Heritage listed houses are an important part of the architectural history of Adelaide and Australia in general. Owning a heritage property comes with many benefits such as incorporating a piece of history into a property owner’s daily life, however when it comes to renovating a heritage house, there are some important considerations that first need to be made.
There exists a range of different heritage listing types, from UNESCO’s World Heritage listings to national heritage, commonwealth heritage, state heritage, and local heritage. When it comes to designating a heritage status, the City of Adelaide will generally consider how the property’s features contribute to the value of the city in regards to history, architecture, design qualities, and built form character.
This may include the entire building including some of the interior rooms and features, or it may simply include the exterior of the property such as the front of the building facing the street.
If you are considering carrying out renovations on a listed heritage property, make sure to take the following points into consideration:
This may include the entire building including some of the interior rooms and features, or it may simply include the exterior of the property such as the front of the building facing the street.
If you are considering carrying out renovations on a listed heritage property, make sure to take the following points into consideration:
While minor repairs often do not require council permission, renovations do, so make sure to submit your renovation plans for approval to your local council or heritage council.
Understanding the structure and style of the building means that your renovations can be built around the original design of the home to combine historical aspects of the building with a contemporary feel. This is even more important if your project is focused on restoration where internal features such as floorboards, ceilings, and more need to be replaced.
Once you have obtained council permission, designed a plan for your renovation, located any asbestos or lead-based paint, and matched your renovation plans with the property’s period and style if required, you will then need to locate an architect, designer, and/or builder with a proven track record of working with heritage buildings.
Consider a range of multiple candidates, and make sure to check the person’s reputation both online and with previous customers, ask to see their past work in the area, and review their licenses to ensure that they are all up to date.
Once you have obtained council permission, designed a plan for your renovation, located any asbestos or lead-based paint, and matched your renovation plans with the property’s period and style if required, you will then need to locate an architect, designer, and/or builder with a proven track record of working with heritage buildings.
Consider a range of multiple candidates, and make sure to check the person’s reputation both online and with previous customers, ask to see their past work in the area, and review their licenses to ensure that they are all up to date.