Central to the work of architect, senior heritage consultant and associate principal Suzanne Zahra is the assessment of the scope for adaptation of heritage buildings, particularly post-War structures. She often works on the adaptive reuse and/or refurbishment of large scale heritage complexes, such as university campuses. In recent years, she has been working on the delivery of heritage services in relation to many of Melbourne’s major infrastructure projects.

Suzanne’s work often starts at the strategic level, helping determine strategic direction and then delivering on specific projects. This ensures that the wider context — the whole place — is considered. She looks for outcomes that balance heritage value and the client’s future vision with factors such as the extension of the life/purpose of a building, minimising embodied carbon and energy use, community attachment and indigenous connections.

A gifted communicator and skilled collaborator, Suzanne sees architecture and heritage as integrated aspects of the built environment. Both are about people, and connection with, and understanding of, place. It’s all about continuity. As a heritage consultant, she places a lot of importance on engagement with the design disciplines in the service of highlighting heritage values.