Heritage Architecture and Restoration Projects
Source Architects has worked as a heritage architect across the Central West of New South Wales for over a decade, restoring, extending and sensitively adapting heritage listed and character homes for reuse. The practice's heritage work sits alongside its contemporary residential architecture, led by the same two registered architects, David and Sally Sutherland, on every project. From award winning restorations to considered new additions built around original fabric, the projects below reflect a heritage architecture practice built on knowing exactly what in an old building is worth protecting.
What heritage restoration actually involves
Heritage work covers more than protecting a facade. It means understanding a building's original construction, materials and detailing well enough to know what can be sympathetically repaired, what needs to be replaced in kind, and where a new addition can sit without competing with what's already there. That understanding comes from experience with heritage listed buildings specifically, not general residential design applied to an older property.
New additions that don't compete with the old
Many heritage projects involve adding to an existing building, whether that's a kitchen extension, a new living wing, or additional bedrooms. The approach favoured here treats the new work as clearly its own, in materials and form, rather than disguising it as a fake period addition, while still respecting the scale, proportion and siting of the original building. The result reads as old and new in conversation with each other, not one pretending to be the other.
Heritage work recognised across the region
The practice's heritage and restoration work has been recognised with a State Architecture Award and two NSW AIA Country Awards, including for Montoro Wines, alongside further heritage specific honours. That recognition sits alongside project experience across Orange, Bathurst and the wider Central West, in towns where genuine heritage restoration experience is still comparatively rare.
Common questions about heritage architecture and restoration
Does Source Architects only work on heritage listed buildings?
No. Heritage restoration is one of the practice's core specialisms, alongside contemporary residential architecture, interior design and other project types.
Can a heritage property be extended, or does everything need to be preserved exactly as built?
Most heritage projects allow for sympathetic new additions. The approach is to protect what matters about the original building while designing new work that's honest about being new.
Do you handle heritage council approvals?
Yes. Heritage approvals and authority processes are part of the practice's standard service on any heritage listed project.
Where does Source Architects take on heritage projects?
Primarily across Orange, Bathurst and the wider Central West of New South Wales, alongside heritage work elsewhere in the state.
