Embracing Mediterranean aesthetics in Sydney's Sutherland Shire with Heirloom

Designed in collaboration with DKO Architecture, Heirloom marks Anglicare Sydney’s first-ever restaurant venture, bringing an elevated hospitality experience to both residents and the broader community.

Drawing inspiration from the coastal surroundings and Mediterranean influences, the design vision was shaped to embody warmth, connection, and a strong sense of place. With a carefully curated aesthetic that honours the history of Anglicare’s patrons while appealing to a wider audience, Heirloom is set to achieve a delicate balance between comfort and sophistication.

In this interview, DKO Senior Associate Emma Greenstein shares insights into the creative journey, challenges faced, and the innovative design choices that are bringing Heirloom to life. From spatial planning to material selection, the project reflects a deep commitment to both form and function.

Architecture & Design: Can you describe the initial vision for this project and how it evolved over time?

Emma Greenstein: DKO’s initial visions was a ‘Sun Kissed’ Mediterranean atmosphere, inspired by the coastal geographic location, branding and future menu. Gathering, connection and the community’s history was an overarching theme that came hand in hand, Anglicare’s vision for Heirloom.

Heirlooms design was a result of celebrating Anglicare patrons’ history, while embracing Woolooware Shore’s coastline.

What were the biggest challenges you faced during the design and construction phases, and how did you overcome them?

Our biggest hurdle was ensuring Heirloom had a strong identity to entice external patrons, while simultaneously considering Anglicare patron’s requirements and needs, both ergonomic and environmental.

Heirloom is a place for Anglicare residence to feel at home, while also inviting outside visitors to share in the love of food and community within a cohesively designed and considered space.

The spatial layout has been designed to enhance the ability for residents to gather and connect, while simultaneously allowing for smaller settings of external patrons to enjoy the space and surrounds. The interior finishes and furniture have been carefully curated to align with the mediterranean atmosphere, while ensuring durable and comfortable for all.

How did you ensure that the project met the client’s needs and expectations?

Anglicare’s intent of providing a space for gathering and community, to allow residents to connect with their families as well as providing an atmosphere which allowed for new connections was at DKO’s core design intent.

To ensure this was achieved we worked through multiple iterations of spatial planning and reviewed this continuously throughout the design process both internally as well as with various stakeholders within the client group.

The outcome, is a considered space which re-enforces the overarching inspiration as well as client requirements through spatial planning, and carefully selected and curated finishes and details to create a wholistic approach, providing ‘A Mediterranean Haven, where warmth and flavour unite’.

Were there any unique or innovative techniques or materials used in this project?

Heirloom’s intent was to create a warm and inviting space for patrons to gather and connect with each other as well as the past.

The Interior spatial design was driven by celebrating Anglicare patrons’ history through a curated selection of ‘heirlooms’ dappled throughout the space to represent valued past treasures while paying homage to the name.

How does this project fit into your broader portfolio and design philosophy?

At DKO, our design representation within the Built Environment landscape is to ensure we deliver projects that are timeless, meticulously considered and designed with the end user in mind; from the initial experience and design intent of a space, through to practical details and materiality.

Heirloom is set to open in late 2025.

Visuals supplied