JACK'S MAGAZINE
Jack's Magazine, situated on the banks of the Maribyrnong River, was initially established in 1878 with the primary purpose of securely storing gunpowder imported into the colony of Victoria. Over time, its role expanded to include storage for various hazardous materials utilised in the ammunition factories, linking the structure to the broader industrial military area recognised as the 'Arsenal of Australia'. Spanning an extensive site, the structure encompasses two magazines, several former storage and administrative buildings, blast mounds, tunnels, a canal, and an imposing perimeter constructed of bluestone.
The Victorian Government appointed Working Heritage to manage Jack's Magazine in 2015. Since then, Working Heritage has actively worked towards revitalising the property and transforming it into a vibrant economic and community space consistently accessible to the public.
As part of the comprehensive revitalisation plan, Micio designed and implemented new wayfinding, interpretive signage, and heritage plaques onsite to provide visitors with informative and engaging experiences. While the selected photographs maintain the site's historical characteristics, our team achieved a modernised and rejuvenated look for the overall design. The updated aesthetic was inspired by Working Heritage's brand identity, incorporating its font, colours, and a new format to enhance communication between the site and its visitors. These efforts are intended to deepen visitors' understanding of the site's rich history and cultural significance while improving accessibility for all community members.
In collaboration with Working Heritage, the interpretive signage design at Jack's Magazine received the 'Highly Commended' award at the 2023 Interpretation Australia National Awards for Excellence. The judges praised our work as “a practical, effective and engaging approach of representing an interesting history.”
SCOPE:
Design & Implementation
– Wayfinding Signage
– Interpretive Signage
– Heritage Plaques
COLLABORATION:
Working Heritage – Site Manager