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About the project
Key Details
- About The Project
Restoration and conservation of an 1840s farmhouse dwelling and reinstatement of the landscape setting of the house by the removal of highly intrusive interventions done when the house was converted into CSIRO offices and laboratories in the 1960s and the reconstruction of the western wing. Primarily the Blaxland house was converted back into a stately residence.
- Project summary
The Hermitage is an 1840s colonial farmhouse. It was built by John Blaxland and several additions were done to it by the Nicholson family. Over time, the house developed from a simple four-bedroom colonial farmhouse into a U- shaped compound of various building components. In the 1960s, the house was converted into scientific laboratories by CSIRO which caused major components of the house to be demolished. It was the job of Heritage 21 to remove all the intrusive elements undertaken in the 1960s and convert the premises back into a home by restoring all the remnant fabric including the landscaping.
This heritage listed item constitutes one of the oldest buildings in Australia dating back to the 1840s. Its original construction comprises very fragile fabric including sandstone, brickwork, timber, slate and plant species. All the fabric had to be treated very carefully due to its sensitive nature. Throughout the project, Heritage 21 worked closely with the builder to ensure that the buildings and the gardens were fully conserved.
- What was done
The house was completely conserved. All intrusive fabric added in the 1960s was removed. The entire overgrown front garden was cleared to reinstate the original representation of the Hermitage to its views and vistas across the valley all the way to Homebush.
- Time frame
From 2009 till 2015. (6 year-long project)
Services provided
- Participation on site with the builder for a period of 7 years while the project ensued
- Involvement in all major decisions regarding conservation and new work
- Sandstone Condition Assessment and Remediation advice
- Input into the landscaping and the reinstatement of the gardens
- Minuting of all on-site meetings throughout the construction period
- Management of all introduced new fabric in the heritage context
Why was the work undertaken?
The conservation of the Hermitage was linked to development on a sub divided portion of the original Hermitage farmhouse complex. A condition by council was the Hermitage be conserved satisfactorily prior to permission being granted to the developer for the construction of 32 town houses on the sequestered portion of the land. This provided great incentive for the developer to become involved in the conservation works given the need to put the 32 town houses on the market as soon as possible. However, the project was not pressured, and a period of 6 years was granted to the builder to get all the details right. Heritage 21 provided the guidance to the builder with a highly positive result.
Who was the work completed for?
The developers for this project are Sheree Waks and Dia Gabra from Maksim Holdings and the builder for the project was Hany Sewires.
Outcome
Tremendous reversal of highly intrusive elements carried out to the building since 1840 and reinstatement of the original front and rear gardens from a highly overgrown condition. Heritage 21 was able to reinstate the gardens using photographic evidence available from the early 1900s. The archaeology revealed the presence of a well which was also reinstated. The basement of the house, which is now a cellar, was originally where the 1840s convicts were kept overnight.
A highly positive result was achieved for this project. It represents one of the most prestigious jobs for Heritage 21 given its age dating back to the 1840s and its tremendously important place in Australia’s colonial history being a typical 1840s farmhouse with convict basement and bedroom attic along with all the traditional materials and building methodologies of the day. This project taught us a lot about early construction, and we have used this invaluable information to inform our approach and working methodology on other similar farmhouse buildings in NSW.
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