Western House

Built heritage allows us to understand our collective identity and defines our sense of place and belonging. In the early 20th century, the local Theatre was at the center of our suburban communities. Landmarks that fostered culture and the social sphere, through their distinctly monumental form and central theatre space – a place of the collective. Now these buildings are isolated, disused, falling into disrepair and ripe for commercial development.

With façade retention deemed enough to satisfy conservation; the value attributed to ‘heritage’ buildings, commonly disregards the spatial quality, function and fabric that shaped their significance. Averting the cautious regard of ‘preservation’ that is so resistant to change; How can these buildings be adapted and re-used without diminishing their former life?

In reconsidering what the local theatre once stood for, this project presents a use-case for these buildings to adapt and facilitate the needs of our contemporary society. After a time of isolation and retreat into our private spheres, here the Estonian House (former Western Theatre) presents the testing ground for remaking and redefining the local community center. The building produced is multiverse, with an incongruity of uses coming together to create a catalyst of activity, making it a community center piece once again, re-defined through adaptive re-use.