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Client: Peppers Hotel Group
Location: Hunter Valley, New South Wales, Australia
Situation: Crawford Architects ran across a newspaper article describing the upcoming demolition of a building erected in 1909 for the Convent for the Brigidine Order, serving them for over 80 years. We knew we had to do something, and in short order.
Solution: With little time to organize, a new function and client had to be quickly identified. We discovered that the internal organization of the building permitted the creation of enough bedroom suites for the transformation into a small guest house. Relocated some 500 kilometers to its new home amongst the vineyards of the Hunter Valley, the Convent was fully restored by the Peppers Hotel Group into an 18 room guest house of grand proportioned interiors in the federation period and gothic styled exterior detailing.
Quick Facts: Few buildings of this size have ever been relocated long distances. To facilitate the planned removal process and legal requirements for road transport, the Convent had to be dismantled and divided into four separate single story sections, each to be removed separately.
Closing Arguments: With the complete rebuilding of its verandas and porches, the addition of a tennis court, pool and spa with cabana, this guest house repossess its former dignity and represents an element of Australia’s architectural heritage for all to enjoy. |
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