Heritage Renovation · Darlington, Perth Hills WA
Gilks Bakery
Wine Bar
Project Overview
Celebrating history
for new generations.
The Gilks Bakery Wine Bar is a carefully considered renovation and addition to one of Darlington's most significant heritage buildings — the old Darlington Bakery, reputed to have operated until 1947 and on the Shire of Mundaring Municipal Heritage Inventory. The project is as much about community as it is about architecture.
Rather than erasing the building's history, the design adds a new layer to it — celebrating the original fabric while creating a place for new generations to gather, eat and connect. The result is a small wine bar and fine dining experience that reinforces the natural grain and character of the Darlington Village.
Concept
To remember, renew and preserve — the best way to ensure the ongoing role of a heritage place in the community is to use it.
Old and new in
careful dialogue.
The design carefully balances old and new — preserving the original verandah columns, bracings and beams of the 1930s bakery as the hero of the space. The original verandah serves as both a welcoming function and congregation space, a nod to its original programmatic purpose. V-shaped columns distinguish the new addition from the old without competing with the heritage fabric.
Two large fixed entry windows carry a digital print of the old Darlington map — connecting the historic values of the space and mapping the journey of the old Bakery along the train station route. An entry courtyard with a green wall softens the surrounding space and reduces ambient noise, while an entry airlock minimises noise from the interior to the surrounding residential properties.
The best way to preserve a heritage place is to give it a living purpose — to use it, celebrate it, and share it with new generations.
This project involved early engagement of an acoustic engineer, traffic engineer, waste management consultant, bushfire specialist and on-site wastewater management consultant — a comprehensive consultancy process ensuring the development would not adversely affect the amenity of adjoining properties or the broader Darlington community. The venue is oriented around the car park rather than the residential properties to the north, with activities focused on the internal space for noise management.
Design features
built into every detail
Heritage Fabric Preservation
Original 1930s verandah columns, bracings and beams preserved as the hero of the space — the new addition celebrates rather than erases the building's history.
Darlington Map Entry Windows
Two large fixed entry windows carry a digital print of the old Darlington map — connecting the historic values of the space and mapping the journey of the original Bakery.
V-Shape Column Language
New V-shaped columns distinguish the contemporary addition from the original heritage fabric — a clear dialogue between old and new without competition or imitation.
Entry Airlock for Acoustics
An entry airlock minimises noise transfer from the interior to adjoining residential properties — a considered acoustic response to the sensitive village setting.
Green Wall Courtyard
An entry courtyard with a living green wall softens the surrounding space, reduces ambient noise and creates a welcoming transition between street and dining room.
Community-First Planning
Early engagement of acoustic, traffic, bushfire and waste management consultants — a thorough community-sensitive approach ensuring the venue serves Darlington without disrupting it.
Have a heritage building
or commercial project?
Studio Origami brings the same rigour and sensitivity to commercial and heritage projects as to our residential work. Book a strategy session to explore your project.
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