New Ideas for Old Buildings

With the rapid evolution of our lifestyles and the development of new technologies, it is important to find new ways where old and new elements of the built environment can be combined in a balanced way.  However, the fusion of the old and the new in architecture can be controversial.  Many people who like old buildings fear new designs. But often the contrast can lead to a greater appreciation of both the old and the new.

Development is inevitable and so we need to encourage design that is in harmony with the existing character and appearance of our old buildings. The degree of intervention that is appropriate will obviously differ depending on how significant the heritage elements may be.

When planning on work to heritage items certain principles (at a minimum) should be considered such as:

  • Repair rather than replace in order to keep as much historic fabric as possible.
  • If alterations must be made to significant building fabric, make them reversible.
  • Make a visual distinction between old and new.
  • New additions should generally not imitate the precise architectural detail of historic buildings.
  • Ensure alterations are sympathetic to the existing building.
  • Respect the ageing process.
  • Respect previous alterations as these may contribute to the building’s significance. Emphasis should not be placed on one period of development over others, unless it is much more significant.
  • Respect the buildings context and location

These examples may not be to everyone’s taste but we believe, in each case, the architect, in pursuit of design excellence, has retained the heritage significance of the property, combining modern design skills with a respect for the old.

The Old Colonial Period | Colonial Georgian | Regency or Late Georgian | Victorian Gothic | Victorian Italianate or Filigree | Late Victorian or Boom Style | Federation Style | Colonial Revival | The Californian Bungalow | Spanish Mission and Mediterranean | Old English | The Ocean Liner and Streamlined Moderne Styles | Post War International Style | Post War Austere | Sydney School

Inter-War Art Deco 15 June 2020 . architecture, Art Deco, Clare Cousins Architects, heritage, Inter-War Period, Renovation, Semi-detached
Respectfully Austere 10 August 2019 . Anatol Kagan, archiecture, heritage, Kennedy Noaln archiects, Modernism, Renovation, Victoria
Sunburst 02 December 2018 . 1930s, architecture, bricks, Hannah Tribe, heritage, herringbone, House Au Yeung, Old English Style, red brick, suburban, sunburst, Tribe Studios
A Step Up 07 July 2018 . architecture, bricks, Bureau de change, london, Renovation, terrace, Victorian Period
Art Redeco 27 May 2018 . architecture, Art Deco, heritage, inter-war functionalist, Renovation, Sam Crawford Architects
Fluent Spanish 27 May 2018 . addition, Chenchow Little, heritage, Renovation, Spanish Mission
The Barn 09 February 2018 . Adaptive Reuse, airbnb, barn, heritage, hobart, Renovation, ruin, stable, tasmania, workbylizandalex
Keeping To The Plan 29 November 2017 . 1920s bungalow, Bennet and Trimble Architects, garden suburb, Haberfield, heritage conservation area, Renovation
Eye Candy 30 June 2017 . art deco. extension, clinker bricks, heritage, Inter-War Period, woodwoodward architecture
Breeze Blocked 05 April 2017 . 1950s, Architect Prineas, breeze blocks, extension, heritage, red brick, Renovation
Taking Away the Years 19 August 2016 . 1920s, architecture, bungalow, Renovation, Tribe Studios
An Ode to Suburbia 11 August 2016 . 1950s, architecture, heritage, Post-War Period, red brick, Renovation, suburbia, Tribe Studios
Playing With Fire 02 August 2016 . Adaptive Reuse, Atkinson and Conrad, brisbane, Fire Station, heritage, Owen Architecture, Queensland, Renovation
Federation Refreshed 12 March 2016 . brickwork, David Boyle Architect, Federation Period, Marickville, Marrickville Medal, Renovation, roughcast render, Semi
Stepping back into the 60s 25 October 2015 . addition, Bower Architecture, heritage, orange brick, Post War Austere, Renovation, Sixties
A Very Smart Design 09 October 2015 . 19th Century, heritage, Renovation, Smart Design Studio, Victorian Italianate or Filigree, William Smart, Woollahra
Wiston Gardens 12 August 2015 . Double Bay, heritage, ironwork, Luigi Rosselli Architects, Mediterranean, Renovation, sandstone, Sea dragon, Spanish Mission, Spanish Mission and Mediterranean, Wiston Gardens
A Smart Relocation 10 August 2015 . Federation Style, minimalist, pott point, Renovation, Smart Design Studios, spiral staircase, terrace, Tusculum, William Smart
A Touch of Hollywood 27 July 2015 . BKH Architects, heritage listed, Iain Halliday, Renovation, Spanish Mission, Spanish Mission and Mediterranean
Stockbroker Tudor 09 July 2015 . architecture, Hawthorn, Kennedy Nolan, Mock Tudor, modern, Old English, Renovation, Stockbroker Tudor
Full of Grace 08 July 2015 . architecture, Colonial Georgian, georgian, Grace Park House, Hawthorn, heritage, Heritage Victoria, John Gill, Renovation, Rosstang Architects
Black and White 25 April 2015 . Adaptive Reuse, addition, Architects, belgium, contemporary, DmvA, heritage
Hidden Potential 17 April 2015 . architecture, cladding, cottage, heritage, jost architects, prefab, Renovation, The Old Colonial Period
Inside Outside Inside 29 March 2015 . Architects EAT, architecture, Edwardian, extension, Federation Style, Renovation, Victoria
Less can be Moore 23 March 2015 . architecture, heritage, ian moore architects, Industrial Style, warehouse conversion
Revamping a 60s pad 01 March 2015 . 60s, mid century, Post War Austere, tddp architects
M House 29 January 2015 . bungalow, extension, Late Victorian or Boom Style, Make Architecture, Renovation, Victorian Period
Gingerbread House 15 September 2014 . Laura Dewe Matthews, shingles
West End Cottage 14 August 2014 . owen vokes and peters, Queenslander, Renovation, worker's cottage
Seeing a Brighter Side of Paddington 16 July 2014 . Luigi Rosselli, Paddington, Renovation, terrace, Victorian Italianate or Filigree
Streamlined and Modern 12 July 2014 . Art Deco, heritage listed, Nick Bell, Renovation, streamlined moderne
Modernising a Victoria Villa 03 May 2014 . Clare Cousins Architects, Renovation, Victorian Italianate or Filigree, Victorian Villa
Inspired By Grace 06 April 2014 . Federation Period, Federation Style, Grace Cossington Smith, Jorge Hrdina, Queen Anne Style, Renovation
The Anchorage 17 March 2014 . Allan Powell Architects, Renovation, Victorian Italianate or Filigree, Victorian Period
Adding a new layer 02 March 2014 . Hugh Buhrich, Louise Nettleton, Modernist, Renovation, Sixties
More Art and Craft 28 February 2014 . Arts & Craft, Marsh Cashman Koolloos, Renovation
On A Mission 24 February 2014 . Marisa Purcell, Renovation, Spanish Mission
A Singaporean Shophouse 19 February 2014 . Renovation, Shophouse, Singapore
Right on Kew 13 February 2014 . Canny Designs, Federation Period
Cherishing a 60s Roundhouse 06 February 2014 . 60s, Post-War Period, Tzannes & Associates
Celebrating the Bungalow 29 January 2014 . Australia, Inter-War Period, Tribe Studio
A Chocolate Factory Re-invented as an Industrial-Style Modern Family Home 30 November 2013 . Post-War Period, Stephen Jolsen
Our Farm 30 November 2013 . Old Colonial Period, Roth Architects
The New and the Derelict: Respecting our State Heritage 30 November 2013 . state listed, Victorian Period, Welsh and Major
Bold but Not Abrasive 30 November 2013 . Federation Period, Matt Gibson
Enhancing a Conservation Area 30 November 2013 . Australia, Federation Period, Welsh and Major
A Sanctuary 30 November 2013 . Australia, James Russell and Lachlan Nielsen, Victorian Period
A Capacity To Remind 30 November 2013 . Australia, Neeson Murcutt Architects, Post-War Period
A Grand Old Residence gets an Elegant Make-Over 30 November 2013 . Luigi Rosselli, Victorian Period

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“ Old ideas can sometimes use new buildings.
New ideas must use old buildings.”
Jane Jacobs

Modern Heritage Matters