Sunset Hospital is one of the metropolitan area’s largest heritage places and has 18 separate heritage buildings within an ‘A’ Class Reserve. This significant site was also known as the Claremont Old Men’s Home and had been vacant for approximately 20 years, following its decommissioning in 1995. In 2013, the Department of Finance commissioned a Sunset Transformation Strategy with the view to developing a blueprint to guide the future use of its assets for arts, cultural, community and ancillary commercial purposes.

Working with the Department of Finance and HASSELL, element’s role was to integrate the site’s heritage values into the overall Transformation Strategy, develop an Interpretation Strategy to showcase historic themes and stories as part of the supporting Landscape Masterplan, prepare Conservation Works Schedules for 18 heritage properties, and develop an adaptive re-use concept for the former Catholic Chapel as a new picnic pavilion.

Our work resulted in a celebration and integration of heritage values. We identified adaptive re-use opportunities and sympathetic interventions. Our interpretation strategy showcases historic themes and stories and we prepared concepts for adaptive re-use and detailed design, including advice on practical delivery of the strategy.

• Conservation management strategy
• Conservation works schedules
• Interpretation plan and strategy
• Heritage architecture and design
• Artistic impressions and perspectives
• Planning strategy and advice
• Statutory and land use planning