The offices of the Anglican Diocese of Melbourne (ADOM) form part of the St Pauls Cathedral which is of architectural, historic and scientific (technical) importance to the State of Victoria and is on the Victorian Heritage Register (H0018). Designed by prominent Melbourne architect Joseph Reed in 1889, the offices were detailed at a smaller scale to complement the adjacent St Pauls’ Cathedral, creating a visually cohesive Gothic Revival precinct within the heart of Melbourne.

Responding to a need to modernise the accommodation of the ADOM while maintaining the beauty of the original building, Trethowan commenced refurbishment works in 2017 with a proposal to reinstate the original building and remove non-original additions and accretions. We adopted Burra Charter principles for the basis of the works, removing modern fabric, partition walls and suspended ceilings - reactivating the existing spaces while retaining original fabric and reinstating lost details wherever possible. This, and the insertion of sensitive modern additions, retained the Cathedral Office’s intrinsic heritage value and provide a contemporary work environment.

Working with the consultant team, we made sure the project abided by all current regulations, which included an upgrade of existing services and the provision of safe access to service areas. Sustainability was also an important factor, with the client driving initiatives that were delivered within the sensitive heritage context, wherever possible. These included the repair and reuse of materials, as well as the introduction of a ‘green wall’ to create an improved working environment for staff.