Construction is now underway to convert a former women’s psychiatric hospital in Jacksons Hill, Sunbury, into a dedicated community arts and cultural precinct.
The project involves the adaptive reuse of a heritage-listed former female refractory ward building (1879) and a 1960s outbuilding into a precinct that accommodates an art gallery and community theatre along with various studios and workspaces for creatives. Designed by Architecture Associates and Openwork, the precinct will be unified by a vast public landscape, featuring a network of paths and community gathering spaces.
According to a communique from Architecture Associates, the design team worked closely with heritage advisors, Heritage Victoria and the community to design a precinct that was “sensitive” to the history of the site, which was originally developed as an industrial school in 1864, redeveloped in 1879 as a psychiatric hospital and later used as a training centre for people with disabilities between 1962–1992.
The design team described their approach to the adaptive reuse elements of the project as “light touch.” The former female refractory ward building, known as Building 22, is anchored by large corner rooms and an axial plan that pivots around four large courtyards. As part of the project, these corner rooms will be adapted into large public spaces, such as a new art gallery and potters’ workshop, while smaller rooms will be converted into studios and workspaces.
The communique noted that the light-touch approach enables upgrades to be undertaken “without obscuring prior usage histories, and [while] maintaining structural, material and formal qualities throughout.”
The original central dining hall will be converted into a flexible performance space, providing a 100-seat venue for community use. The release noted that this space will feature stage curtains, tiered seating, new lighting equipment with audio-visual capabilities, and window coverings designed to deliver full blackout and improved acoustic performance.
A new annexe building will connect with the central hall, creating a flexible event space. This proposed annexe features two inverted skillion roofs that extend outward from the original verandah roof, preserving the existing structure entirely. On both sides of the theatre annexe, two large platforms are designed for events to spill out onto.
Architecture Associates co-director Sam Hunter said the upper facade of the annexe will be clad in textural terracotta, panels and custom ceramic tiles produced by the local arts community. Hunter noted that the design aims to embrace “making” and craft wherever possible to reflect the precinct’s role as a hub for the arts.
The 1960s outbuilding will be used as a community worker’s shed.
The landscape design, developed in consultation with Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung, includes new garden beds, gathering spaces, a lookout and opportunities for First Nations artworks to be embedded. A strategic network of paths intend to improve pedestrian flow and accessibility throughout the precinct.
Mark Jacques of Openwork stated, “We hope that the landscape of the Sunbury Community Arts and Cultural Precinct creates a destination that preserves and celebrates Sunbury’s significant cultural heritage while for the first time acknowledging Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung ways of living on Country.”
The precinct is anticipated to open in late 2025.
Source: Architecture - architectureau
