Wesley Edward Eagar Centre

Developer

Lipman

Brief

Since the 1970s, Wesley Edward Eagar Lodge has provided a safe space for our community’s most vulnerable as they rebuild their lives. It is Wesley Mission’s flagship site, providing support for those experiencing homelessness, and the first institution in Sydney to provide individual, lockable rooms. Wesley Edward Eagar Lodge is the physical embodiment of Wesley Mission’s core principle, ‘do all the good you can, because every life matters’.

The purpose of the refurbishment was to put the dignity and amenity of the clients at the forefront of the design. This included an upgrade to the former heritage chapel and support service rooms within, an upgraded entrance colonnade and landscape terraces, and the internal refurbishment of guest rooms with the addition of private ensuites and upgraded communal amenities. The integrated approach through the collaborative effort of architecture, landscape architecture, and interiors allowed a holistic design response and added additional value through the solutions nuanced in each discipline. “Positively impacting mood and behaviour were key to the re-design of the client accommodation. The design intention was to promote a sense of warmth through the finishes and furnishings and to provide a sense of home and belonging.” - Helen Griffen, Associate, Interior Design, Scott Carver

The upgrade provided a direct response to the evolving urban landscape, providing an opportunity to celebrate its heritage while bringing the institution into relevance with the gentrification of Surry Hills. Wesley Mission’s vision for this refurbishment was to exemplify their continued commitment to helping people of all ages and abilities experience a more fulfilling life physically, spiritually, mentally, and emotionally.

Photographer:

Ben Guthrie, The Guthrie Project