Homage to Scarpa: Villa Carlo in Mosman by Daniel Boddam Studio.

Nestled in Sydney‘s affluent harbourside suburb of Mosman, Villa Carlo is conceived by Australian architect and furniture designer Daniel Boddam. Considered as a spatial journey where materials play a leading role, Boddam and his team imbue a sense of minimalism into a practical reinterpretation of a Californian bungalow.

Approaching architecture and interior design as one, Villa Carlo is a semi-detached modern dwelling connected – but subtly contrasting – to its surroundings. With the design studio’s signature style of simplicity, the home celebrates artisanal craftmanship while also showcasing the client’s coveted art collection.

As a homage to the renowned Italian architect Carlos Scarpa, Daniel Boddam Studio drew inspiration from the steps and sculpted details of Scarpa’s designs that adorn the Venice streets, and his famed Brion Vega Cemetery. From the entrance of the home, framed with cascading steps overhanging the door inside and outside, to the actual staircase design itself, the off-form concrete is entirely reminiscent of Scarpa’s work.

The staircase splices through Villa Carlo to introduce light, capturing and establishing a sculptural quality. This interplay of shadow and light is a refined poetic gesture that echoes in the rest of the house.

Made with time-honoured artisanal craftsmanship, the grandiose grey sandstone podium grounds the house and supports the lower level. Comprised of two main sections with a central courtyard that enables natural northern light to filter in, the communal living areas are positioned to amplify and optimise the Sydney harbour views.

The winged separation of the ground floor is connected by a passage adorned with gallery walls that showcase a vast collection and variety of contemporary art. Colours from the artworks enrich the home from multiple vantage points, injecting hues in an otherwise muted palette.

On the upper levels, framed up in charred Cambia Ash timber, the master bedroom is fitted with custom joinery, walk-in robes and an ensuite, and enjoys the views of the nearby Balmoral Beach. Paired with a secondary living area, the home’s upper levels transform into a luxury space of retreat amidst the coastal breeze.

Designed with architecture that merges physical qualities with simplicity, Villa Carlo by Daniel Boddam Studio is a harmonious dialogue of the client’s lifestyle, light, and nature.

Related: A Crafted Lantern: Carthona House by Daniel Boddam Studio.

[Images courtesy of Daniel Boddam Studio. Decoration by Cameron Kimber. Built by  3-Corp. Landscaping by Michael Bates Landscapes. Photography by Pablo Veiga.]