Nestled in Sydney’s Eastern suburbs is Iririki House, a large family home with over a century of history that encapsulates the best of Victorian and Federation architectural styles. In what can only be described as a fusion between these two styles, this home was built in 1907, adding unique unrivalled charm to the property.

Spanning almost half a decade, the project brief was clear; transform this centurion into a spacious family home that caters to the needs of a modern lifestyle, without detracting from the heritage nature of the original build.

To achieve this, it was evident an annex would need to be attached to the house to cater to the needs of the family of seven.

Paying homage to the original red brick façade, Madeleine Blanchfield Architects chose to continue this materiality into the new space, to create a sense of uninterrupted flow, and to harmoniously blend old with new.

With their signature elongated profile, Krause Emperor bricks in a warm Autumn blend were selected by MBA to be heroed in the new addition. The continuity of the singular, iconic material ties the past and the present together seamlessly, while providing stability and practicality for the next one hundred years and beyond.

Krause Emperor Bricks also feature inside the family home, wrapping the walls of the common spaces with their earthy red and brown hues, creating a sense of warmth and calm.

Central to the design of the home, is the sweeping white spiral staircase – gatekeeper to the first floor, stopping guests in their tracks. An incredible focal point of the grand lounge space, the juxtaposition of the staircase against wall-to-wall Krause Bricks brings a hyper-modern touch to the space.

Every touchpoint of the home, whether old or new, has been thoughtfully designed to consider its impact, acknowledging both its heritage past and need for contemporary family living.

Iririki House becomes an important case study on how we can preserve the past without neglecting the future, and how considered quality materials are the gateway to balancing those efforts.