Studio Del Castillo wins TIDA Australia Apartment of the Year

Designed by the architects Fender Katsalidis in 2006 and soaring over 300 metres into the Melbourne sky, Eureka Tower is still one of the world's tallest residential buildings.

Making the 80th-floor apartment seen here a true penthouse in every sense of the word.

The owners – adventurous empty nesters with a globe-trotting bucket list – wanted the dramatically angular shell to be turned into a luxurious retreat filled with warmth, colour and texture.

This is apparent right from entry into the penthouse’s private lift lobby, where four pairs of custom Italian solid brass doors, featuring an erosion pattern, serve as functional art pieces.

Exotic rich red floorboards lead to a timber-lined tunnel, while a 100% silk, 100-knot hand-tufted rug cushions every step.

Overhead, a sizable sculptural pendant light spans east to west, ensuring a dramatic welcome from any lift.

This is just one example of the highly detailed palette of finishes that is then seen throughout the interior.

For example, the master bathroom features an impressive, curved mosaic wall which took four months to create and fabricate in Paris, and 10 days to lay on site.

The penthouse boasts three dedicated living areas, including the angular open-plan sitting room, where the furniture selection and placement makes the most of sweeping views in all directions.

Off to the side of the Boffi kitchen is the entertainment room, where the television is hidden by operable chevron-patterned porcelain doors which become a decorative panel above the fireplace when closed.

On the opposite wall, the super-sized Dale Frank artwork presented its own challenges to get up to the 8th floor.

The TIDA judges noted how the overall result is a luxurious retreat that seamlessly blends innovative design with homely comfort to create the ultimate lock-and-leave home.

Designed by: Penny Del Castillo, Studio Del Castillo

Story by: Trendsideas

Photography by: Timothy Kaye