Rocks Youth Hostel and Archaeology Education Centre. John McDonald, Tzannes Associates

In January 2006 the Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority (SHFA) called for innovative proposals for the design and conservation development of the area known as the ‘Big Dig Site’ in the historic precinct of The Rocks. The 2650m2 site, located opposite Susannah Place Museum between Cumberland and Gloucester Streets, has outstanding cultural significance and contains rare physical evidence of Australia’s first European settlement. In 1994 the first major archaeological excavation of the site was begun, unearthing over 750,000 artefacts and the remains of more than 30 buildings.

The winning proposal, which conserves the in-situ archaeological remains as well as establishing an interactive history and education centre, was chosen from four designs short-listed by an expert evaluation panel that included representatives from the NSW Heritage Office and the owner of the site, SHFA. A scheme submitted by the Youth Hostels Association (YHA) and designed by Tzannes Associates with advice from Godden Mackay Logan was chosen from a range of submissions from designers, conservationists and archaeologists.

YHA will build a contemporary, environmentally-sensitive youth hostel on the site, which will create opportunities for young people, including school groups and independent travellers, to not only visit the site, but also to stay on it. The proposed building will accommodate up to 350 people, providing much needed budget accommodation in The Rocks. The design of the building includes a world-class archaeological education centre, and public access is planned to almost the entire site, including a large open area on Gloucester Street where the most significant remnants are located.

YHA (NSW) CEO Julian Ledger said ’YHA’s objectives include raising the appreciation and understanding of the historical and cultural values of cities. This project will achieve that, as well as help to revitalise The Rocks.’ YHA is a not-for-profit organisation, part of Hostelling International, with over 4000 properties in 60 countries including over 140 in Australia. Many of its properties around the world are in important historic buildings and sites. The Rocks Youth Hostel and Archaeology Education Centre will join these unique YHA hostels and act as a major drawcard for visitors to The Rocks. The development is expected to be completed by late 2008.

The HHT welcomes this proposal and is excited by the opportunities and connections between the proposed Rocks Youth Hostel and the adjacent Susannah Place Museum.

For more than a decade Susannah Place Museum, managed by the HHT, has offered visitors a rare opportunity to explore domestic working-class life from 1844 to 1990. Unusual in the city of Sydney, the terrace of four houses, incorporating a recreated 1915 corner store, is evidence of the rich community life that once existed in The Rocks. Susannah Place Museum is renowned for its innovative museum education in the themes of social history, archaeology and Australian literature. It currently conducts regular archaeological tours of the dig site for the public and school groups.

With its authentic and evocative setting Susannah Place Museum will complement the proposed Rocks Youth Hostel and Archaeology Education Centre. Director of the HHT Peter Watts believes ‘there is an opportunity to amplify the stories and potential interpretation of both the dig site and Susannah Place by developing a strong collaborative approach. In this respect we look forward to working with SHFA and YHA in the development of this exciting new venture’.

Sue Hunt
General Manager, Properties

First published in Insites, Autumn 2007