Peppermint Grove house a nominee in Heritage Council Conservation Award

27/5/03 The restoration of an early 1900s Peppermint Grove residence in Forrest Street is in the running for a prestigious architectural award for best practice in heritage conservation.

27/5/03
The restoration of an early 1900s Peppermint Grove residence in Forrest Street is in the running for a prestigious architectural award for best practice in heritage conservation.
The project, co-ordinated by Craig Steere Architects, is a nominee in the Heritage Council Conservation Award category of the Royal Australian Institute of Architects (RAIA) Architectural Awards, to be announced next month.
The award recognises achievement in conservation, restoration or development of a commercial, community or domestic project that maintains the heritage integrity of a place.
The restoration of the Peppermint Grove residence was one of seven nominations for the award.
Environment and Heritage Minister Judy Edwards said the project, once earmarked for demolition, was an example of how a place could be restored to retain the character of a historic residence while creating a modern, liveable space.
In reviewing award entries, Dr Edwards noted:

  • prior to the current owner's purchase of the place in 2002, the house was in a neglected state and had been the centre of a debate to overturn the local council's refusal to demolish the property;
  • in recognising the value and potential of the historic place, the owners and architects embarked on a project to accommodate living requirements, while enhancing the original character of the building and the gardens;
  • originally a single-storey red brick Colonial Bungalow built in the early 1900s, various additions over a period of years had resulted in poor flow and access between spaces, as well as inconsistency in architectural detailing with a collection of periods present;
  • while 75 per cent of the internal spaces were required to be gutted, the existing external proportions and materials were maintained; and
  • to retain the structural integrity of the existing fabric, the second storey addition was engineered to be independently supported. Colours and interior designs were specially selected so as not to detract from the original character of the home.
Other nominees include: Methodist Ladies College Centenary Building Cupola - Slavin Architects; Meerilinga House - Cameron Chisholm and Nicol (WA); Church of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Mullewa - John Taylor Architect; Clifton - Ian Dewar and Associates; Perth Town Hall Stage 1 Refurbishment - Cox Howlett and Bailey Woodland in association with Hocking Planning and Architecture; and Perth Oval Gates - Considine and Griffiths Architects.
The winner of the Heritage Council Conservation Award will be announced at the RAIA Architectural Awards Gala Ceremony on Friday, June 6.
Minister's office: 9220 5050