Selected Recent Projects
Archaeological Management Plan and Implementation - Launceston College (former Gaol) - 2016
Praxis Environment was commissioned by Launceston College to undertake a Starement of Archaeological Potential for the site of the proposed performing arts centre redevelopment. That assesment concluded that the site of the proposed development had a high archaeological potential as the site of the earliest portion of the c1822 Launceston Gaol. Test excavations confirmed the existence of substantial and significant archaeologcial remains and the design of the proposed development resonded to the need and desire of the college to protect, preserve and interpret the remains - through the work of local firm A/MA Architect. The development proceeded after further archaeological investigations and the overall development plan embraced the heritage and archaeological values of the site with substantial interpretation of the former gaol - where previously no above-ground vestiges of the former site existed.
Archaeological Management and Extant Recording - Myer Hobart Redevelopment (former Union Club Hotel) - 2016
Further to an earlier statement of archaeological potential and permit conditions, Praxis Environment was commissioned by Kalis Group to implement all required archaeological and heritage inputs in the redevelopment of the Myer site in the HObart CBD. The site was first developed in the 1820s as the Clark family's Caulfield House and later developed as the Union Club. The site was developed in four generations of hotels prior to 1905 when the recently demolished Myer building was constructed. Remains of all of those previous hotels were uncovered and recorded ahead of the redevelopment.
Hobart Baptist Tabernacle Conservation Management Plan - 2016
In order to guide the ongoing use of the Hobart Baptist Tabernacle for the changing needs of the congregation, Praxis Environment was commissioned to undertake a conservation management plan for the site. That plan assessed the heritage values of the building and recommended where desired changes might be made to continue to cater for the congregation as well working with the planning team to consider where surplus space might be used for other purposes to provide ongoing income streams for the church. That document will guide the church's priorities for site works well into the future to ensure that heritage values are considered in that process.
Archaeological Management Plan and Heritage Impact Assessment - 2 Collins Street Hobart - 2016
Ahead of the imminent future redevelopment of 2 Collins Street, Praxis Environment was commissioned to undertake a Statement of Archaeological Potential in 2014, which identified that the large site was the site of residential and commercial development dating back to the 1810s. Part of the site was also a part of the first Government Slaughterhouse site. The large site was almost a community in its own right, with a range of activities undertaken and multiple layers of development history forming part of the wider Wapping community. The site was largely cleared in the 1910s as part of rivulet diversion works and the further development of Wapping. The results of the statement of potential were considered in the planning of the forthcoming development and a development impact assessment and archaeological method statement undertaken.
Archaeological Management Plan and Implementation - Macquarie Hotel - Hobart - 2014
As part of the redevelopment of this large inner-city Hobart site as what will be Tasmania's largest hotel, Fragrance Group commisisoned Praxis Environment to undertake all necessary archaeological management works on the site. The site was part of the 1810s convict gardens and was first developed as part of Judge Pedder's 1818 house. Pedder was the first SUpreme Court Judge of the colony of Van Diemens Land. The site was also later developed as Dr. Crowther's surgery as one of two large stone townhouses adjacent to Pedder's. THe site was levelled in the 1960s for the recently demolished office tower. Although Pedder's house had previously been largely cleared, substantial remains of the 1840s townhouses were found on-site as well as part of an 1820s building possibly associated with the convict gardens.
Archaeological Management Plan, Conservation Management Plan, Impact Assessment and Implementation - Boags Centre - Launceston - 2013
Ahead of the proposed redevelopment of the former Broomby and Dent building in central Launceston as the Boag's Experience Centre, Praxis Environment were commissioned by Boags Brewery to undertake an integrated heritage management plan for the site, primarily encompassing a conservation management plan for the several buildings on site as well as an archaeological management plan for the variety of early commercial buildings on the site, including the c1827 Globe Hotel. The conservation management plan provided the basis for planning the microbrewery and visitor centre in the existing buildings, celebrating their heritage as part of the story of the site. Remains of the Globe Hotel were found which were incorporated into the interpretation plan, alongside the 1000's of artifacts unearthed.
Battery Point Foreshore Walkway - Statutory Heritage Assessment - 2015
Praxis Environment was commisisoned by Hobart City Council to undertake the statutory heritage assessment of the Battery Point foreshore walkway. This contentious development resulted in a lengthy appeal process whereby Praxis provided expert witness documentation and tribunal appearances further to that heritage assessment.
Culloden Battlefield (1746, Scotland) - Statutory Heritage Protection Scoping Paper - 2013
In 2013, Praxis Environment worked in conjunction with the Highlands Council, Inverness, Scotland for the holistic assessment of statutory heritage provisions for the protection of the Culloden Battlefield, in particular the visual catchment area surrounding the battlefield historic site. The site is commonly known as the site of the fall of the last royal family of Scotland where Charles Edward Stuart (aka Bonnie Prince Charlie) was defeated by the Jacobite troops of the Duke of Cumberland in 1745. The site has immense significance in European history and is being encroached upon by development. Praxis took a lead role in the formulation of a discussion paper on the possible heritage provisions and initial stakeholder consultation ahead of the legislative process.
