H+H Architects were engaged by the Shire of Coolgardie in 2019 to lead the grant-funded adaptive reuse of the Post Office Complex, a large group of Public Buildings constructed over a number of building campaigns in the Federation era, featuring local stone and masonry with ornate classical detailing. As part of the design of the remediation works to the Coolgardie Post Office Complex, H+H Architects developed a detailed Heritage Interpretation Strategy which captured a broad range of cultural heritage values, including: preservation of the heritage fabric of the historic building and structures, memorializing the stories and history through high-quality static displays and capturing days gone by through state of the art Augmented Reality experiences. Ascend Films were engaged by H+H architects, and with the assistance of local historians and Aboriginal elders, three short films were produced reflecting on the Coolgardie Post Office’s place within the community. H+H Architects, in partnership with Judamul Advisory Aboriginal Corporation, commissioned local artists to combine and create a painting to be displayed within the complex.

Photographs: Shane Cullen

IN PROGRESS

The Carnarvon Heritage Group (CHG) engaged H+H undertake the design for conservation and adaptive re-use works to the existing 1912 Elevated Water Tank at the One Mile Jetty site in Carnarvon. This would allow this unique heritage asset to be made safe for use as a ‘look-out’ that affords views over the nearby Gascoyne River and nearby riverine landscape, but more importantly, over the Carnarvon Heritage Precinct, which includes the partially de-constructed Jetty, the Lighthouse Keepers Quarters, the tramway (which connects through to the Fascine) and the other remaining buildings and structures associated with the operations of the One Mile Jetty. H+H working alongside engineer Peter Baxendale, have designed and documented a replacement staircase and viewing platform to allow the existing structure to be used as a tourist look-out.

Following an arson attack in 2016, H+H Architects were engaged by Realforce Pty Ltd to develop design and future use options for the old Premier Hotel, balancing substantial challenges relating the building’s deteriorated condition against new compliance requirements and the need to maximise future use flexibility. H+H Architects developed a range of different options for this historic landmark, investigation the feasibility of upgrading hotel and motel facilities against options for a new licensed function and dining venue. Negotiating with the City of Albany to ensure a positive outcome that greatly improved the aesthetic presentation of the Hotel, as well as the amenity of the rear carpark and proposed realignment of Grey Street to reinstate 2-way traffic, H+H Architects developed a concept which allowed for reconstruction of the original two-storey timber framed verandah, removal of the old motel units and first floor hotel rooms and substantial interior refurbishment to create a high quality licensed venue.

The community response to the newly completed Premier Hotel confirms the success of our strategy, which was to re-imagine the place as a vital and attractive landmark on the main street of the Albany CBD, and to maximise its amenity, outlook and future use options.

Photography by Lee Griffith.

H+H Architects lead a team of specialist maritime engineering consultants, recently completing a three year project for the design, documentation and construction of the Replacement Jetty in Esperance. Extensive community consultation and stakeholder engagement was required due to the social and historic values of the original Tanker Jetty, and its longstanding contribution to the Esperance community’s sense of place.

H+H Architects were responsible for all phases of the project delivery including development of the concept design, obtaining heritage approvals, cost control, detailed design and documentation, as well as implementation of the heritage interpretation strategy, which resulted in the high quality and attention to detail that characterises the end result. H+H Architects lead the way in developing innovative and creative solutions on this challenging heritage site, achieving much needed community ‘buy-in’ at the completion of the project.

Photography by Lee Griffith.

This project involved Heritage Architectural design services for a major revitalisation to repair and upgrade 11 building facades along the main street of Throssell Street, Collie. H+H designed and managed all aspects of conservation, restoration, reconstruction, replacement, and interpretation, balancing the need to retain cultural heritage values, whilst upgrading the buildings which have outlived their original functionality. Reinstated verandah’s, exterior painting, and new signage were the key design elements that contributed to the success of the major aesthetic upgrade to the streetscape.

Photography by Kai Ridley.

This project involved the interior refurbishment of a 1895 school, to transform the building into high quality and modern work space which is generously proportioned and features contemporary textures, patterns and colours that are also sensitive to the heritage fabric. With the old fitout removed, spaces are now filled with natural light, calming colours and organic materials that creative a positive working environment for staff and visitors alike. Security and acoustic control has also been addressed with the design of the interiors and new services.

The mechanical services have been cleverly concealed in the sub-floor, ensuring that the space is well ventilated and air-conditioned without compromising spatial layout or aesthetics with plant or equipment. Similarly, modern slimline LED strip lighting has been introduced throughout to provide even lighting in large spaces, accommodating a variety of activities to each space. Specially designed  'pods' have been inserted into the large Central Assembly Hall, including two meeting rooms which  provide private spaces for client meetings, and a staff hub, which combines all the staff amenities in a central gathering zone. The careful zoning of spaces in the old school buildings has allowed for the creation of distinct public and private spaces.

As the original main street and commercial hub of Albany, Stirling Terrace is recognised as a highly significant streetscape of Victorian and Federation era buildings overlooking Princess Royal Harbour.

In 2014, a significant investment was made jointly by the Heritage Council of WA, the City of Albany and a number of individual property owners to upgrade the setting and appearance of Stirling Terrace in time for the ANZAC Centenary celebrations that took place in Albany in November 2014. A number of conservation projects were undertaken at this time, including repainting, facade repairs and the construction of a number of reconstruction or interpretation verandahs to the heritage buildings along Stirling Terrace. H+h Architects was engaged to deliver the project.

We worked with a number of individual property owners to upgrade building facades and undertake conservation works, and also assisted the City in providing heritage advice as part of the streetscape improvements to this State heritage-listed precinct.

Photos courtesy of Lee Griffith. 

This historic Albany building was once created as a house for the Headmaster of the adjacent local primary school. The building overlooks the Alison Hartman Gardens, and displays traditional period features such as ornate pressed ceilings, timber floorboards and decorative archways. The building has recently been refurbished to create a number of offices for The Education Department, with a combination of old and new detailing, this building accentuates the character features whilst providing contemporary workspaces, a meeting room and kitchen. 

The former Denmark Hospital is a complex of buildings with high cultural heritage significance that was in operation from 1924 until its closure in 2009. The building has recently been restored and revitalised and has now become a community space for local groups and touring exhibitions. 

The primary challenge of this adaptive reuse project was creating spaces that meet modern requirements without compromising the heritage fabric of the building. The restoration works in the buildings were undertaken in a manner sympathetic to the original construction methods and vernacular architectural style of the site, and has produced a flexible and contemporary space for the community. 

This project involved alterations and additions to a State Registered Heritage building to convert a workshop and Caretaker’s residence into a high end restaurant and destination Cafe. With panoramic views of the harbour and coastline, the building maximises glazing and seating in the new addition, and highlights the double volume existing shed space where the loft mezzanine was removed.

Garrison highlights the blend of old and new that allows the restaurant to relate to both the Old Forts and the new National ANZAC Centre, and takes maximum advantage of the magnificent views of the Princess Royal Harbour.

Alterations to the previous Forts Tearooms were also undertaken to create a Gift Shop, Gallery space and Administration Facilities, with a new timber verandah surrounding the stone building as it would have historically been. 

H+H Architects has had over 10 years involvement at Breaksea Island. H+H led an experienced team with expertise in cultural heritage, history, maritime history and maritime and land based archaeology to prepare a Conservation Plan in 2008. Following the completion and adoption of the Conservation Plan, H+H Architects worked with the Department of Environment & Conservation to implement conservation and restoration works to the existing buildings to facilitate renewed and sustained use of the buildings as eco-tourism facilities.    

Various works have been undertaken over the past 19 years at the Vancouver Arts Centre, including remodeling of the old Nurses Quarters, Pottery Shed, the Weavers Room and the surrounding grounds. Heritage advice has also been provided on the maintenance of the Centre. 

This project involved working with the Gnowangerup Aboriginal Corporation to remodel and refurbish an old culturally significant house to provide a Heritage Centre that displays the story of Aboriginal people in the Gnowangerup area over the past 100 years.

David Heaver worked as part of the team who prepared the Conservation Plan for this significant heritage icon in the centre of Albany. The plan addressed the future use and conservation of the building and significant interiors. Following the completion of the Plan it was used to guide the adaptation of the buildings for use as a regional centre by University of WA. The project involved the remodeling of the Old Post Office to provide Teaching and Administration facilities for the University of Western Australia. 

Previous works undertaken by H+H include conservation of the existing building and refurbishment of the internal space as university facilities. H+H also undertook the design and documentation of a new science facility designed to sit sympathetically adjacent to the original building.  

The Albany Waterfront Interpretation project is focussed on the site of the former Albany Town Jetty and adjacent foreshore.  The Jetty was demolished as part of the development. Our vision was to create a project with a strong community focus and ownership and one that utilised elements from the demolition of the old jetty.  To achieve this aim, in consultation with LandCorp we purposely set about assembling a team of mostly Great Southern consultants, artists and artisans that encompassed a wide range of creative skills.

Albany's former Quarantine Station was first established in 1875, and, strategically located on Vancouver Peninsula on the opposite side of the harbour to the townsite, demonstrates early attempts to control the introduction of contagious diseases from newly arriving visitors and migrants into Western Australia.

With its advantageous views and somewhat remote location, the place is better known as a holiday and recreation camp for young West Australians, and H+H Architects has a long association with the site, providing ongoing heritage advice and conservation strategies for the managers of the facility.

The Round House is a prominent icon in Mount Barker. The structure comprises a single storey, flat roofed, circular residence constructed of steel and lightweight materials in the Post-War International style of architecture. When built, it had the ability to revolve through 180 degrees to track the path of the sun, a unique building in regional Western Australia.