The Switch, Kensington
The project
Location: Kensington, Sydney on Gadigal Country
The Switch student accommodation project in Kensington, Sydney required Artefact’s Built Environment and Heritage Interpretation services to integrate heritage-listed houses into a modern design to accommodate 259 students while conserving the area’s heritage.
The four level, 259 bed project had the unique challenge of integrating dual heritage-listed Victorian terrace houses (c. 1896) into a modern design and build. With the project being classified as a State Significant Development, additional care was required to meet heritage conservation standards and regulatory requirements.
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Hayball Architects
Decode
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Built Environment
Statement of Heritage Impact Report
Heritage Interpretation strategy
“The design respects the local heritage character of the area while the landscaping celebrates, and respectfully acknowledges, a range of Aboriginal artefacts found on the site.”
— Hayball Architects
Heritage solution
Built Environment Recommendations
Detailed schedule of conservation works for the preservation of internal and external heritage elements such as leadlight glazing, cast iron balustrades, tessellated tile paving, decorative ceiling, cast iron fireplace, French doors and chimney pots.
Statement of Heritage Impact Report showing how to minimise the impacts of installing intrusive, but essential, fire upgrade works to the heritage elements of the original terrace houses.
Heritage Interpretation Recommendations
Student brochure at the front desk telling the unique story of flint from the River Thames being used by the Aboriginal community for stone tool production; and how the late 1900s dwellings were used by staff from the nearby Randwick Racecourse.
Acknowledgement of Country feature at the foyer and Indigenous artwork “Walk in Good Spirit” by Murrawarri artist Joe Hurst embedded into the concrete pathway at the entrance.