Former HM Prison Pentridge

Interpreting Pentridge’s history was particularly challenging because the site was redeveloped into a hotel, shops, cafes, apartments and offices. The interpretive installations needed to be sensitive to the fact that this was not only a heritage ‘attraction’ but also a place people would live, shop and work. In response, we recommended zones for dark history and ‘difficult’ interpretation and a set of digital media activations of the site. This zoning was instrumental in gaining a series of Heritage Interpretation Permits for works at the site.

To ensure our interpretation would integrate with the  wide range of architecture across the site, and effectively communicate the prison’s history to a wide range of audiences, we worked closely with Shayher Group, Heritage Victoria and all project architects to come up with a wide range of built installations in different forms and materials, including sculptures and public art.