In 1997, the Darling Building was abandoned. Unappreciated, unviable, unusable, it remained as the day it was left…derelict.

It’s a project in two parts – a viable commercial proposition, and a home for WBL.

An untried path (on this scale) of “continuation” was pursued – upgrade and reuse, prioritising safety and adopting a process of minimally invasive adaptation. Contrasting the gritty exposed building fabric are delicate and detailed insertions. These soften the practical with the beautiful. Repair is celebrated, understanding that an object or a space can be more beautiful for having been broken, a story told, patina a virtue, but not at the expense of the authenticity or quality.

Darling Building remains a symbol of a time when civic pride and patronage in Architecture was lauded. It’s an exemplar of renewal for a creative, technical age that values authenticity and heart.

It is again “A City Improvement” – The Advertiser July 1916