In addition to architectural building projects, Kate Mountstephens Architecture+Heritage can provide the following heritage consultancy services:
- advice on design approaches for heritage-listed properties and those in heritage conservation areas,
- Statements of Heritage Impact,
- advice on maintenance and materials conservation.
Many of Kate’s architectural projects are on heritage-listed sites or are located within heritage conservation areas. Kate’s heritage conservation background means that, as well as undertaking architectural work on a project, she is able to provide clients with advice on appropriate ways to alter or add to buildings of heritage significance. She is familiar with the heritage approvals process at local and State levels and can prepare Statements of Heritage Impact to accompany development applications when necessary.
During her time at Sydney Cove Authority, in The Rocks, Kate worked on the conservation of Victorian and early 20th Century residential, retail and commercial buildings including terrace houses, pubs, shops and warehouses. Her largest project in The Rocks, the conservation of a group of houses in Long’s Lane, along with the construction of four new dwellings, won the Royal Australian Institute of Architects (NSW Chapter) Lloyd Rees Award for Urban Design.
During her time working in The Rocks, Kate also completed a Masters of Heritage Conservation at Sydney University.
After leaving the Sydney Cove Authority, Kate was approached to form part of a heritage conservation team being set up at established architectural firm Allen Jack+Cottier. The main focus of Kate’s work at AJ+C was the adaptive re-use of existing buildings for new uses. Some of her heritage conservation and adaptive re-use projects at AJ+C included:
- Flourmill Studios in Newtown (winner of the Marrickville Medal awarded in recognition of the conservation of the cultural heritage of Marrickville)
- Mould Loft (Building 6), Cockatoo Island,
- Submarine Mine Corps, Chowder Bay (winner of the Royal Australian Institute of Architects NSW Chapter Greenway Award for Restoration)
- St Thomas Kindergarten, North Sydney (winner of the National Association of Women in Construction, Department of Public Works and Services Merit Award for Achievement in Design and a National Trust Heritage Award for conservation).
Since founding Kate Mountstephens Architecture+Heritage, Kate has worked on architectural projects on the following heritage-listed items:
- The Garibaldi Inn in Hunters Hill (listed on the State Heritage Register),
- Former Woollahra Post Office,
- The Rose Hotel, Chippendale,
- Private residences in Darlinghurst, Redfern, Mosman, Hunters Hill and McMahons Point.
Kate has written Statements of Heritage Impact for proposals to private residential, multi-residential, retail, commercial and institutional buildings with both local and State heritage listings. She also worked with the Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority on its program of updating existing Conservation Management Plans for several of The Rocks significant buildings.
In 2013, Kate was asked to participate in a Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority workshop developing design ideas for one of its most prominent sites.