Gadigal People of the Eora Nation
New South Wales
Built in the 1920s in the interwar Beaux Arts style, this beautiful building was first utilised as a gathering place for the First Church of Christ Scientists. Reimagined as Yirranma Place the precinct is now home to the headquarters of the Paul Ramsay Foundation and is a true reflection of the legacy of the Ramsay Health founder and generous benefactor to Australian charities committed to breaking cycles of disadvantage.
Light touch interior renovations reflect a guiding principle to acknowledge and celebrate past forms through a sequence of beautiful spaces sitting within the existing shell – new additions are sculptural, robust and respectful of the heritage fabric.
New areas are designed with future flexibility in mind while the openness in design creates clear sightlines, allowing light to penetrate the depths of the new floor plates.
Once in a while a design opportunity arises to weave an extraordinary existing fabric with contemporary technologies. The transformation of the much-loved 1927 First Church of Christ Scientist building in Darlinghurst into Yirranma Place was one of those moments.
Retaining the envelope and the bulk of the heritage significant internals of the original building established sustainable foundations for the project. Great care has been taken to retain the existing structure with only minor structural modifications to some rooms to create amenities and services.
The Australian Institute of Architects acknowledges First Nations peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the lands, waters, and skies of the continent now called Australia.
We express our gratitude to their Elders and Knowledge Holders whose wisdom, actions and knowledge have kept culture alive.
We recognise First Nations peoples as the first architects and builders. We appreciate their continuing work on Country from pre-invasion times to contemporary First Nations architects, and respect their rights to continue to care for Country.
