The Gadigal people of the Eora nation
NSW
281 Clarence St is a state-heritage listed former police station building, designed by then colonial architect James Barnet in the late 1800s. Originally 1 storey, it was subsequently added to by Barnet, and then further again by then government architect Richard Wells in the 1920s. It served as a police station until the mid-1980s when it was sold and converted into a private residence and offices. Since the mid 2000s, 281 Clarence has been the home of the Gaffa Creative Precinct, including maker spaces and an art gallery.
In 2018 Supercontext were engaged to undertake the complete refurbishment of the building which, after 30 years, was in need of upgrade to meet contemporary standards. The project developed further to incorporate a new outdoor roof garden, to be used as an extension of the art gallery as an outdoor garden and exhibition space.
The completion of this project has been transformative for our operations. The rooftop extension and communal garden have created a dynamic new space for exhibitions, events and collaboration, fostering a renewed curatorial approach that has intrigued both artists and audiences alike. The historic unveiling of the building has brought fresh energy to our programming, attracting greater engagement from creatives. Meanwhile, our commercial tenants appreciate how the renovations have enhanced the building’s original charm while adding significant value. This project has been a rare opportunity to contribute to the public life of the city, and its impact has been profound.
Andrew Daly, Design Architect
Colette Hortle, Project Architect
Ellie Skinner, Graduate of Architecture
Eduard Fernandez, Graduate of Architecture
Rob Meyerson, Graduate of Architecture
Alex Jones, Graduate of Architecture
Weir Phillips Heritage, Heritage Consultant
Cantilever Consulting Engineers, Structural Engineer
Centric Engineers, Services Consultant
BCA Logic/Jensen Hughes, Building Surveyor
SGA Fire, Engineer