Case Studies
We have selected just a few great examples as case studies of successful adaptive reuse projects from Australia and overseas to demonstrate what can be achieved when good design, planning and creativity are managed well. We draw our inspirations from projects like these with a vision of replicating the success these adaptive reuses have brought to their communities and the places themselves.
Adaptive reuse is the process of modifying a place or building for a compatible alternative purpose while retaining its cultural heritage value. A good adaptation is sympathetic to the place, its existing components and its historic context, and one that makes changes that enhance and complement the identified heritage values of the place.
Guidelines issued by the NSW Heritage Office have this to say about adaptive reuse:
“Cities and towns across the state invariably benefit when their buildings are creatively designed and functional. (…) Alongside that, we need to protect the history and character that makes our state unique. Adapting heritage buildings to creative new uses helps to achieve both these goals. Put simply, heritage buildings need to be used to be appreciated and provide the greatest value to the community. Once a building’s function becomes redundant, adapting it to a new use provides for its future.”
(New Uses for Heritage Places – Guidelines for the Adaptation of Historic Buildings and Sites – NSW Heritage Office, NSW Department of Planning and the Royal Australian Institute of Architects (NSW Chapter))
The Mint, Sydney (NSW): Originally built as Governor Macquarie’s ‘Rum’ hospital for convicts, adapted in 1855 to become the first branch of the Royal mint outside of London, and further adapted more recently to be the home of the NSW head office of the Museums of History NSW, a library and research centre, café and venue hire spaces.
Pentridge Prison, Coburg (Victoria): heritage listed penal establishment from 1851. Adapted to hotel accommodation, restaurant, function space, wellness, cinema, retail (food, beauty & more), bars (including a wine bar) & outdoor spaces.
Liberty Hotel, Boston (USA): Former Charles Street Jail, adapted to hotel accommodation, dining & events space.
Oxford Prison, Oxford Castle (U.K.): Former Oxford Prison, adapted to hotel accommodation, dining and events space. Now known as Malmaison Oxford.
Eveleigh Railway Yards, Eveleigh (NSW): Former locomotive, railway & carriage workshops located in Eveleigh, adapted for multiple uses such as events and function spaces, dining, café, bar, markets, gym, retail, arts spaces, restaurants, commercial tenancies and more.
Eveleigh Railway Yards, Eveleigh (NSW): Former locomotive, railway & carriage workshops located in Eveleigh, adapted for multiple uses such as events and function spaces, dining, café, bar, markets, gym, retail, arts spaces, restaurants, commercial tenancies and more.
Eveleigh Railway Yards, Eveleigh (NSW): Former locomotive, railway & carriage workshops located in Eveleigh, adapted for multiple uses such as events and function spaces, dining, café, bar, markets, gym, retail, arts spaces, restaurants, commercial tenancies and more.
