Krause Grampian Blue bricks from Robertson's Building Products Pty Ltd drove the materiality of an extension project at a heritage home, resulting in an architectural masterpiece for the owners. The Glassford Residence showcases the versatility and warmth of Krause Grampian Blue bricks.

The 1970s heritage residence was a dark old house with the owners desirous of introducing light and green garden glimpses inside; the client also sought to extend the back half of the home to accommodate the family’s changing needs.

Alison Dodds Architects cleverly transformed the cold and tired house into a light-filled, welcoming family home, while carefully preserving the period features of the original Edwardian house. Principal Architect Alison Dodds explained that they opened up and enlivened internal spaces, creating glimpses of the garden.

The restrained yet sophisticated material palette of locally made 230 x 110 x 76mm Krause Grampian Blue bricks, natural Chalford limestone and metallic charcoal metal cladding, all beautifully complementing the original red brick and stucco house, is an outstanding aspect of the extension project.

According to Eve Edwards, Architect, Alison Dodds Architects, they had seen Krause Grampian Blue bricks in the John Wardle-designed Lake Wendouree House and felt the great appeal in the variation in colours. The architects chose this particular Krause brick not only for its simplicity and low maintenance, but also for its ‘playful chameleon-like appearance that adjusts with the changing light of the day’. These bricks were installed on the façade of both the new extension and the garage.

Alison explains that the Krause bricks just have that bit of warmth to them that makes them special. The bricks not only are beautiful on the façade and provide a great colour variation, but also create that lovely connection to the red brick on the front of the house.

Glassford Residence is a perfect example of the brick’s versatility and the creative use of a traditional brick in a cutting edge, contemporary design.

The architects worked with Robertson’s Building Products on the project with several site visits ensuring some of the bricks could be custom-cut at various angles for the corners on the ground level of the house.

Photographer: Alex Reinders