Hume City Council

Architecture Associates 

Situated within the historic Jacksons Hill Precinct in Sunbury, the Sunbury Community Arts & Cultural Building centres on the sensitive refurbishment of a former Female Refractory Ward, a heritage-listed Victorian-era building that once formed part of the Sunbury Asylum. Stokes Rousseau was engaged by Hume City Council to transform this significant structure into a vibrant arts and cultural hub for the community, delivering new spaces for art exhibitions, live performance, creative workshops and studio work. 

The scope of works involved a comprehensive internal refurbishment of the heritage building, including the conservation and upgrade of existing building facade, installation of new mechanical, electrical and audiovisual systems, and an extensive internal fit-out encompassing timber, carpet and vinyl flooring, custom joinery, and painting and render finishes. The central hall was converted into a flexible 100-seat community theatre, complete with stage curtains, tiered seating, lighting rigs and AV functionality. Corner rooms were adapted into a community art gallery and potters’ workshop, with smaller rooms repurposed as studios and creative workspaces throughout. A new annexe structure was constructed within the courtyard, providing a generous foyer and adaptable communal event space at the heart of the precinct. 

Civil and landscaping upgrades completed the project, with new pedestrian pathways, accessible ramps and car parking delivered to support the facilities increased community use. Working closely with heritage advisors throughout, Stokes Rousseau's experience in sensitive heritage environments was central to delivering a respectful and high-quality outcome, one that honours the building's layered history while opening it up as a connected, inclusive and creative space for the Sunbury community.