St Peter’s College Big Quad Rejuvenation | Matthews Architects

Learning is always a process of change, and when we are young it is a process of growing and growing up. This new era of the Big Quad precinct has been shaped to support young people who are going through such changes. The design embraces them within a history and a present that they are a living part of, reminding them that there are futures to be valued and stories to be written. Each space captures the movement of light throughout the day and across seasons, the shifting of the living environment around them and celebrates the passage of time. In this way the design celebrates the continuity of human experience and the valuable connection between past, present and futures.

Seaforth | Architectural Projects

Within the dilapidated grand Victorian state listed terrace, former boarding house, the brief was for a new paediatric sleep clinic with the ability to revert the building to a single dwelling use.

This required substantial upgrades to the existing structure and a suite of services, including a lift, and innovative fire and BCA and engineering performance solutions as no original fabric could be removed.

The new works and services were complex and challenging because of the State listing as no original fabric could be removed.

The approach was to restore the building and key spaces and loosely fit new uses into rooms. New work expressed as distinct timber insertions into the restored spaces provide an enhanced legibility of the original plan.

The project recovers the heritage significance of this important state heritage item in Millers Point via an innovative new use that funds the conservation works but is reversible.

Riverbend Repair | Vaughan Howard Architects

River Bend House sits atop an ecologically and culturally significant escarpment on a bend in the Birrarung (Yarra River), part of the Garambi Baanj Cultural Precinct, established and operated by InPlace in partnership with the Wurundjeri Woi–wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation and Parks Victoria.

Designed by Alistair Knox in 1968, River Bend had fallen into a state of disrepair–having been unoccupied for over eight years–prior to InPlace launching this ambitious vision. River Bend now operates as a place of artistic and cultural production for multidisciplinary artists and Wurundjeri.

The original approach to River Bend was ‘repair’, evoking the functional and pragmatic. Since completion, First Nations artists have described River Bend as a ‘healing place’, indeed the notion of healing extends across the project: healing Country, healing disrupted culture practices, and healing the self. The repair of River Bend has provided a safe space for healing journeys.

Rosetta | Architects Nicholas and Associates

Rosetta is locally listed with a heritage residence, originally designed in the Inter War Mediterranean Style with Georgian Influences. The L shaped plan, cradles two sides of the courtyard garden adding to the enclosed nature of the sunken garden, the other two sides are defined by significant trees.

This is a delicate restoration of the house and a skillful re-imagining internally for modern use, creating new living spaces that relate to the rear well established garden and kidney shaped pool. The existing buttressed sandstone retaining wall is extended to create the podium base that supports the house above, five new archways punctuate the new stone wall.

The scope of work is consistent with the Inter War Mediterranean context and the use of sympathetic materials and details mitigates the visual impact of the changes.

Princess Theatre Auditorium Conservation Works | Conservation Studio Australia

The Princess Theatre conservation includes the restoration of the 1922 Henry E. White decorative scheme following the conclusion of the Harry Potter and the Cursed Child for which the entire auditorium was painted black with gold highlights and over–written with text only visible with UV light.

The project included a multidisciplinary team to thoroughly investigate the existing paint schemes to accurately determine colours, treatments and finishes of the 1922 interior scheme. The reinstatement works required traditional painting techniques and specific decorative skills. The project was undertaken in a short timeframe between productions allowing the Theatre to maintain its operational capacity.

The project required a close working relationship with Heritage Victoria throughout the investigative, scoping and delivery phases to ensure that all permit conditions were satisfied.

The restored Henry E. White decorative scheme of 1922 has enhances the richness and overall visitor experience of the Princess Theatre.

Redfern Station | DesignInc

Redfern Station is a transformative piece of urban infrastructure that revitalizes, reconnects, provides universal access and enhances the station and precinct. The new southern concourse and station entries at Little Eveleigh and Marian Streets provide high quality, high amenity places that draw on their rich natural, cultural and built heritage context.

Design cues are taken from Eveleigh’s original wetland landscape as well as its more recent industrial past, with ideas of mist and steam expressed in the perforated cladding, and views framed towards local vistas and the existing heritage buildings. The design also adaptively reuses the industrial warehouse at 125 Little Eveleigh Street as a main entrance. Along with the new public connection across the railway line, shared pedestrian and bicycle zones improve access to local facilities. Thoughtfully combining Indigenous, natural, industrial, and contemporary heritage, the project truly encapsulates the spirit of place, promoting a vibrant local community.

Parramatta North, Western Sydney Startup Hub | TKD Architects

As the site of the first purpose built Female Factory in Australia and over 175 years of mental health care, a key step in re-activating the place has been achieved through sensitive adaptation of buildings and open spaces for a range of new uses. In addition to the Western Sydney Start-up Hub, café and community spaces, opportunities were pursued to enhance public engagement with a place that had previously excluded them.

The design response, led by TKD Architects, was guided by a comprehensive understanding of the place and the need to achieve the design brief through a heritage led decision making process. Adaptation works, including removal of accretions and introduction of new elements, were designed and detailed to enhance appreciation of the diversity of stories that tell us much about the lives of those living in government institutions, helping to ensure that the place’s heritage values are retained and communicated for future generations.

Parramatta Town Hall | DesignInc Sydney, Lacoste+Stevenson, Manuelle Gautrand Architecture and TKD Architects

The revitalisation of Parramatta Town Hall honours its significance as a historic civic hub and gathering place. Led by DesignInc, Lacoste+ Stevenson and Manuelle Gautrand Architecture, the project upgrades the Town Hall to contemporary standards, activates Parramatta Square and Northern Laneway and integrates it with Phive, Parramatta’s new civic hub.

Guided by a conservation management plan, the project respects the tangible and intangible values of the site and recognises its importance to the Aboriginal community. The addition of the Southern Annexe reinforces Parramatta Square’s public role and is designed to respect the significant archaeological site.
Fabric repairs led by TKD Architects include render, plaster and cedar joinery conservation and reinstated historic decorative schemes.

Sustainability measures align with the City of Parramatta’s goals, incorporating renewable energy, recycled construction waste and rainwater harvesting. The project retains and repurposes later additions, reflecting a commitment to heritage and sustainability.

Oroton Offices | Richards Stanisich

In one of Chippendale’s finest warehouses, Richards Stanisich have undertaken a restoration and renovation for one of Australia’s most iconic fashion labels. The building required significant upgrades to ensure it met the standards required of a contemporary commercial building including equitable access, a new lift and fire isolated spaces . Over three levels, Oroton operates within the structure of a historic warehouse. Our design celebrates the building’s history in the rag-trade district of Chippendale and the spirit of a classic fashion atelier.

Mygunyah By The Circus | Matt Gibson Architecture + Design

Conceptually the program is split up into a series of 3 pavilions – the original heritage object, a second pavilion interpretive of the original and a third ground level pavilion containing a dedicated north facing family room that provides direct connection to front and rear gardens.

To the south of the family pavilion the previous green flank is broken up into a series of individual garden ‘rooms’ of differing function. Pierced by apertures, a garden enfilade activates the street and provides a visual link between public and private domains.

Steep roof pitches, asymmetry, exaggerated chimneys and the considered use of brick are inspired by the context of the area and the arts–and–crafts themes found next door.

The overall result is highly customised and tailored, designed specifically as a robust backdrop to this family’s life, and one that delights in the experience of materials and the story of old and new.