Billilla Mansion is an extensive and elaborate Victorian-era residence originally designed by architect Walter Butler in 1878. Sited within a picturesque garden, Billilla Mansion is tightly held and treasured by its local community.
Lovell Chen are working with the City of Bayside, supporting their redevelopment aspirations to improve access to and the amenity of this much loved local landmark. The process involves close collaboration between our heritage and architecture team and Council.
In 2022 we prepared a conservation management plan, to provide Bayside with clear guidance on managing the future life of the Mansion, outbuildings and landscape. Historical research revealed the mansion’s rich social and architectural history and has informed the masterplan to transform Billilla Mansion into a hub for culture, arts, community and hospitality with the open gardens playing host to markets, music performances and garden parties.
Our design sympathetically converts the domestic layout of the Mansion for public use, working strategically with our client to plan a multi-year staged construction that would prioritise immediate repair works to avoid further deterioration of the building, align with funding milestones and critically, be feasibly delivered from a constructability and compliance standpoint.
Bayside City Council
Ongoing
Ongoing
Walter Butler
Melbourne/Naarm
Bunurong people
Our approach is informed by a deep understanding of the place, including detailed conservation works scoping and undertaking a thermal comfort analysis to assess the impact of our proposed building fabric upgrades such as roof/floor insulation and window draught sealing/double glazing. This analysis provided accurate design heating/cooling loads for sizing the new air-conditioning plant accordingly and reducing its bulk - an important factor for a heritage building which is viewed in the round.
Embedded in our client's brief is the need to design for operational flexibility, adopt a sensitive response to the integration of modern emergency services to achieve code compliance, and ensure accessibility upgrades make this an inclusive place for all. Since its initial inception as a mansion, Billilla has undergone substantial modifications to support evolving uses including as a school and community building. The agglomeration of this varied history is reflected in its design, and we have embraced this palimpsest of stories with our light touch approach.
The first stage of the works including the upgrade of the artists’ studios and construction of the new amenities block in the garden is underway.
Michael Cook
Associate Principal
Tina Tam
Associate Principal
Libby Blamey
Senior Associate
Adaptive reuse of a significant historical and cultural asset to the City of Whitehorse
Survival of this remarkable world heritage status building is a result of its continuous use as a viable exhibition hall
Securing the future of the place through site wide regeneration
A deliberately restrained restoration of Tower Hill Visitor's Centre designed by Robin Boyd
Will and Olivia were scoping chimneys at Melbourne's former Records Office, a landmark built in 1900-04 to protect Victoria's vital records, as part of ongoing conservation works
RHSV staff took us through the Former Army Medical Corps Drill Hall
Congratulations to Senior Associate Libby Blamey – winner of best peer-reviewed article by Professional Historians Australia!
Lovell Chen has been providing conservation and heritage services to the mansion since the 1970s and we are proud to continue our association with the site
Zoe, Will, and Max are undertaking inspections at the Parkville Campus as part of the University's annual audit program to guide the planning for building conservation, maintenance and capital works
Celebrating ANU’s 80th anniversary and the reopening of University House, Lovell Chen proudly delivered conservation-led design and heritage services, preserving its character for future generations.
Kate introduced PIA VIC Emerging Planners to the opportunities available when choosing to integrate heritage conservation with contemporary city development.
Lovell Chen is leading roof and façade restoration works on historic Scots' Church Melbourne, repairing timber structures, stonework, and slate roofing to preserve the 1874 landmark
Audrey and Kendra were privileged to attend the ceremony led by Elder Paul House, Ngambri-Ngunnawal custodian of the Canberra region
hecklers, recounts and a very close contest
Suzanne will discuss best practice in the adaptation and reuse of historic buildings at the former Collingwood Tech complex – also home to our tailor-made facility for Circus Oz
Associate Principal Stuart Hanafin spoke at the Trades Hall opening, highlighting the restoration of century‑concealed honour boards and celebrating the building’s enduring union heritage.
How do you put modern services into a building that has handmade nails holding the floors together?
As lead author of QHeritage: Designing with Heritage Places, Director Adam Mornement attended Brisbane Open House's launch event.
We've enjoyed another annual Lovell Chen Trivia Night - this time led by quizmaster debutant Angus.
