CHALLENGE

Building 001 is the first defence building erected in Sydney, a prominent historical landmark designed with commanding beauty and elegance. This grand icon needed attention after long decades of service, prompting The Department of Defence to engage PCB to revitalise the heritage building with a full refurbishment and lead paint removal works to restore the glory of its large, intricate façade. Being a highly populated Defence establishment it was not feasible to have personnel vacate the building for the duration of the works.

SOLUTION

PCB liaised closely with the client, superintendent, and base occupants in implementing a program of works divided into four stages to ensure works were safely carried out whilst enabling the base to relocate fewer personnel at any one time. A ‘power-shrink’ encapsulation of the scaffolding to the perimeter was implemented during each stage to allow the complete isolation and containment of the entire block being worked upon from its surrounds to ensure the safety of personnel in adjacent occupied areas throughout. Expertise managing both heritage and hazardous materials remediation was necessary to enable successful delivery. Over decades multiple layers of paints of varying types had accumulated, presenting a laborious removal process. PCB devised and successfully implemented two lead paint solutions: Chemical removal utilising the ‘Peel-Away’ product and soda blasting in contained areas where paint layers were even more substantially built up. Further scope included heritage sandstone repairs and repointing, heritage timber window repairs, heritage structural timber repairs, electrical/fire/data works, heritage timber repainting and furniture removal, storage, and re-installation.