Wilkinson House Redevelopment

Adaptive reuse and transformation of heritage item to contemporary learning environment

Project Details

Sandrick were commissioned by SCEGGS Darlinghurst as project managers for the redevelopment of Wilkinson House to create contemporary teaching and learning facilities within a much loved but impractical built form.

The project was approved by the NSW Department of Planning as State Significant Development following extensive consultation with the City of Sydney and leading heritage practitioners.

The project involves the full restoration of the locally listed and significant building facades which preserve the legacy of architect Emil Soderston. The original vaulted ceilings, detailed cornices and ornate parquetry inlaid flooring to the vestibule and entrance lobby have been preserved in their original state to reflect and respect the original use of the building. A new glass lift has been incorporated into the approved design to provide equitable access to all areas within the facility.

Internally, the cellular arrangement of the inter-war residential flat building has been transformed into a collection of contemporary teaching and learning spaces which incorporate environmentally sustainable design standards and provide an array of formal, informal and break-out spaces including 2 Sports GLA’s, 9 GPLA’s, meeting and seminar rooms, student support facilities and fully upgraded amenities.

A complex façade retention system was developed to support four existing levels of masonry whilst removing and replacing the majority of the internal structure of the building. The project required technical engineering and construction sequencing to enable the redevelopment of the entire building without impacting adjacent operational teaching spaces.

Sandrick successfully managed the approval pathway, procurement, construction and commissioning stages of this technically complex and challenging project which has restored a unique historical building to create a successful and vibrant teaching and learning facility for the SCEGGS community and restore the original building facades to ensure they continue to contribute to their unique Darlinghurst streetscape.