Yirranma Place

Occasionally a design opportunity arises to weave an extraordinary existing fabric with contemporary technologies. The transformation of the much-loved 1927 First Church of Christ Scientist building in Darlinghurst into Yirranma Place was one of those occasions. The challenge for SJB was to foreground sustainable design principles as a central thread in this tapestry. Achieving this goal required combining expert knowledge of past practices and new technologies with an understanding of modern building code compliances to ensure the new work provides the best environment for its intended occupants. Built in the 1920s in the interwar Beaux Arts style, this beautiful building was first utilised as a gathering place for the First Church of Christ Scientists. In the 1980s it was purchased by a private developer and transformed into his own private residence. Private ownership limited public viewing and access to structures and grand interiors of the past. Sensitively adapted from its original function to offer flexible spaces for a range of functions from galleries and event spaces to meeting rooms and incubator hubs, the new building accommodates for all patrons with a focus on accessibility and diversity. Enduring, low maintenance technologies underpin a refined internal environment crafted to inspire and clearly communicate the Foundation’s goal of eradicating inequality and disadvantage within Australia. Existing functions of the building are treated sensitively so they can be enjoyed by current and future generations, offering fascinating glimpses into the building’s past uses. Many presented challenges to modern ESD requirements and all are successfully resolved in the completed development. The original pipe organ - the largest in the southern hemisphere, has been reconditioned and a new plant room is devoted to its functioning. All furniture and heritage items such as unused doors were recorded for either re-use in the project or future storage. The lower ground floor parquetry, for example, was carefully removed and retained and re-used on the new floor of the same space. A key civic gesture is the south-eastern portico off Liverpool Street, which is retained for public access and viewing. Visitors enter here as they did in the past to access the Grand Hall and café, but today encountering a remarkable new public art commission by Uncle Badger Bates, a Barkandji man whose work inspired the foundation. Bates teaches young people about Barkandji culture and is widely recognised and respected as an activist and advocate for the health of the Barka, the Darling River. Bates not only designed the iron gates to the portico but has also painted a sky full of stars onto the portico soffit, creating an indelible story of earth and sky with these two planes. Light touch interior renovations reflect a guiding principle to acknowledge and celebrate past forms through a sequence of beautiful spaces sitting within the existing shell - new additions are sculptural, robust and respectful of the heritage fabric.