Artrise, Jackson’s Hill Sunbury

Touch Projects delivered the sensitive adaptive re-use of Buildings 22 and 24 in the heritage-listed Jackson’s Hill Asylum on behalf of Hume City Council. Under our stewardship, the former female refractory ward (1879) and ancillary workshed were repurposed into a multipurpose theatre and performance space, exhibition gallery, makers’ space and communal gathering areas whilst preserving the site’s architectural and social significance.

As part of our scope, we liaised with Heritage Victoria to orchestrate pre-application consultations, respond to heritage permit conditions, and integrate conservation directives into design and construction documentation.

We then managed the consultant engagement process, coordinating heritage architects, archaeologists and structural engineers to ensure that works complied with Victorian Heritage Register requirements, including onsite archaeological monitoring and discovery protocols.

Community and stakeholder engagement was a large factor in this project. We facilitated workshops with local arts groups and the Community Advisory Board to incorporate public feedback into the design, ensuring it reflected Sunbury’s cultural heritage and aspirations.

Touch Projects managed the full design and construction process, directing the staging plan and heritage protection measures for each phase: overseeing temporary fabric protection, issuing pre-commencement notices to Heritage Victoria, and approving construction-ready drawings and materials schedules. We then oversaw project delivery, including managing the integration of new services (audiovisual, lighting and accessibility upgrades) to transform former confinement spaces into vibrant public amenities, while safeguarding original brickwork, courtyards and historic elements.

Ultimately, Touch Projects handed over a revitalised arts and cultural facility that balances heritage conservation with contemporary, community-driven functionality.