Photographic Archival Recording (PAR) — Sydney & NSW
A Photographic Archival Recording (often abbreviated PAR, also called a photographic archival record or simply an archival recording) creates a permanent visual and written record of a heritage item before it is altered, demolished or substantially modified. PARs are commonly imposed as a condition of consent for development applications affecting heritage items, contributory buildings within Heritage Conservation Areas, and properties on the NSW State Heritage Register.
At Trace Heritage we prepare Photographic Archival Recordings in accordance with the Guidelines for preparing archival recordings of heritage items as a condition of consent (Heritage Council of NSW, 2023), which replaced the 1998 How to prepare archival records of heritage items and the 2006 Photographic recording using film or digital capture. Our team combines architectural and engineering training with heritage qualifications — recordings are produced to satisfy council and Heritage NSW requirements while documenting fabric, finishes and construction with technical precision.
What’s Included in a Photographic Archival Recording
A complete Photographic Archival Recording from Trace Heritage typically comprises:
- —Title page and statement of purpose identifying the property, address, listing status and reason for the recording.
- —Brief history of the place drawn from primary sources, council records and historical archives.
- —Statement of cultural significance referencing the LEP, SHR or HCA listing.
- —Photographic image catalogue — exterior, interior, structural elements, finishes and decorative details, with a photographic schedule indicating the direction of view and the location plan.
- —Floor plans showing camera locations and the direction each photograph was taken.
- —Written description of construction, materials, condition and evidence of alteration.
- —Measured drawings where required by the consent authority — floor plans, elevations, sections and details.
- —Bound report and digital deliverable to the standard required by the consent authority and lodged with the relevant archive.
Recording Standards Set by the Consent Authority
The level of recording required is set by the consent authority, based on the heritage significance of the place and the extent of proposed works. The 2023 NSW guideline distinguishes three levels:
- —Simple record — photographs and a written description, typically for minor works to a locally listed item or a contributory building within a Heritage Conservation Area.
- —Measured record — photographs, measured floor plans, elevations and a written description, for moderate works that affect significant fabric.
- —Comprehensive record — full measured drawings, detailed photography, historical research and a written report, for major works to significant items or full demolition.
Our Recording Services
Photographic Recording
Systematic photography of the building exterior, interior, structural elements, decorative details, and setting. We follow the 2023 NSW guideline for photographic documentation, including contextual, medium, and detail views with a photographic schedule and location plan.
Measured Drawings
Accurate floor plans, elevations, sections, and detail drawings documenting the physical dimensions, construction, and configuration of the building. Measured drawings record spatial relationships, structural systems, and building fabric that photographs alone cannot capture.
3D Modelling & Scanning
Point cloud scanning and photogrammetry to create accurate three-dimensional digital records of heritage buildings and sites. These models provide precise measurements and can be used for ongoing conservation planning, monitoring, and interpretation.
Written Description
Detailed written accounts of the building's construction, materials, condition, and any evidence of alterations or previous repairs. The written record contextualises the photographic and drawn documentation and provides a narrative description of the place.
Historical Research
Archival research to establish the construction date, original design, builder, architect, and subsequent modifications. Historical research places the building within its broader architectural and social context and informs the interpretation of physical evidence.
Related Guides
Authorship and Qualifications
Trace Heritage’s Photographic Archival Recordings are authored by qualified heritage professionals. Director Charlotte Simons holds a Master of Heritage Conservation from the University of Sydney (awarded the Morton Herman Prize in Building Conservation and the Australian Institute of Building NSW Chapter President’s Award), has served as a Council Heritage Officer in NSW local government, and is an Expert Witness in the NSW Land & Environment Court. Director Thomas Clark holds a combined Bachelor of Engineering and Bachelor of Design in Architecture with First Class Honours from the University of Sydney. Read more about our team.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is a Photographic Archival Recording?
- A Photographic Archival Recording (PAR) is the systematic photographic and written documentation of a heritage item before it is altered, demolished or substantially modified. It creates a permanent record of the place — its physical form, construction, materials and setting — for lodgement with relevant archives and consent authorities.
- When is a Photographic Archival Recording required?
- A PAR is commonly imposed as a condition of consent for development that will alter or demolish a heritage item, a contributory building within a Heritage Conservation Area, or a property listed on the NSW State Heritage Register. The condition typically appears on the development consent issued by Council or, for SHR items, by Heritage NSW.
- What standard of archival recording is required?
- The Heritage Council of NSW's Guidelines for preparing archival recordings of heritage items as a condition of consent (2023) is the current authoritative reference. It replaces How to prepare archival records of heritage items (1998) and Photographic recording using film or digital capture (2006). The level of recording — simple, measured, or comprehensive — is set by the consent authority based on heritage significance and the extent of proposed works.
- Do I need a heritage consultant or just a photographer for archival recording?
- A Photographic Archival Recording must do more than take photographs — it must identify what is heritage-significant, structure the record against the consent condition and the 2023 NSW guideline, and produce a bound report that the consent authority will accept. A heritage consultant decides what to photograph and why, prepares the historical and significance text, and authors the report; a photographer alone typically cannot satisfy the consent condition without a heritage consultant directing the scope.
- How long does a Photographic Archival Recording take?
- Most Photographic Archival Recordings take two to six weeks from instruction to lodgement, depending on the level of recording set by the consent authority, the size and complexity of the building, the extent of measured drawings required, and access to the property. Comprehensive recordings of complex State Heritage Register items can take longer.
- When does Council require a Photographic Archival Recording?
- A PAR is most commonly required as a deferred condition of consent — that is, lodged with Council before commencement of works. Triggers typically include partial demolition of a heritage item, removal or replacement of significant fabric, internal reconfiguration that affects heritage significance, and demolition of contributory buildings within a Heritage Conservation Area.
- What is the difference between archival recording and a heritage assessment?
- Archival recording documents the physical form of a place as a permanent record, typically before changes occur. A heritage assessment evaluates whether a place has heritage significance and may recommend listing. The two are complementary — an archival record preserves evidence of physical fabric, while a heritage assessment interprets its significance.
Contact our team to discuss your heritage project requirements.
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