Tonally Grounded – FJ House by Studio del Castillo

Inspired by its location, FJ House combines a moody and dark tonality with luxury sensibility to create a connection to the famed bluestone lanes of Melbourne. Studio del Castillo proposes an immersive and private home that hints at its interior from the outset, directing all movement and function inward and then out towards the rear and shared living spaces.

Capturing the personalities of its owners, at its core, FJ House focuses on family and connection. Through layering textures and tactile elements throughout, engaging in local craft and firmly anchoring the property to reflect its locality, the narrative of the structure is enriched through its newest iteration. The owners named named their dining table ‘mazi’ – the Greek word for coming together – and in this vein, the  space and the table represent a core philosophy for the ensuing home. Able to accommodate small or larger groups, the table is symbolic in that it has no end and is a dramatic insertion within the residence. Studio del Castillo ensures that detailing and refinement are felt throughout the various levels.

Carefully sculpted, the kitchen island adds to the collection of considered and curated forms within the home whilst also performing as the core convening heart.

Maintaining an element of flexibility in the planning of the home also allows for the expansion or contraction of areas according to various functions and as groups are hosted. To ensure the spaces avoid feeling vast, the selected, furniture, objects and artwork all work to create an intimate and layered setting as one moves through the property. Together with custom-designed elements and a central wrapped-steel stairway, the house perfectly captures contemporary craft. Connecting the levels, the stairway not only makes a statement but, through careful design and planning, also provides a solution to a tight space, with the thin encasing sides reducing its overall size.

The integration of quality finishes and materials forms the base of the home, with a combination of brass and natural stone detailing, and timber flooring laid in a custom pattern underfoot. As many parts of family life certainly have their own dynamic flow, creating spaces that facilitated that was key. Carefully sculpted, the kitchen island adds to the collection of considered and curated forms within the home whilst also performing as the core convening heart. Highlighted by the accompanying darker joinery, brass nuances also add an elevated touch.

Through layering textures and tactile elements, engaging in local craft and firmly anchoring the property to reflect its locality, the narrative of the structure is enriched through its newest iteration.

Assuming its place as a home for present and future generations, FJ House celebrates coming together. Through a heightened approach, Studio del Castillo ensures a continued relevance through a timeless and contemporary offering.