The final stage of the restoration and adaptation of the Female Orphan School at the Parramatta campus of the University of Western Sydney has been officially opened by the Governor General, Her Excellency the Honourable Quentin Bryce AC CVO.
Celebrations of this event come 200 years after the buildings original foundation stone was laid back in September 1813.
Since 2001, Tanner Kibble Denton Architects has delivered the adaptation and restoration in four stages covering the façade conservation and restoration; interior adaptation and landscape renewal.
With the completion of the final stage, the building is now a major cultural asset for the University and the community, providing gallery and exhibition spaces.
Significantly the final stage of the project provides a permanent home for the Whitlam Institute including the Whitlam Prime Ministerial library and archive.
“The Female Orphan School is an integral part the University of Western Sydney. With new cultural uses, including the Whitlam Institute, it is once again a vital part of the community,” said Tanner Kibble Denton Architects’ Project Director, Megan Jones.
“The revitalisation of this place reveals the rich layers of meaning and history in a way that is easily understood and offers connections to contemporary Australian society. For us, this is the critical measure of success of the adaptation of a building.”
Tanner Kibble Denton Architects’ Managing Director, Alex Kibble, said the company’s years of involvement with The Female Orphan School project had commenced with a conservation management plan in 1999.
“This nationally significant place has been carefully investigated by our team in all phases of the renewal process,” said Alex.
“We are proud of the dedication of our teams over many years, achieving an informed and appropriate response in conservation and adaptation, which is evident in this final stage and the completion of the project.”
