Heritage in Context

Responsible, Enduring, Sustainable

DASH is one of Australia’s leading heritage architectural firms. Our work spans a full range of architectural disciplines, allowing us to integrate heritage considerations within the broader design process. Our approach balances community values, traditions, and evolving cultural significance within contemporary design outcomes.

Heritage Conservation

For more than 50 years, DASH has been a leader in heritage conservation across South Australia. Our approach is founded on a deep understanding of heritage values, material behaviour, and traditional construction techniques. We are skilled at identifying past inappropriate repairs that can accelerate deterioration and in documenting effective remediation strategies. In some cases, conservation also involves the sensitive correction of historic detailing never intended to endure into the modern era.

Guided by the principles of the Burra Charter, our philosophy is to undertake as much work as necessary and as little as possible, preserving the authenticity and cultural significance of each place. Heritage conservation is not about creating new heritage but safeguarding the integrity of what remains.

Recognising that project budgets and scopes may not always allow for full restoration, our experienced team carefully scopes and prioritises works to achieve the best possible outcomes within given parameters—ensuring enduring, meaningful preservation.

Heritage Conservation Project Examples:

Adaptive Reuse

DASH specialises in the adaptive reuse of existing buildings, particularly heritage places, recognising their cultural, environmental, and economic value. We understand that heritage significance lies in both tangible and intangible qualities, and that their ongoing activation sustains relevance and meaning. This approach forms the basis of a sustainable heritage management model—one that supports long-term preservation while reducing environmental impact through the reuse of built fabric and the associated benefits of embodied energy retention.

Adaptive Reuse Project Examples:

Conservation Management + Heritage Assessment

 

DASH brings more than 60 years of experience in Conservation Management and Heritage Assessment. Our work is grounded in a deep understanding of a place’s heritage values, informed by rigorous research and responsive to contemporary cultural practices and trends.

We provide specialist heritage assessment and management services to property owners, government bodies and agencies, offering both facilitation and independent review of potential new heritage listings against statutory criteria. We also support the ongoing care, planning and stewardship of established heritage places, ensuring their significance is understood, respected and sustainably managed.

Heritage assessment work undertaken by DASH Architects includes:

  • Independent review and advice on potential new heritage listings
  • Heritage impact assessments to accompany development approvals
  • Due diligence assessments pre or post-purchasing heritage listed properties
  • Self-assessment of National Heritage places
  • Significance assessment for Local, State, Commonwealth or National historic heritage places
  • Site Heritage Management Plans

Our work spans the assessment of heritage places at local, state, and national levels, underpinned by a detailed understanding of legislative and policy frameworks. This knowledge enables us to provide holistic, flexible advice that integrates seamlessly with broader project objectives, helping to manage both heritage and project risks effectively.

National and Commonwealth Heritage

DASH has extensive expertise in assessing and managing heritage values under the Commonwealth EPBC Act. We advise applicants and agencies on their statutory obligations, undertake detailed heritage assessments, and provide development advice to ensure values are appropriately protected. Our approach is grounded in a nuanced understanding of how heritage significance is embodied in both tangible and intangible attributes, enabling well-informed, sustainable outcomes.

Conservation Management Plans

Conservation Management Plans help property owners and approval authorities understand a place’s heritage values while providing clear policies and strategies for its ongoing conservation and use. DASH prepares Management Plans in accordance with the principles of the Burra Charter, considering both current needs and future opportunities within the context of contemporary cultural values. Our plans are concise, practical and easy to use, ensuring they remain effective, enduring and represent genuine value for owners and custodians of our State’s heritage places.

Past Conservation Management Plans prepared by DASH include:

  • Old Adelaide Gaol, Adelaide SA
  • Athelstone Mill, Athelstone SA
  • Gladstone Goal, Gladstone SA
  • Adelaide Festival Plaza, Adelaide SA
  • Adelaide Railway Station, Adelaide
  • Torrens Parade Ground, Adelaide
  • Adelaide Town Hall, Adelaide SA
  • Edmund Wright House, Adelaide SA
  • Supreme Court Complex, Adelaide SA

Condition Assessment, Dilapidation Survey + Archival Recording

Condition Assessment + Dilapidation Survey

DASH has extensive experience undertaking condition assessments of varying scale and complexity. Some projects involve straightforward documentation—such as photographing, measuring cracks, and recommending conservation or repair works like damp remediation, while others require detailed investigation using 3D scanning by specialist surveyors to accurately compare pre- and post-works conditions.

Our condition assessment services include:

  • basic condition reports based on site inspections
  • prioritised audits to inform maintenance or conservation programs
  • dilapidation inspections before and after construction for audit purposes.

Project Examples:

  • 120 The Parade, Norwood, SA
  • 201-207 North Terrace, Adelaide SA
  • Adelaide Fire Station, Adelaide SA
  • Brompton Gasworks, Adelaide SA
  • Former Stock Exchange, Adelaide SA
  • Fowlers Lion Factory, Adelaide SA
  • No. 2 Dock, Port Adelaide SA
  • Port Adelaide Civic Centre, Port Adelaide SA
  • Whyalla Courthouse, Whyalla SA

Archival Recording

DASH provides professional archival recording services, often required when heritage places undergo significant change. These photographic records document a site’s condition and character prior to alteration, forming a valuable part of its conservation record.

We deliver these services across Australia, adhering to the National Archives of Australia guidelines for photographic preservation, handling, and storage, and State-based guidelines for photographic recording of heritage places.

Archival Recording Project Examples:

  • 203 North Terrace, Adelaide, SA (digital)
  • Edinburgh Defence Precinct, RAAF & DSTG, SA, various buildings (digital)
  • RAAF Point Cook and Laverton, VIC, various buildings (digital)
  • RAAF Townsville, QLD (digital)
  • Woomera Theatre, Woomera Prohibited Area, SA (digital)

Advisory Service, Expert Witness + Peer Review

Advisory Service

DASH regularly provides expert architectural, streetscape, and heritage design advice to various clients, such as councils, planners, private property owners, and other architects. These services are available at any stage—from concept to construction—but are most often provided during the planning approval process. Our deep understanding of relevant legislation and strong reputation in the field enable us to achieve quality outcomes for clients.

Services include design reviews against the Planning and Design Code (South Australia), letters or reports of support, focused design advice, and assistance in negotiations with councils and heritage authorities.

Expert Witness

DASH Directors Jason Schulz and David Holland are regularly engaged as expert witnesses before the Environment, Resources and Development Court of South Australia and other courts nationwide in the fields of architecture, heritage, and streetscape assessment.

Their services include preparing Statements of Evidence, providing advice during compulsory conferences, attending site viewings and expert meetings, and presenting evidence in court. Working with councils, applicants, and third-party appellants, they assess each case on its merits within the legislative framework, earning a strong reputation for professionalism, transparency, and balanced judgment.

Peer Review

DASH provides independent peer review services, offering informed second opinions on architectural, heritage, and streetscape matters. Our reviews assess design quality, statutory compliance, and heritage impact, ensuring balanced, professional advice that supports robust decision-making and enhances project outcomes across both public and private sectors.

Peer Review Project Examples:

  • Adelaide City Council, heritage advisory
  • Mitcham Council, heritage advisory
  • Environment, Resources and Development Court, SA, various expert witness services

Defence

DASH is a member of the national Defence Infrastructure Panel – Environment, Heritage and Estate Engineering Services, prequalified to deliver Historic Heritage services including heritage impact assessment, conservation and technical advice, condition assessment, draft nomination documentation, archival recording, interpretation, heritage risk assessment and heritage inductions. 

Our detailed understanding of the EPBC Act and Defence policy and procedure ensures Defence projects meet statutory heritage obligations. 

Based in Adelaide, DASH operates nationally, complementing our historic heritage expertise with high-quality architectural and interior design services, offering clients a fully integrated architectural consultancy capable of delivering cohesive and contextually responsive outcomes across a wide range of project types.

Defence Project Examples:

  • Edinburgh Defence Precinct, RAAF and DSTG, Adelaide SA
  • Keswick Barracks, Adelaide SA
  • RAAF Base Pearce, Perth WA
  • RAAF Darwin, Darwin NT
  • RAAF East Sale, Sale VIC
  • RAAF Point Cook, Point Cook VIC
  • RAAF Townsville, Townsville QLD

Archaeology

DASH provides expert historical archaeological advice and assessment. Historical archaeology examines Australia’s post-settlement past through material evidence and documentary sources to inform heritage management and conservation.

Our services include providing preliminary advice, preparing an Archaeological Assessment, obtaining permits under the Heritage Places Act 1993 (SA), conducting onsite monitoring and recording, and completing post-excavation reporting and artefact analysis. Archaeological Assessments can play a crucial role in managing project risk, helping prevent costly delays on complex developments.

Archaeology Project Examples:

  • 49-58 Brougham place, North Adelaide SA
  • Glenunga International High School, Glenside SA
  • Her Majesty’s Theatre, Adelaide SA
  • Newmarket Hotel, site history, Adelaide SA
  • Port Dock Railway Line, Port Adelaide SA