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                    Alterations

                    Icon representation of building alterations with changes to the front windows
                    Understand heritage policy as it relates to alterations.

                    External fabric

                    It is policy to:

                    • Preserve external fabric that contributes to the significance of the heritage place on any part of a significant building, and on any visible part of a contributory building..
                    • Ensure alterations to non-contributory buildings and fabric respect, and not detract, from the assessed significance of the heritage precinct.
                    Fabric
                    Fabric means all the physical material of the heritage place.
                    Cultural significance
                    Cultural significance means aesthetic, historic, scientific, social or spiritual value for past, present or future generations.

                    Figure 4: External fabric​

                    Diagram showing examples of (1) alterations to a noncontributory building that do not detract from the assessed significance of the heritage precinct and (2) alterations of significant heritage places where significant facade elements have been demolished, and alterations are not respectful of the assessed cultural significance of the heritage precinct.
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                    Brunetti building on city lane with modern but respectful alterations
                    The alterations to this building are respectful to contextual attributes.
                    Brunetti, Flinders Lane, Melbourne
                    Technē

                    Verandahs or awnings

                    It is policy to:

                    • Support reconstruction of an original awning or verandah where it is based on evidence of the original form, detailing and materials.
                    • Support new awnings or verandahs that are an appropriate contextual design response, compatible with the location on the heritage place and that can be removed without loss of fabric.
                    Contextual design
                    A contextual design for new buildings and additions to existing buildings is one which adopts a design approach, derived through analysis of the subject property and its heritage context. Such an approach requires new development to comfortably and harmoniously integrate with the site and the street character.

                    ​Figure 5: Verandahs or awnings


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                    Figure 6: 550 Queensberry Street before and after awning reconstruction

                    Heritage shopfront with modern alternations the ground floor facade and no awning; and after with a reconstructed awning based on the original 

                    Surfaces

                    It is policy to:

                    • Avoid sandblasting of render, masonry or timber surfaces and painting of previously unpainted surfaces. 
                    • Encourage removal of paint from original unpainted masonry or other surfaces, provided it can be undertaken without damage to the heritage place. ​

                    Figure 7: Surfaces

                     

                    Figure 8: Morrah Street, Parkville - before and after paint removal


                    Decision guidelines

                    Before deciding on an application to alter the fabric of a significant or contributory building, the responsible authority will consider, as relevant:

                    • The assessed significance of the building and heritage place.
                    • The degree to which the alterations would detract from the significance, character and appearance of the building and heritage place.
                    • The structural condition of the building. 
                    • The character and appearance of the proposed replacement materials.
                    • Whether the alterations can be reversed without loss of fabric which contributes to the significance of the heritage place.

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