Old Museum Building conservation work

Terra cotta balustraded parapets, verandas and stairs are characteristic features of the Old Museum building, and typical of the architect G H M Addison’s work. Most of the parapets had been removed, and were reconstructed with custom-made terra cotta components. Special attention to matching the colour of the originals paid off.

In this project I assisted Project Services (the professional services arm of the Queensland Department of Public Works) to design and document conservation work on the Old Museum Building, in accordance with the 2000 conservation management plan.

Project Services updated the survey of the fabric that I had directed in 1989, and developed contract documentation for exterior repairs to the concert hall wing. The work involved extensive brickwork repair and repointing, repair of the stucco dressings, replacement of the roof sheeting and rainwater goods, and structural upgrades to the roof framing,

I gave advice on the details of this work, and prepared a report on the impact on cultural significance for submission to the Queensland Heritage Council.

High level view of the building, with one wing coloured

An illustration I prepared for the heritage impact report. I removed colour from parts of the image to make clear which parts of the complex site were affected by the proposal.

The proposals were clearly documented and were consistent with the conservation management plan. The heritage council recommended to the Minister for Public Works that the work should proceed. The exterior conservation of the concert hall wing was completed in 2006

project details

Client: Project Services & Department of Public Works

Collaborators: Chris Klar, Senior Architect, Project Services

Year: 2004-2006

filed under Adaptation + Government building