The Atelier
Featuring Urban Republic’s premium NX Decor cabinetry and materials, The Atelier blends craftsmanship and natural connection to create a refined, light-filled and welcoming space.
Situated in Balwyn in Melbourne’s east, The Atelier by AXE Architects is a bespoke three-storey residence where raw materiality and fine detailing combine to evoke a distinctly contemporary and unmistakably Australian aesthetic. Designed in response to both its site and the rhythms of daily life, the home unfolds as a series of light-filled spaces defined by natural connection, texture, craftsmanship and movement.
Integral to the project is Urban Republic, a Melbourne-based company known for its expertise in timber, plywood and decorative panels. Since 2009, Urban Republic has been a trusted partner for architects and designers across Australia, delivering high-quality, locally made products that are as durable as they are visually refined. Throughout The Atelier, NX Decor’s range plays a key role, with custom cabinetry and wall panels from the NX Neuprofile collection, all supporting the home’s tactile and tonal palette.
A key element of the residence is its continuous dialogue with the environment. Expansive steel-framed windows highlight views of lush parkland at the rear, allowing natural light to move freely through the interiors while reinforcing a sense of openness and connection to the landscape.
AXE Architects approached transitional spaces with equal care, designing them as integral parts of the home’s spatial rhythm. Circulation areas open to changing light and framed outlooks, creating a layered journey throughout. A pitched ceiling – a response to the character of the surrounding locale – adds scale and drama, casting shifting shadows and guiding the eye upward.
NX Decor’s cabinetry adds more than practicality. The range, originally created for the marine and recreational vehicle industry, has been developed for high-end residential and commercial use, while retaining a focus on precision and thoughtful manufacturing. Made in Australia and fully traceable in production, the range features patterns and finishes that support architectural intent.
The range, originally created for the marine and recreational vehicle industry, has been developed for high-end residential and commercial use.
In The Atelier, bold black surfaces sit comfortably against rich timber grain, offering visual contrast and a clear material structure. Australian oak timber joinery offers a sense of grounding warmth, while terrazzo-finished stone floors introduce coolness underfoot. Taj Mahal marble, with its subtle veining, adds a layer of luxury across selected surfaces. These materials work together as a quiet, composed backdrop to daily life.
Beyond cabinetry, Urban Republic also supplied wall panels from the NX Neuprofile collection, which align with AXE Architects’ wider vision. These elements are an expression of craftsmanship, adding to the home’s cohesive language.
Amid the evolving landscape of residential architecture, The Atelier stands as an example of craft and material quality. NX Decor’s involvement is evident throughout, forming an integral part of how the house looks, feels and functions.
Architecture and interior design by AXE Architects. Build by Alia Homes. Landscape design by Ben Scott Garden Design. Cabinetry and wall panels by NX Decor by Urban Republic.
