HERITAGE CONSERVATION

JCA is committed to conserving the heritage built environment & considers it a socially responsible approach. 

A respect for the cultural, historical and architectural significance of places which shape our collective identity are best seen as being more than the built heritage. They includes stories, memories and living expressions of society which attach an intangible cultural significance to that place. 

Historical context is understood through research, impact assessment and conservation planning, to ensure that interventions are informed, thoughtful and sensitive. 

Good heritage conservation balances tradition with innovation, whether reconstruction or restoration, adaptive reuse or an addition, the goal to retain the original heritage place must address the needs of contemporary users and comply with the regulatory framework.

Working closely with stakeholders including First Nations, historians, landscape architects, archaeologists and many others, ensures decisions respect the past while planning for the future. 

Sustainability is at the heart of our conservation ethos. Re-purposing existing buildings contributes to a sustainable built environment in  reducing demolition while retaining embodied energy within that structure. 
Heritage-led regeneration retains its cultural significance while fostering vibrant, connected and meaningful spaces. 

Our conservation team was mentored by & collaborated with the late David Sheedy (b. 1938 d. 2018) on an array of projects. David was a widely respected figure in conservation circles, playing a key role identifying, conserving and adaptively reusing heritage sites across NSW. David also volunteered, making a significantly contribution to the Conservation Division of the National Trust of NSW, conducting research and compiling background information for more than 1,000 properties to be considered for classification on the Trust’s Public Register. In recognition of his dedication, the Trust honoured him with the Lifetime Achievement Award for heritage conservation in 2018. 

JCA provides a full range of conservation services on local and state heritage listed buildings, check out our selected heritage works here >

The Scots College Brighton Preparatory School

 01 CONTEXT 

JCA’s design approach is founded in respect for a site’s historical and cultural significance.  Conservation comes with constraints that demand thoughtful, well-detailed solutions grounded in the site's heritage values. Understanding a heritage place requires a multifaceted approach that focuses on an existing structures & significant fabric, while considering the spatial arrangements, the interplay between buildings, site and surroundings, sightlines and remnants of past uses. 

Intervention should respond to the prevailing scale and character of the surroundings, respecting height, massing, density and texture of the existing heritage fabric.

02 AESTHETIC

There is no definitive aesthetic for heritage settings—new designs can embrace diverse interpretations and rich architectural expressions, while retaining the significance of the heritage item. JCA’s approach is adaptable, ranging from traditional or vernacular styles to contemporary design.

03 ADAPTIVE REUSE

Adaptation modifies a place to support a new use. It may include upgrades or additions to support contemporary standards of amenity and functionality, or upgrades to support new operations and requirements.
Adaptive reuse breathes new life into a heritage item by introducing thoughtful changes and additions that allow it to serve new functions while conserving its heritage value and significance for generations to come.

 04 RECONSTRUCTION 

A significant portion of our conservation work involves reconstruction and restoration of significant fabric. Archival records: drawings, photographs, documents are examined so that the earlier know state is well defined & understood. The process is supported through stakeholder engagement and collection of oral histories.

05 NEW WORK

New development should be approached with sensitivity to its historic surroundings. It must be guided by understanding and thoughtful analysis of the area's character, significance and heritage value. New additions should deliver meaningful benefits to occupants: enhanced accessibility, improved life and fire safety measures, contributions to the streetscape and neighbourhood—to enrich the experience of the broader community through cultural and historical connection.

06 SUSTAINABLITY

A core design strategy involves adapting and conserving heritage sites with sustainable design initiatives to reduce operational carbon emissions and whole-of-life embodied carbon.  The approach may incorporate passive heating and cooling, use of thermal mass, improved natural ventilation strategies, solar energy systems and rainwater harvesting, thoughtfully integrated to respect and preserve the integrity of the heritage item. Equally important is the selection of high-quality, durable materials to extend the building’s lifespan and support conservation. 
Read more about our sustainability commitment here >

"Respect is about understanding a building’s essential qualities and retaining them. Respect and innovation should be joint partners in the exercise, not mutual enemies."

HERITAGE CONSERVATION

Check out our heritage conservation work here >