Casa Piva: A Masterclass in Understated Luxury

Tucked away in a discreet Melbourne laneway, Casa Piva is a home designed with deep personal intent. It belongs to Andrew Piva, director at B.E. Architecture, and embodies a refined balance between old-world materiality and contemporary restraint. More than just a place to live, Casa Piva is an exploration of light, texture, and proportion—where every detail has been carefully considered and nothing is accidental.

A Personal Vision, A Timeless Palette

For Andrew, designing his own home meant navigating the challenge of filtering countless ideas into those that truly mattered. “What’s probably the most difficult aspect is trying to temper your own enthusiasm and filter out all the possible ideas into those that really matter and are the appropriate ones to shape the project,” he shared with The Local Project.

The result is a home that unfolds gradually, revealing itself in layers. From the cobblestoned courtyard entrance—reminiscent of an Italian villa—to the intimate interiors wrapped in rich timber, Casa Piva reimagines what a family home can be. The material selection plays a pivotal role in this vision, with a cohesive palette of soft chalk-toned brickwork, sawn travertine flooring, and deeply toned Tuscan oak joinery. Evenex Sincro Timber-look Surface panels by Elton Group feature prominently throughout, ensuring a sense of balance and continuity while allowing for moments of heightened contrast.

Design in the Details

A space like this demands details that don’t just blend in, but elevate the entire aesthetic. Enter Castella’s bronze Ledge handles, a minimalist yet striking addition to the kitchen and joinery. The hardware aligns seamlessly with Casa Piva’s philosophy—subtle, precise, and purpose-driven.

Crafted with a refined profile, these handles integrate into the Tuscan oak cabinetry almost imperceptibly, allowing the material’s natural grain to take centre stage. Yet their presence is undeniably felt—providing tactile weight and a sense of permanence. Over time, the living finish of the bronze will develop a soft patina, echoing the home’s approach to materials that age with grace.

A Home Designed to Evolve

While the architectural form is meticulously resolved, Casa Piva remains a deeply personal space. Andrew and his family’s collection of furniture reflects an eclectic yet considered mix—vintage modernist pieces alongside contemporary designs, as well as bespoke elements crafted by B.E. Architecture. The oversized plaster ring light in the living room, handmade by Andrew and his team, is a standout. “Although it certainly tested my patience… sitting back now and enjoying the soft glow it gives the room and the interesting shadows it casts against the hand-carved birds does make us smile,” he noted in The Local Project.

Beyond aesthetics, sustainability was embedded into the design from the outset. The home’s orientation, material choices, and passive heating and cooling strategies ensure it will remain functional and efficient for years to come. “The key thing that drives many of our projects is trying to design a home that’s not based on trends and remains relevant for years to come,” Andrew shared with Archello.

A Study in Restraint, A Celebration of Craft

Casa Piva is a home that feels as though it has always existed, yet is firmly rooted in the present. Its design is not about grandeur, but about balance—between light and dark, texture and restraint, past and present. It’s a place where even the smallest details, like a handle or a patinaed timber panel, contribute to an overarching sense of timelessness.

For those seeking to craft spaces with a similar sense of quiet luxury, Castella’s range of minimalist, architectural hardware offers a way to achieve both subtlety and impact. In a home like Casa Piva, where every material tells a story, the right details make all the difference.