At Maddox Street, the brick façade of a heritage building had reached a critical state of deterioration. Loose and fractured bricks were beginning to detach, creating a direct risk to pedestrians below. Beyond safety concerns, the damage also threatened the building’s architectural character and heritage significance.

This project required a solution that respected the building’s historic fabric while restoring the façade to a safe and durable condition.

The Challenge

• Public Safety Risk – Bricks becoming dislodged and falling toward the street.
• Heritage Integrity – Works needed to preserve the original detailing and character of the façade.
• Advanced Deterioration – Corbels, joints, and cracks heavily degraded, requiring both repair and rebuild.

Approach

Atomic Projects implemented a carefully detailed heritage restoration program, balancing safety, compliance, and conservation.

Scope of works included:

• Brick Repointing – Renewing mortar joints across the façade to rebind the brickwork and seal weathering points.
• Brick Replacement – Removing dilapidated units and installing new bricks chosen to match original profiles and finishes.
• Crack Stitching – Installing stainless steel helical bars and grout to stabilise cracked masonry while maintaining the original appearance.
• Corbel Rebuilds – Reconstructing heritage corbels to maintain both structural support and architectural form.
• Protective Resealing – Applying breathable protective coatings to extend the life of the restored façade.

Execution

1. Site Safety & Protection
   • Pedestrian exclusion zones established to eliminate public risk.
   • Careful staging allowed safe access while maintaining street activity.
2. Façade Stabilisation
   • Loose and unsafe bricks systematically removed.
   • Cracks stitched with stainless steel reinforcement to tie and stabilise weakened sections.
   • Corbel areas propped and rebuilt with historically sympathetic detailing.
3. Restoration Detailing
   • Brick joints fully repointed with heritage-compatible mortar.
   • Replacement bricks laid with careful attention to colour, bond, and texture.
   • Protective sealant applied to resist moisture ingress while allowing the façade to breathe.

Outcome

• Safety Secured – Falling brick risk eliminated, façade stabilised.
• Heritage Preserved – Original detailing and proportions retained through sympathetic methods.
• Longevity Achieved – Structural stability restored with crack stitching, corbel rebuilds, and protective sealing to reduce future deterioration.

Project Significance

This restoration reinforced the importance of heritage-sensitive remediation: urgent safety issues were resolved without compromise to architectural integrity. By combining modern masonry reinforcement (crack stitching) with traditional restoration practices, Atomic Projects ensured the façade at Maddox Street will continue to stand as both a safe and culturally significant structure in its community.