Conservation and adaptation works based on conservation management plan, extensive stakeholder consultation and painstaking research

The extraordinary volcanic landscape of the heritage-listed Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve — a raised outer rim enclosing a lake and large islands of cones and craters—is located in south western Victoria. In the centre of the main island is a Mid Century visitor centre building (opened 1971), designed by Robin Boyd (1919-1971), with an accompanying amenities block by the Public Works Department.

In an intriguing adaptation project that followed our preparation of a Reserve conservation management plan, plus extensive stakeholder consultation and painstaking research, we adopted a less-is-more approach to the refurbishment of the Visitor Centre and reinvention of the amenities block. A number of complex interrelated factors came into play, including the significance of the Reserve and its history of occupation, degradation and renewal; the wishes of the traditional owners; the need to work with and protect Boyd’s legacy; and a commitment to sustainability issues.

In the original brief, the Amenities Block was slated for demolition and replacement with a new building. Using our in-house embodied carbon calculation, we calculated the embodied energy of the existing building and confirmed that the stone and concrete structures constituted 77% of the overall figure. Through our historical research we identified that the stone was locally sourced limestone from the area and no longer available due to the closing of the quarry. Lastly, the building held significant social significance being associated with community stewardship to regenerate the reserve.

Based on this understanding, strategically we kept the stone and concrete structures intact and adapted the building around this. During construction, all stone removed from the building was salvaged and reused in the extension of the Amenities Block. As a result, no new stone was required - an important sustainability and heritage outcome.

Through our co-design process with EMAC, we have developed a suitable brief and delivered the adaptation of the Visitor Centre and the Amenities Block to provide a base for EMAC as joint stewards of this reserve. The buildings will provide space for exhibition/interpretation space, retail and education for school groups or tours. These programmes are important aspects of EMAC’s strategy to reinforce their presence on Country, engage with and create jobs for indigenous people, and educate the wider community.

A key symbolic move has been the placement of the eel trap sculpture within the ceremonial heart of the Visitor Centre. Through our co-design process the sculpture had been placed in various spots around the precinct, before settling in this location. It represents the equal importance of the Robin Boyd-designed heritage building along with EMAC’s presence on Country. The eel trap sculpture was commissioned by EMAC to a local indigenous artist and is currently in production.