Items Tagged ‘Victoria’
Knox Church Residence
Project Name:
Knox Church ResidenceLocation:
Elsternwick, Victoria, AustraliaCompletion Date:
2009Original Use(s):
churchNew Use(s):
private residenceProject Description:
History
Established by John Knox, The Kirk was built in 1867 in the Melbourne suburb of Elsternwick. The building features brick polychrome which was at the height of its popularity during its construction. Alternating cream and umber brick mark the gear-tooth points and wrap the building in tiny quoins. The church became an icon for the community with its style being mimicked in a nearby substation as well as homes.[1]
(Re)Developer
The team at Williams Boag Architects (WBa) has expertise in architecture, planning, urban design, and interior design. With a focus on a sustainable future, WBa has handled a number of adaptive reuse projects since their founding in 1975. Some of their adaptive reuse projects include the conversions of the Melbourne GPO Building (post office to retail hub), the Ancient Times House (warehouse to affordable youth housing), and the former Uniting Church (church to apartments).
Outcome
Through the adaptive reuse process, WBa was able to retain the shell of the church as well as the original flooring. Even the original pulpit remains in the new home, moved only about 10 feet. The interior now includes segmented rooms within the large space of the church. A new garage was added separate from the church while a carport was attached to the family room.[2]
This once community space for worshipping has now been repurposed for the benefit of a single family. While the community may have lost a gathering space, the surrounding area has been strengthened by the retained style and new life of the conversion.
[1]Australian Design Review
[2]Australian Design Review
Images courtesy of Sonia Mangiapane.
Rock Bay Plan Passes Muster
Project Name:
Rock Bay Plan Passes MusterLocation:
Completion Date:
Original Use(s):
New Use(s):
Project Description:
A proposal to convert a former warehouse in the Rock Bay district of Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, is moving forward after planning and land-use committee recommended the proposal go to public hearing. The plan calls for a rezoning to turn the former warehouse last used as a kayak retail and rental outlet into a ground-floor commercial building with 25 one-bedroom and studio apartments on the top two floors. The apartments would be owned and managed by the Greater Victoria Housing Society and rented to low-income singles most likely working in low-wage or entry-level jobs. “The rezoning covers both 555 Pembroke, recently renovated for office use, and 575 Pembroke for the commercial/apartment development. Allowable ground-floor uses would include offices, bakeries, financial institutions, retail sales, call centres, drycleaners, restaurants, high tech and artisan trades. The same zoning would apply to 555 Pembroke but residential use will not be allowed.” The building at 555 Pembroke was built in 1914 as a B.C. Electrical Trolley office and repair shop while 575 Pembroke, built in 1939, has been used as a machine shop, warehouse, light manufacturing and retail space.
The Malthouse
Project Name:
The MalthouseLocation:
Richmond, Victoria, AUCompletion Date:
1996Original Use(s):
grain silosNew Use(s):
apartmentsProject Description:
History
This building originally served the community of Richmond as large grain silos.
(Re)Developer
The old grain silos were redeveloped by Nonda Katsalidis of Fender Katsalidis Architects in Southbank, Victoria.
Outcome
Unofficially referred to as the “Crown of Thorns” thanks to the new capping, these large towers are now home to a number of apartments. They are a stark contrast to the surrounding area of low-rise housing. With a single apartment per floor, the added structure contains the living areas while the original silos house the sleeping and services spaces.[1]
[1]Fender Katsalidis Architects
Images courtesy of Grollo and Wikipedia.