CORA

WBa congratulate CORA and Mouratoglou Tennis Academy on today's announcement of entering a long term project partnership. This milestone agreement between these two visionary companies establishes the foundation of a great sporting and educational project in regional Victoria.

WBa is proud to have worked with these organisations over several years in the lead up to this moment and look forward to the ongoing design and technical challenges ahead.

PROCESS - New Tricks, Heritage and Adaptive Reuse Architecture

WBa was invited to discuss the Former Bendigo Mining Exchange project at PROCESS's event 'New Tricks' hosted at Loop Bar. Peter Williams and project architect Sean Earl presented and fielded questions alongside Lloyd McCathie of Kerstin Thompson Architects and Tina Tan of Lovell Chen. The discussion focused on the richness of heritage adaptive reuse, the evident challenges and the connection these projects can provide.

AIA National Architecture Awards

WBa is excited to announce that the Bendigo Former Mining Exchange received The Lachlan Macquarie Award for Heritage Architecture 2021 at last nights 2021 Awards broadcast.

Jury Citation:
"In a lecture in the 1980s, architectural historian Ian Sinnamon coined the aphorism that would typify his immeasurable influence on conservation and heritage practice: “do as much as necessary but as little as possible.” This maxim has become part of Australia’s heritage conservation lexicon and is exquisitely exemplified in the works undertaken by Williams Boag Architects to this important building in the city of Bendigo.

Heritage buildings are the storytellers of who and what we once were. Ensuring that they are lovingly and carefully treated promises continuum of that legacy. Heritage Victoria’s Statement of Significance for this building notes both its 1872 Mining Exchange use and its use by Allans Music in 1927, when the arcade opened. In the deft hands of Williams Boag Architects, these tales and more reverberate in the conserved work. It exhibits a deep understanding of many readings of the word “time,” beyond an abstract and academic proposition and into technical detail; this is strangely rare in the context of heritage buildings. Many things are changed but, rather than delivering a new work, the project respects the historical interventions and layers while being incredibly deferent to the original architect, Charles Webb.

This project goes beyond an understanding of history to develop an understanding of the story of the building; a deeply reflective strategy about the weathering of forms is evident. The work undertaken displays both an enormous affection for the building, its meaning and story, and an intense desire to envision its ability to be useful for the future while enabling a deep and caring interpretation of the past. In the words of the insightful and appreciative client, “The dance between compliance and aesthetics of a heritage-listed building was a challenging task that required clear thinking and creative solutions. It’s not until you sit back and review the project that you appreciate the transformation from a neglected, dark, pigeon-infested site with intrusive elements introduced over many years to a sensitive and spectacular representation of the history of the building.” The architect has woven together the acts of interpretation, restoration, conservation and reinstatement to execute an exemplar of heritage practice."

We would like to thank the client Craig Lightfoot, the sub consultants including; Osborne Consulting Group, BCA Engineers, A.S James & Before Compliance, quantity surveyor M P Cordia & Associates; DBG Projects the Principal Building Contractor and their team; Heritage Victoria and their dedicated officers.

All photography by Fred Kroh.

Peter Williams joins RMIT's Talking Design Podcast

Peter Williams joins Stephen Crafti to discuss the Former Bendigo Mining Exchange on RMIT's Talking Design Podcast. Available to stream through Apple Music and Spotify through the link below.

https://www.rmit.edu.au/news/podcasts/talking-design

WBa awarded the John George Knight award for Heritage Architecture

WBa is proud to announce that The Bendigo Former Mining Exchange received The John George Knight Award for Heritage Architecture 2021 at the Victorian Architecture Awards last Friday night.

The jury noted “This fine interpretive restoration acknowledges the importance of both the original mining exchange function and the later retail arcade. The jury was impressed by the elegance of the interpretive works, attention to detail within strict budgets and the public benefits of the reopened arcade. The project is an exemplar of sophisticated design revealing original Italianate forms, colours and details, truly astonishing in richness and texture. It is this approach of quiet preservation and revealing of the historic palimpsest which sets this project apart.”

We would like to thank the team of sub consultants including; Osborne Consulting Group, BCA Engineers, A.S James & Before Compliance; DBG Projects the Principal Building Contractor and their team; Heritage Victoria and their dedicated officers and quantity surveyor M P Cordia & Associates. It was a privilege to reveal what was underneath the years of tenancies and work with such a dedicated client in delivering this project.

Shortlisted - The Bendigo Former Mining Exchange

WBa's restoration and renovation of the Bendigo former Mining Exchange has been shortlisted in the heritage category for the Victorian Chapter AIA awards. Completion of the works to the Former Bendigo Mining Exchange within the Beehive Building Complex involved the interpretation, restoration and reinstatement of heritage fabric from two key use periods, those being; the 1872 Mining Exchange and 1927 Allans Music Store and associated Allans Walk Arcade. Of importance was the reinstatement of the long first floor void to allow natural light from the first floor Gallery glazed roof to once again illuminate the central ground floor area returned to its full width under this project.