Most of the original building was restored, as the architects worked to respect and enhance the heritage features. Pressed metal ceilings and fireplaces were revived from an almost irreparable state, while windows and timber fretwork were painstakingly rebuilt to their original glory. The large garden to the north of the site was also something to be celebrated in the new design, with guests walking through the garden, past the heritage part of the house, to get to the new addition.

Red brick was selected as the material for the rear addition, creating a robust and powerful structure that echoes the original brickwork. “We needed the new part of the house to be in harmony with the old building, which is well-loved and certainly contributes to the street,” Madeleine says. At the core of the new design is a dramatic spiral staircase made of concrete and steel, which anchors the ground-floor living spaces and establishes a theme of sculptural simplicity.

Inside the pavilion, the motif of red brick is paired with white walls and ceilings, silvery terrazzo floors and rich walnut veneer. Red hues serve as a unifying element, manifesting in stones, leathers, timbers and textiles. The highly-curated selection of furniture, lighting, objects and art is as dynamic and captivating as the architecture, while also maintaining a sense of comfort and liveability – an important balance that needed to be struck in order for the family to feel completely at home.