Shaping a building is a very personal thing. People want to be inspired by a building, therefore the style needs to be reflective of that. We don’t input our own style into our work. Instead, we act as the hands of our clients, working closely with them to ensure their aesthetic and functional aspirations are achieved, through our understanding of form, materials and aesthetics.
Services
At Trethowan Architecture, we approach the practice of architecture, interiors and heritage consulting with an interpretive and analytical process derived from the requirements of each client and site. This approach combines inquiry and research, problem solving, and the refinement of material expression.
Architecture
Interiors
The choice and quality of an interior defines our everyday experience within our working or living environment. By having an understanding of our client’s needs, we are able to deliver an interior style to fulfil their requirements, and create a sensory experience that they can enjoy.
Heritage Consulting and Design
Australia has many remarkable heritage sites both natural and manmade. As we continue to progress, the spaces around us change, which in turn influences the nature of these heritage sites. Our heritage consultants help clients manage these changes, empowering them to make informed decisions on how to move ahead with renovation, restoration and renewal.
Heritage services overview
Tap a heading below to read more.
- Pre-Permit Advice
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Whether at feasibility stage or in need of some direction in regard to heritage matters, our Pre-permit Advice is tailored to the specific needs of your proposal. To assist, we will review the documentation provided, undertake a site inspection and any necessary research to identify key considerations and make recommendations to achieve a good heritage outcome. The advice will be provided both verbal and in written format.
We can also assist with the co-ordination and attendance at a pre-application meetings with the responsibly authority.
This service is complemented by our Town Planning Permit and Heritage Victoria Permit services.
- Conservation Advice
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We can provide a wide range of technical services to assist you with the conservation, restoration and maintenance of your heritage asset, our team of consultants and architects are on hand to guide your project every step of the way.
- Town Planning Permit
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To assist with a town planning application we can provide a Letter of Support to Council regarding heritage matters. To provide this, we will review the proposal, make recommendations to achieve a good heritage outcome and once recommendations are incorporated into the proposal we will finalise the correspondence ready for submission.
We can provide a Heritage Impact Statement as part of a town planning permit submission or has been requested by Council post submission.
Where an approval has been issued and requires the satisfaction of conditions, we can assist in regard to heritage related matters.
In the event of a permit being refused, we can act as an Expert Witness, for heritage matters.
This service can complement a proposal by others or by our own Architectural Services.
- Heritage Victoria Permit
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Where a proposal or works are planned to a place of state significance, we can provide Pre-Permit Advice, prepare a submission to request a permit exemption or a permit for works to Heritage Victoria. When a permit is required, our service extends to proving a Heritage Impact Statement, ongoing liaison with Heritage Victoria and assistance with advertising.
Where an approval has been issued and requires the satisfaction of conditions, we can assist in regard to heritage related matters.
In the event of a permit being refused, we can act as an Expert Witness for heritage matters.
This service can complement a proposal by others or by our own Architectural Services.
- Heritage Impact Statement
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When required as part of a Town Planning Permit or Heritage Victoria Permit, we can provide a Heritage Impact Statement (HIS) to assist the responsible authority in determining the extent to which the application, if approved, would affect the cultural heritage significance of the place.
To produce the HIS, we undertake an initial review of the proposal provided and make recommendations to achieve a good heritage outcome. Once the recommendations are incorporated into the proposal, we will assess the works against the local or state heritage policies and good heritage practice; as informed by the Australia ICOMOS Burra Charter, 2013 and other sources. The HIS will be provided in a report format to accompany the submission.
- Investigation / Assessment / Studies
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Where works are proposed to a heritage place, the works need to be based on a through understanding of what is important about the place and this often requires investigation. Our Investigation service can provide this understanding and can be tailored to a specific component, an individual structure or complex of structures. Typical investigations relate to determining the history of a building or complex of buildings, or determining original or early paint finishes.
Our team of consultants are on hand to assist with any assessment of significance. Whether at local or state level, we can provide a high level opinion or in-depth investigation and analysis to inform on works or to seek protection. We can also provide peer reviews where a second opinion is sought.
In situations where a wider study is required to inform on a proposed precinct for example or development of an understanding around a certain building type, we have a range of in-house skills to assist.
- Expert Witness
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Our experts are on hand to assist with any heritage related matter that goes before a Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT), Planning Panel or Heritage Council.
When approached to assist with such matters, a review of the proposal will be undertaken to determine if we can support the proposal going forwards. Where we can, we will provide our expert opinion in our written evidence and deliver this opinion at the hearing.
- Conservation Management Plan
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A Conservation Management Plan (CMP) is a document that guides the conservation and management of a Heritage place. Aimed to be a tool for owner's or manager's of a heritage asset, the document should identify what is significant about the place and have policies that guide any propose change or works. Our team of consultants are skilled in developing these documents which can be tailored to individual or a complex of structures.
Whilst CMP's can be a standalone management tool, it can also complement Masterplanning or Asset Management type projects.
- Masterplanning
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Our team of consultants and architects are on hand to assist you with the management of your property. Whether the property is heritage listed or not, we can assist by contributing to an overarching strategic direction, developing frameworks and producing guidelines to best manage the heritage asset. This service is generally complemented by our Conservation Management Plan and Asset Management services to gain an holistic view and provide sound direction
- Asset Management
- Our team of architectural and heritage professionals are on hand to assist you with the management of your property. Whether the property is heritage listed or not, we can assist by undertaking audits or condition surveys, developing maintenance plans or in the case of a heritage asset, provide a Conservation Management Plan.
- Interpretation
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We can provide an interpretation strategy which directs how an interpretation scheme can be developed and implemented. We are able to assist with the research and writing of content, design of the interpretation method, liaison with statutory bodies and oversee the installation
Like to know more?
If you have any questions about how we might work together, simply drop us a line.