andrew Piva, for his family. The house takes its cues from the owners’ Italian origins and is reflected in the sensibility of the approach to design issues rather than a more obvious interpretation.
The house is built around a series of walled courtyards utilising the same masonry - a local custom-made concrete brick first used in some of our early residential projects 25 years ago, chosen for its shape, texture and its patina over time. The brick is laid with flush struck mortar creating a surface perceived more as a singular material than a construction of individual parts. The experience is more akin to a rural building or monastery than an inner-city dwelling.
The design uses time-honoured brick traditions in its header courses and deep arches. The building’s main facade is a playful interaction between two arches used in diff erent directions. Walking through the house, the sense of ‘journey’ starts on entering a walled courtyard leading to a singular opening. The pathway through the house leads past a sunken library.
This is lined with custom bookshelves set down to recreate the feeling of containment and intimacy of a mid-century conversation pit. Antique oak is used throughout the house punctuated with the facade’s masonry brought inside in muted putty tones.The reference to Italian heritage is expressed through the layout and how that supports the family’s functions.
The kitchen, as in many Italian households, is the heart of the house and has been combined with the dining area and both are separated from the living room. Meals are prepared where they are eaten without distract from this time-honoured ritual. The living room Is divided into separate living zones as in a traditional Venetian residence. It is a place to sit amongst collections of books and favoured objects.
