Jury comment
The jury unanimously agreed Piccolo Palazzo displays innovation and a strong sense of emotion. It stands out for being a small project that is really well curated. There’s a distinct narrative reflective of the client and a rigour in terms of its Venetian theme, which balances the idea of contemporary and vintage very well. The scheme’s resilient design solution and the complexity of solving the challenges that come with such a tiny space feel quite compelling. It is a smaller-scale project that packs a real punch, reveals the individuality of the client and outshines the constraints of its plan.
Design statement
Piccolo Palazzo is an inner-city sanctuary for a stylish client going through some life-changing personal events. Enhancing the wonderful natural light, a combination of considered materiality and an adventurous colour palette transports you to a summer holiday in Venice.
The Piccolo Palazzo is a genuine example of using what you have to maximum effect – proving that high-volume projects don’t have to be bland, but that through good design, they can be remarkable, bespoke, and affordable. The client trusted us to provide her with a truly individual space that reflected her style and allowed flexibility for her growing collections. The space serves as an informal photography studio where the client can work, rest, enjoy cups of tea, and be surrounded by her favourite books, belongings and friends.
Laying a glossy tiled floor throughout was a challenging concept, yet the client trusted that the design would make the space feel modern and fresh, with more light reflected and a seamless integration between the rooms: a little bit of Venice in Carlton.
The combined effect of the subtly reflective surfaces and carefully calibrated colour palette lifts and enlarges the spaces.
Piccolo Palazzo is located in Carlton, Victoria, on the land of the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung.
Project credits
Design practice — JC HQ
Project team — Julia Cox
The Award for Residential Decoration is supported by Sub-Zero Wolf. The Australian Interior Design Awards are presented by the Design Institute of Australia and Artichoke magazine. For more images of this project, see the Australian Interior Design Awards gallery.
