Previously known as 6 1/2 Windmill Street, a NSW State heritage-listed building that has undergone many changes since it was built circa 1855. The design recognises its historical and cultural importance being representative of early commercial activity in Millers Point as it developed into a thriving maritime economy by reinstating its mixed use. 

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The conceptual underpinning of 6 1/2 Windmill Street is to ensure the heritage stone shop sits well within its context and once again interacts with the public. The design recognises the historical and cultural importance of the building in its setting. The mixed-use is reinstated with a residence upstairs and a ground floor design studio and gallery. The front façade including the shopfront and the introduction of separate entries on the ground floor and the balcony on the first floor are refreshing, provides familiarity and allows the building to sit well in its context.

 

The historic evolution of the building has been acknowledged through the retention/reuse of materials such as the reuse of all floorboards throughout the building, and reconfiguring the existing Wunderlich shopfront. Celebrating the stone with the addition of steel, corrugated iron, glass and timber. These materials form a significant part of the building structurally and aesthetically. Whilst they are robust materials, they soften the spaces and allow the stone to be highlighted. 

 

Improving the environmental performance and functionality of the building is achieved by making significant improvements to capture daylight and cross ventilation by the introduction of interconnected spaces, new window and door openings, reinstating the verandah/balcony on the northern façade to provide shade during summer to the shopfront. The building performs particularly well in winter and summer and is passively controlled with ceiling fans and cross ventilation. 

 

The project was undertaken from concept design through to obtaining development approval and Heritage Council approval to construction certificate including the architectural design, statement of environmental effects, heritage impact statement, construction certificate documentation and the archival photographic record through to contract administration.

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