Port Adelaide has once again reached an international stage with Hart’s Mill winning the UNESCO New Design in Heritage Concepts Award at the 2018 UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation, last week.
The awards programme recognises the efforts to have successfully conserve structures and buildings of heritage value. The Awards aim to encourage property owners to undertake conservation projects, either independently or by seeking public-private partnerships.
The judges stated, “The remarkable transformation of the former flour-milling complex and wharf into a lively series of public spaces revitalizes a derelict post–industrial waterfront area for present-day use. The three interconnected interventions have rejuvenated both the buildings and the surrounding area through a successful urban place–making strategy, using contemporary art to reference historical function. Resulting from an extensive consultation and engagement programme, the development of trails, play areas and event spaces has created a major urban amenity for the city of Adelaide.”
South Australian company Aspect Studios worked alongside Mulloway to develop Hart’s Mill into a usable landscape for people to enjoy, while getting close to the water, the walkable loop path and the historic buildings.
Hart’s Mill is a prominent landmark in Port Adelaide’s history and the precinct has evolved into an energetic community space.
Events of varying size have utilised the Hart’s Mill precinct, attracting different people to the Port. Whether large scale music festivals such as St Jerome’s Laneway, small community markets, food truck events, outdoor cinemas, the recent Winterfest or many others, it’s clear the community has embraced this unique offering in Port Adelaide.
Ten projects from five countries — Australia, China, India, Japan and Thailand — have been recognised by an international Jury of conservation experts in this year’s UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation. The Jury met in August in Penang, Malaysia to review 41 entries from the region.
Dr Duong Bich Hanh, Chair of the Jury and Chief of UNESCO Bangkok’s Culture Unit said ‘This year’s projects show the heightened level of public awareness, policy support and private sector investment in an ever-widening range of heritage typologies. It is notable how the 2018 Awards winners showcase the increasing recognition of industrial heritage in the Asia-Pacific region.”
The UNESCO New Design in Heritage Concepts Award joins Hart’s Mill’s already impressive accolades.
For further information about the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation and upcoming events, please see UNESCO Bangkok’s website.