Design in context
What makes good design in heritage areas?
New design to heritage place e.g rear extensions, solar panels are encouraged when they are sensitive to the cultural significance of a place.
The conservation of our built heritage can often rely on reuse, renewal and extension of buildings.
Places of cultural heritage significance are protected by inclusion in the Victorian Heritage Register or Heritage Overlays (HO) managed by local governments.
Being in a Heritage Overlay or on the Victorian Heritage Register does not put a full stop on the potential of a building for new development.
Case studies
We collected some excellent examples of successful good design in heritage areas in Victoria.
They are intended to aid and inform planners and heritage advisors. They may also be of relevance to owners, developers, architects and heritage consultants.
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Strathtulloh
The homestead at Strathtulloh was built around 1869. It is of architectural and historical significance and is listed on the Victorian Heritage Register.
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Glenylon Church
The project, designed by the architectural firm Multiplicity, was for the adaptive reuse of a former church into a single residential dwelling.
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Berwick Primary School
The project involved the conversion of Berwick Primary School building and grounds into a community centre, cafe and public park.
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Excelsior Hall
Excelsior Hall is the adaptive reuse of a local hall for community housing.
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Former customs shed
Partial refurbishment and partial adaptive reuse of a former customs shed as a frozen and live tank storage facility, and as public toilets.
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Former Daylesford Convent
Refurbishment and conversion of a former convent and girls boarding school to an art gallery, café, restaurant, bar and boutique accommodation.
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Former records office
The project by Peter Elliott Architects involved the refurbishment and modification of the former Records Office to facilitate the adaptive reuse as the Victoria University School of Law
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Former Yarra Park primary school
The project included the adaptive reuse of a two storey public school building for residential apartments and residential infill, including terraces, cottages and apartments, on what was the school grounds
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Hepburn Springs Bath House
Alterations to the Hepburn Mineral Springs Spa Complex to increase the operating capacity while maintaining the cultural heritage of the original building and grounds.
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Worker's cottage
The building, designed by Leeton Pointon Architects, is a contemporary addition to a worker’s cottage in a heritage precinct.
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Drumcondra House
An energy and water efficient extension to a 1921 Californian bungalow-style house.