Conserving the First Refrigeration Unit in Australia at Urrbrae House

Fabric of Life is currently undertaking the conservation of the textile components of Australia’s first refrigeration unit — a unique project that bridges industrial history with textile heritage.

The woollen textiles associated with this unit have suffered extensive degradation, including large sections of fibre loss and structural damage. Our conservation team is working to stabilise and preserve these historic materials using tailored techniques that honour both their historical integrity and the technical innovation they represent.

This project highlights the surprising role of textiles in industrial design and underscores their significance in shaping Australia’s material history.