Prahran House | Bathrooms in Balance with ABI Interiors

Located in Melbourne’s inner suburb of Prahran, a considered collaboration between multi-disciplinary studio Odyssey Architecture and Australian fixture brand ABI Interiors elevates a classic double-fronted Victorian home’s bathrooms beyond expectation.

We spoke with Odyssey Architecture principal Michael Nguyen about the project’s design evolution — and how a sense of calm, clarity, and connection was achieved behind the heritage façade.

In partnership with ABI Interiors.

Prahran House is defined by its calm, refined material palette and rebalanced sense of flow. How did you strike that same balance in the more intimate, enclosed spaces like the bathrooms?

Michael Nguyen: Natural daylight is key to creating a sense of calm. We always try to introduce natural light into bathrooms through carefully placed windows or skylights. There’s a quiet beauty in simplicity, so the material palette is intentionally restrained to reinforce that sense of serenity. In the master ensuite and walk-in robe, we designed the spaces to feel like a seamless extension of one another, which in turn gave the ensuite a more generous, connected feel.

What were the key spatial or experimental qualities you aimed to achieve within the bathrooms? How do they support the daily rituals of the young family that lives here?

Michael Nguyen: Storage was a key consideration in the design of each bathroom. We incorporated ample vanity and mirrored cabinet storage to ensure that every member of the household had space for their daily essentials. The master ensuite and walk-in robe were conceived as a seamless extension of one another, allowing a couple to use both spaces efficiently during busy mornings.

The location of the shared bathroom was also carefully considered. By positioning it close to the secondary bedrooms, we ensured easy access for the rest of the family, while still maintaining a sense of separation from the main living areas. Double basins in the shared bathroom support the family’s evening routines, allowing multiple users to get ready at the same time with ease.

Prahran House | Bathrooms in Balance with ABI Interiors

Pictured: the Tezra Cabinetry T-Pull 50mm by ABI Interiors.

Pictured: the Milani Assembly Taps & Spout set by ABI Interiors.

“We were drawn to ABI Interiors for their simple, elegant, and timeless designs—their fixtures align beautifully with the calm and enduring character of the home.”

– MICHAEL NGUYEN, ODYSSEY ARCHITECTURE PRINCIPAL ARCHITECT

The material palette in the bathrooms feels both restrained and richly layered. Can you share more about the finishes and tonal decisions, and how they contribute to the overall mood?

Michael Nguyen: Our approach to these types of projects is to be sensitive to the heritage character of the existing home, while layering in contemporary elements to create a calm and refined atmosphere.

Bianco Carrara marble is a timeless material. Elegant and understated, it grounds the palette with a sense of classic permanence. Brushed nickel tapware was chosen for similar reasons; it’s subtle, enduring, and quietly luxurious. The reeded glass is a nod to traditional detailing, but we’ve reinterpreted it in a more contemporary way. The matte timber laminate adds warmth and texture, preventing the space from feeling too clinical while reinforcing the sense of calm.

ABI Interiors tapware and hardware have been integrated seamlessly. What made these selections a natural fit for the project — functionally or aesthetically?

Michael Nguyen: We were drawn to ABI Interiors for their simple, elegant, and timeless designs. We thought they were a natural fit for the aesthetic we were aiming to achieve. Their fixtures align beautifully with the calm and enduring character of the home, offering both functional quality and a refined presence that integrates seamlessly into the overall design.

Lastly, how do you see the bathrooms in Prahran House as reflecting broader values of Odyssey Architecture?

Michael Nguyen: The bathrooms in Prahran House reflect several of our core values at Odyssey Architecture which include restraint, efficiency, and spatial generosity. The design balances clean, refined detailing with a focus on flow, optimal storage, and a calm, composed atmosphere. Throughout, we’ve aimed to celebrate the home’s heritage character while expressing material honesty and timeless simplicity.