Kaurna
South Australia
The conservation and redevelopment of the historic Fort Largs into a local produce market is the first time in its 140 year history that the site has been opened to the public. Built in a bygone era in response to perceived threats, Fort Largs represents an important chapter in South Australia’s early defence strategy. By their very nature, Forts are designed to be concealed from view, and difficult to access. The site’s redevelopment overcomes these challenges with a welcoming and well considered new building that links through to the Fort via a tunnel under the historic earth embankments. The site’s revitalisation, along with painstaking conservation works, has created an ironic new hub for the local community, and secured the ongoing care and cultural activation of this once inaccessible and generally forgotten historic treasure for generations to come.
My vision was to establish a local food and produce market in the local area, with a mix of high quality offerings and rustic charm, like many of the successful European and Middle Eastern markets and bazaars. The depth and layers of history at the Fort presented the perfect site, albeit the site is hidden from view and hard to access. The new building was the perfect solution to this, providing a spacious and welcoming entrance with flexible space for high quality tenants. In the short time since opening its been heart-warming to see the communities engagement with the site.
Jason Schulz, Design Architect
Andrew van Zanten, Project Architect
David Holland, Pier Review
Emily McKendrick, Graduate of Architecture
Chris Dalgairns, Senior Technician
PEET Limited, Developer
Moto Projects, Project Manager
ASPECT Studios, Landscape Consultant
CPR Engineers, Structural Engineer
BESTEC, Services Consultant
Chris Sale Consulting, Cost Consultant
Future Urban, Town Planner
TF Certifiers + Consultants, Building Certifier
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.
