Client
Equitibuild
Location
Newtown, New South Wales
Completed
2008
Completed
$4 million
Role
Structural engineer
The Crago Flour Mill on Gladstone Street is one of Newtown’s longest standing heritage buildings.
Since its original construction in
1896, the mill has been continually restored and altered. At its peak, the mill ran 24 hours a day, milling three different kinds of wheat.
In 1984 the mill ceased operation, and was converted into artists’ workshops. For the next 20 years it was used by painters, sculptors, musicians, glass makers, dancers and many other creative people.
Our role
Woolacotts formed part of a highly skilled team to create a series of 47 unique commercial studios, each with their own innovative design and creative flair.
Woolacotts was engaged to document repairs due to a lack of maintanance over many years, as well as alterations required for its adaptive re-use.
Our engineers undertook detailed site
investigations and developed ways to minimise the visual impact of any new structure to
maintain the history of the building.
Great attention was given to preservation of the numerous heritage fittings such the as the drive shafts, wheels and pulleys.
Project challenges
Latent conditions exposed during the
construction phase, such as corrosion of
steel framing and termite damage, required Woolacotts to provide expert advice at short notice.
Woolacotts was then appointed to develop rectification details to ensure the project remained on progress.
With both heritage and environmental concerns, the studios are a model of contemporary recycling and renovation, creating an inspiring
work space for the numerous creative occupants.
An exceptional outcome
The Crago Flour Mill studios now represent a wonderfully conserved and revitalised piece of Newtown’s history.