From remnants to radiance

In 2015 Loftex purchased a site on Day Street, Sydney, at the head of Darling Harbour. A stunning residential and retail tower named Radiance was planned for this prime location. Preparatory works included demolition of a 1920s warehouse and basement car park excavation. As it was possible that construction might uncover State Significant archaeological remains associated with the early colony, as well as Aboriginal archaeology, a program of salvage excavation was required.

Image: The Radiance Apartment Building with its luminous gold coloured façade won an Urban Design Award from the Australian Institute of Architects. 

OUR
SOLUTION

Loftex engaged Artefact to manage all archaeology across the site under the guidance of Excavation Director Dan Tuck and secondary Excavation Director, Jenny Winnett. Salvage excavations under a Section 140 excavation permit uncovered the remains of the engine house and chimney of the 1830s Thomas Barker Mill complex.

Working closely with Loftex, the builder and the demolishers, Artefact completed all archaeological work within the project timeframe. Construction then proceeded on track.


SUCCESS

The site’s industrial heritage was acknowledged in the architectural form and materials of the Radiance development, which won an Urban Design Award and an International Architecture Award.

As recommended by Artefact’s Heritage Interpretation Plan, recovered artefacts were integrated into interior and exterior displays to intrigue passers-by. These place-making installations both acknowledge the past and illuminate the future for the residents of Radiance.

“It’s always great when developers celebrate the history of a site by creating interpretative signage and displays in the completed building. Stepping inside Radiance visitors can learn about the past inhabitants of the site as well as the actual artefacts found during excavation.”

Jenny Winnett,
Technical Director - Artefact


Image: James Lane heritage interpretation panel which outlines the history of the Barker’s Mill engine room and chimney stack.

CONTACT

HOLIDAY CLOSE
Our offices will be closed from Monday 23 Dec 2024 and will re-open on Monday 6 Jan 2025.
For unexpected finds and urgent project enquiries, please contact our Heritage Manager Stephanie Moore at stephanie.moore@artefact.net.au or call 0420 403 581.
For all other enquires please contact our General Manager Martin Edmunds at martin.edmunds@artefact.net.au or call 0404 877 490.
We wish you a peaceful holiday break and look forward to working with you in 2025.

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