The importance of conserving our heritage buildings and sites cannot be overstated. Part of this is accurately recording what was there, before any alterations take place. This is often a condition of consent for development applications.
About us
Chris Bennett, of Evolving Picture, has produced archival recordings for hundreds of heritage-listed sites and buildings since originally undertaking a detailed recording of Sydney’s historic Wooloomooloo Wharf in 1996 for Clive Lucas Stapleton & Partners. All work has been presented to the standard required by NSW Environment and Heritage, in compliance with the publication, “The Heritage Information Series: Photographic Recording of Heritage Items Using Film or Digital Capture 2006” since it was released. Projects have ranged from small dwellings to large sites incorporating multiple large buildings. We work with heritage consultants, architects, construction companies and individual owner-builders.
Development application condition of consent
When submitting a development application, your local council may determine that your property has heritage significance and make it a condition of consent that a photographic archival recording is undertaken. The level of detail required will depend on the heritage significance of the building or site. This will range from local, significance through state, national and up to world heritage status. The chances are that, if you are applying for a world heritage site, you will not be looking at this website for guidance, though Chris Bennett, of Evolving Picture has produced archival records for all of these categories.
What we do
Site recording is undertaken with high resolution photographic equipment, in some cases incorporating drone photography and video recording, if required by the condition, or complexity of the site. We guarantee that our report will satisfy the conditions of consent and work with councils to this end. We respect timelines and it is our aim to endure there is no delay in the development application process.
Where we operate
We service the Greater Sydney area and throughout regional NSW. We have and will produce photographic archival recordings throughout Australia.
The process
Most conditions of consent for archival recording in NSW specify that it is undertaken in accordance with “The Heritage Information Series: Photographic Recording of Heritage Items Using Film or Digital Capture 2006” published by the former NSW Department of Environment and Heritage. Evolving Picture has extensive experience in working to these guidelines. After engagement of our services, we will photograph the site and produce a Report, in the specific format that the condition of consent requests. In most cases access to all rooms of a building will be required, unless a partial archival recording is requested by your council. Exclusions may be applied for, in certain circumstances.
Obligation Free Quote
Please contact us with details of your property, including site and floor plans of all areas which will be affected by the proposed construction work. It is important that these are as existing and not the proposed layout, post alterations. If in doubt, we are happy to advise you on what is needed. These drawings will be required to calculate the coverage and also to produce key plans for the finished report, showing where the photographs were taken. A copy of the council’s development application condition of consent should also be provided, as the details can vary from council to council, and also depending on the significance of the building or site.
Examples - Residential
The bulk of photographic archival recordings requested by councils are for residential properties. This may be required because of proposed alterations, or demolition. Below are examples of images from typical properties. The complete record for each of these properties would comprise views of all areas that will be affected by the proposed works, key plans and a catalogued report of what the images show. In many cases, the coverage will be determined by an appointed heritage consultant, who will also handle other aspects of the property’s heritage report, such as a “Heritage impact statement”.
Examples - Commercial
When submitting a development application, your local council may determine that your property has heritage significance and make it a condition of consent that a photographic archival recording is undertaken. The level of detail required will depend on the heritage significance of the building or site. This will range from local, significance through state, national and up to world heritage status. The chances are that, if you are applying for a world heritage site, you will not be looking at this website for guidance, though Chris Bennett, of Evolving Picture has produced archival records for all of these categories.
Examples - Industrial
Industrial sites and buildings requiring photographic archival recordings are often restricted access areas, requiring safety induction, protective equipment and strict working protocols. Evolving Picture has recorded a wide range of industrial buildings and sites, including, factories, mines and power stations. As with commercial buildings, in some cases progress reports are required during the construction stage. Here are some examples, both prior to and during construction.