Located on Lydiard Street, the refurbishment of the heritage-listed The Goods Shed is now complete and the doors open. Alongside developer Pellicano, i2C was brought onto the project for its vast experience in refurbishing projects with heritage sensitivities. With this knowledge, i2C preserved the history of The Goods Shed by incorporating artefacts and materials from the original site.

Leading the design of The Goods Shed, i2C interior designer Kate Ellis says the brief asked for a multifaceted event and conference space. The new design required four main spaces, all to be operated by hospitality partner Atlantic Groups. This included a 120-seat conference centre, 250-seat function room, bar and commercial kitchen. It was also essential to retain its heritage and give visitors a captivating experience.

“We took inspiration from all aspects of the original building as we were required to adhere to preservation and restoration requirements set by Heritage Victoria,” says Ellis. “We designed the spaces to highlight the original timber beams and columns, beautiful bluestone walls, and the high ceilings.

“With the palette, it features a warm base with the new timber battening wrapping the core of the space, paired with dual-toned acoustic wall panelling in neutral colours. And all the new finishes have a warmth and lightness that we felt was important to compliment the original timber beams and columns, and contrast against the cool tones of the bluestone.”

The interior’s space is deep and wide, and in the centre sits a monumental bar. Clad with hand-cut tiles, the tiles highlight the warm timber battened ceiling. The bar is the centrepiece for all the surrounding events, serving the banquet hall, theatre, and meeting rooms.

i2C was also responsible for maintaining the cultural history and information of The Goods Shed. i2C’s branded environments lead, Dan Coman, led the concept design of pylon signage and wayfinding throughout the precinct. Each waypoint features a design that immortalises the original characteristics of the site.

“The design of the wayfinding signage was directly linked to the site through materiality and design features, such as the further use of bluestone and steel, and a pattern that referenced key elements of the site, strengthening a connection to place and historic architectural features,” says Coman.

“The designs were created to provide a clean and functional outcome, allowing for the signage to achieve its intent of directing people easily while still maintaining the connection to place and integration with the site, without looking like an afterthought. This simple idea allows for moments of joy as the designs from afar are nondescript, however upon closer inspection, there is hidden meaning and symbolism for users to explore and interpret; the curious eye will connect the dots,” he says.

The Goods Shed revitalises new life to the Ballarat Station precinct, and every corner of this refurbishment celebrates not only the precinct’s history but also its present and future.

i2C Architects
i2c.com.au

Photography
Matt Dunne

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