Conservation
Every place has it's own unique history and reason for being. It is this individuality that makes a place meaningful. Heritage conservation aims to retain physical evidence of the past, but in parallel, must allow places adapt and change to remain functional and economically viable.
One definition of heritage is "what we want to keep".
Caloundra Lighthouse
The 1896 Lighthouse is the oldest surviving
building in the Caloundra township. It was relocated in
1970 when it was replaced with a reinforced concrete
structure. In 1999 it was retuned to it's original site. This
project is a good example of the way in which the uncovering of
our heritage can generate community pride and spirit.
A commercial studio was added to post WW2 flats at Moffat Beach.
Cadet
Conservation and change of use of the old
Caloundra Council Works Depot to an educational campus for CADET/Skillshare. The original timber framed
industrial buildings were designed "in the field" in
1953, and were augmented with various removal buildings.
As an aid to understanding why we need to conserve our heritage, parallels have been drawn to the trauma involved in house fires. Loss of day to day functional goods and appliances cannot be compared to the loss of personal memorabilia, which provide evidence of our past and help us identify "who we are." The fabric of our towns is similar - built examples from various periods help explain our culture background and generate a "sense of place."
I believe that to keep our heritage buildings, we must use them. The Sunshine Coast has the opportunity to use it's heritage as a tourist draw card. In parallel with a range of strategies, the urban fabric can be a vehicle through which pride of place, community, spirit, and the social concept of neighbourhood can be engendered.
Conservation and change of use for 7 Wilson Ave, Dicky Beach, Caloundra. The
original house had been built in 1939 for rental accommodation,
and has some local significance in that it is one of the
originals in that area. It is also important in it's contribution
to the character of the streetscape, and in it's ability to
demonstrate the evolution of the local beach house
"style" of the 1950's and 60's.
Beerwah Field Study Centre
Roger has had a long association with the
centre, which began when the Caloundra based Estuarine Research
Group leased three single mens' quarters within the Beerwah Forest Centre in 1989. The Centre is an
example of adaptive reuse which has enabled conservation of a
significant place. Roger designed an amenities block to best
environmental practice which responds to the unique character of
the area.
The Burra Charter (the acknowledged authority for heritage conservation) is a philosophy aimed at retaining significance while facilitating maximum usefulness of buildings. The intention is to mix old with new, but in the light of a clear understanding and respect for the old fabric. The charter sets out guidelines for understanding the existing, and extending in sympathy with scale, texture, rhythm, meaning and context. Reproductions, often not built as well as the originals, do little to enrich the urban environment. The philosophy can be extended to urban design.
"Tillstead", Yandina
This circa 1899 farmhouse, originally called Tillstead" was relocated to make way for the Yandina Bypass. Roger's role involved co-ordination of consultants and overall conservation planning and design. Considerable initial work was done however the project was subsequently abandoned by the Department of Transport and the house donated to the Maroochy Shire Council. More recently, Roger was commissioned by the Maroochy Shire Council to design and document proposals to convert the building for community use.
Landsborough Urban Design Guidelines
In March 2001, Caloundra City Council adopted design guidelines prepared by Roger Todd in association with Deicke Richards. Roger's input concerned the heritage character of the town. Landsborough (originally "Mellum Creek") was on the original Gympie Road, pushed through in 1868 to service the goldfields. The town re-focused around the railway station in 1890. It remained an important commercial centre and was the original seat of power for the Landsborough Shire. Much physical evidence of this history remains. Roger had previously been involved in a study of Landsborough for National Trust "Heritage Week" activity - theme "Heritage on the Move" in conjunction with the Landsborough Museum. This included preparation of flyer's and a booklet as well as coordination of the day itself. Follow up work included addressing the Landsborough Chamber of Commerce on heritage possibilities for the town, and a building report for the Chamber on the Landsborough Station Building. ( This was part of a wider campaign to conserve railway heritage ).
Advice, design and documentation for the Coach House, at Ewen Maddock Dam, for the Caloundra City Council. The House was the last building from the original Mooloolah township on the Old Gympie Road, and was donated to the Council when it's site was developed for housing . It has been converted for community use.
Roger was involved in conservation
planning for this place of industrial significance at Tivoli, near Ipswich, in association
with Ann Wallin & Associates, cultural heritage consultants.
