Victoria
Traditionally, there are two ways of embedding thermal and acoustic functionality into a poorly performing building; build a contemporary extension to the rear (that performs as desired) or line the interior of the old building with new walls. The existing fabric of Ackmans House, a patchwork of bluestone, red brick and timber, was too precious and rich in history to conceal with a layer of internal lining. So we opted for a new strategy, which was to consider the existing conditions as ‘context’. Context is often thought of as things outside of the site – external conditions – that remain untouched. We adopted the same thinking for the heritage parts of Ackmans House; a set of outer walls in which any new building would be setback. A series of new, pod-like buildings are nested within the warehouse, containing the acoustic and thermal separation required for a residential dwelling.
Maia Cookson, Project Architect
Rob Kennon, Design Architect
Cogent Acoustics, Acoustic Consultant
JRL Land Surveyors, Land Surveyor
Lovell Chen, Heritage Consultant
Metro Building Surveying, Building Surveyor
Meyer Consulting, Structural Engineer
The Australian Institute of Architects acknowledges First Nations peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the lands, waters, and skies of the continent now called Australia.
We express our gratitude to their Elders and Knowledge Holders whose wisdom, actions and knowledge have kept culture alive.
We recognise First Nations peoples as the first architects and builders. We appreciate their continuing work on Country from pre-invasion times to contemporary First Nations architects, and respect their rights to continue to care for Country.
