Heritage Conservation Site Visit Journal

JOURNAL

// SITE VISIT

A P P L I ED H E R I TA G E A N D CO N S E RVAT I O N T E CH N I QU E S // A P B L

S U B J E C T

9 0 3 8 5

C O O R D I N A T O R S

PROFESSOR PHILIP GOAD DR GARETH WILSON

8 0 8 1 2 3

SIZHEN WONG

E A S T

M E L B O U R N E

M A N S I O N

MOSSPENNOCH U N I V E R I S T Y

O F

M E L B O U R N E

NEWMAN COLLEGE S O U T H

M E L B O U R N E

P O R TA B L E I R O N H O U S E M E L B O U R N E

C B D

F O R M E R R O YA L M I N T N O R T H

M E L B O U R N E

F O R M E R M E T R O P O L I TA N M E AT M A R K E T

SIZ H E N WONG // 8 0 8 1 2 3

APPLIED HERITAGE AND CONSERVATION TECHNIQUES //APBL 90385 3.

BACKGROUND

MOSSPENNOCH

Mosspennoch House, built in 1881, largely unoccupied for the past 20 years is being restored and adapted as apartments to be incorporated back into the community. The original house was design

by Charles Webb with an extension added in 1890. The dilapidated site is to be salvaged, restored and reinstated to its original Victorian features when possible.

C O N S E R VA T I O N C H A L L A N G E Architects Lovell Chen have taken up the big task of restoring the derelict site. The key conservation challenge in any heritage building is to meet fire regulations requirements and the architects have decided against vertical fire separation as this includes inserting fire escape stairs which largely affects the visual aesthetic and authenticity of the building. Thus, a horizontal technique of applying fire retardant insulation between the dwellings to improve fire separation has been adpoted. Other key aspects of the heritage conservation are the revival of Victorian styled dĂŠcor. The main repairs within the structure are the fixing of cracks and re-rendering of the walls. The running in-situ Cornices (originally a mixture of sand, lime, putty and horsehair) are to be remolded and prefabricated using lime and gypsum plaster. Majority of the bay windows are to be reconstructed alongside the oak and ebony parquet flooring. The ballroom housing the exhibition award wining ventilation system used for the chandelier is to be preserved within the structure. Evidence of an extension within the structure can be seen when the render was stripped to show the two different types of bricks on the wall. This unoriginal extension is to be kept with minor demolitions to accommodate the new apartments.

SIZ H E N WONG // 8 0 8 1 2 3

APPLIED HERITAGE AND CONSERVATION TECHNIQUES //APBL 90385 4.

ORIGINAL DESIGN OF FIREPLACE Evidnce of old crank system patched

PAINT : PEEL AWAY Re-painting using silicate paint system

REPAIRS WITHIN Running situ cornice to be restored using molds.

EXHIBITION AWARD WINNING SYSTEM Soft handmade brick shown

ELEMENTS FROM THE HOUSE TO BE REUSED

TERRA COTTA LUMBER MATERIAL Terra Cotta mixed with sawdust

SIZ H E N WONG // 8 0 8 1 2 3

APPLIED HERITAGE AND CONSERVATION TECHNIQUES //APBL 90385 5.

FINIALS RECONSTRUCTRED USING PRECAST CONCRETE For better durability, pliability and control.

Surface was sandblasted to minimize shine COPPER ROOF TO BE REPLACE

BACKGROUND

NEWMAN COLLEGE

The inception of Newman College began in 1915, sketched by Architect Walter Griffin. It was designed to showcase the Oxford Styled living in Melbourne. The original design was to have two symmetrical wings with the central chapel surrounded by gardens. However, only the eastern portion of the college was built due to lack of funds. The building is encased in rough-cut stone, framing the smooth sandstone structure, referencing the symbolic nature of earth (rough-cut) ascending into heaven (crystalline sandstone).

C O N S E R VA T I O N C H A L L A N G E Weathering of the original sandstone is the main concern for the exterior of this structure. An alternative stone was decided due to the short lifespan of the original sandstone (20 years). The hunt for a stone with a similar granular consistency, colour and compatible chemistry is the biggest challenge.

Beaudesert Sandstone was chosen and used to re-render each individual stone as the authenticity lies in the design and not the material. Additionally, the amount available to be mined is very limited due to the lack of natural resources, funds and overall demand for that specific stone to be quarried.

Another issue with stone is the discolouration of the stone, which can affect the aesthetic quality of the building. Another conservation challenge is in regards to the vegetation surrounding the structure.

There is a high possibility that the roots of the trees are growing into the foundations, causing water to leech into the footings below. The expansion and contraction of the footings have caused minor shifts in the footings, resulting in cracks along the wall. A solution could be to limit the amount of watering to the plants or minimize vegetation along the walls of the structure. The dome of the structure has been refurbished alongside its finials to resemble the original design.

SIZ H E N WONG // 8 0 8 1 2 3

APPLIED HERITAGE AND CONSERVATION TECHNIQUES //APBL 90385 6.

COPPER CAPPING TO BE REPLACED Outwards projections help protect the stone from weathering

DELAMINATION OF ORIGINAL SANDSTONE Risks of Injuries due to falling stone

POWERFUL GEOMRTY DESIGNED Unique vented windows

original stone with hairline cracks DISCOLOURATION OF DIFFERENT STONES beaudesert sandstone CRACKING DUE TO SHIFTING OF FOOTINGS

SHIFTTING OF FOOTINGS Rotation in the foundation causing fractures and cracks. This elevation is to be restored next...

BLISTERING FROM UNKNOWN SOURCE

SIZ H E N WONG // 8 0 8 1 2 3

APPLIED HERITAGE AND CONSERVATION TECHNIQUES //APBL 90385 7.

BACKGROUND

PORTABLE IRON HOUSE

Portable iron houses are rare surviving examples of 19th century prefabricated dwellings. The ease of fabrication made it desirable during the gold rush where migrants could place a catalogue order from England to be packed and shipped to a new location. There are 3 portable buildings currently residing on this location but only the Patterson House is on its original site whereas the Abercrombie House and Bellhouse has been relocated to be preserved due to risk of demolition. Protected by the National Trust of Australia, these houses are the humble beginnings of early prefabrication within Australia. It was constructed with a mixture of Iron and wood, but due the lack of insulation, the popularity of prefabricated iron houses died out.

C O N S E R VA T I O N C H A L L A N G E All the houses were custom designed with instructions for anybody to construct. The Patterson house is a double storey house with timber interior and majority of the windows are cast iron. Bellhouse may be the remaining example by Edward T. Bellhouse and was on exhibition at Crystal Palace. The significant elements of the house are that it uses horizontal sheets fitted into cast iron columns shared to fit the curve of the corrugation. The Abercrombie House is at this stage requiring the most attention as the external iron has rusted, and peeling paint and wallpaper can be seen on both the exterior and interior of the building. Understanding the type of metal is essential to decide conservation techniques to be undertaken. Painted metal should be cleaned with specific solvent mixtures to help slow down corrosion rates. In the case of Abercrombie house, some parts might be replaced if and when necessary whereas careful cleaning and layering of protective coats may be the solution to keep authenticity of the portable iron house.

SIZ H E N WONG // 8 0 8 1 2 3

APPLIED HERITAGE AND CONSERVATION TECHNIQUES //APBL 90385 8.

ABERCROMBIE HOUSE Derelict internal conditions

BELLHOUSE corrugation intergrated with the columns

ABERCROMBIE HOUSE Red rust resulting from atmopsheric conditions

ABERCROMBIE HOUSE Constant exposure to elements causing paint peeling

ABERCROMBIE HOUSE Broken parts to be patched over

SIZ H E N WONG // 8 0 8 1 2 3

PATTERSON HOUSE Narrow stairscase leading up to the bedroom - timber interior shown

APPLIED HERITAGE AND CONSERVATION TECHNIQUES //APBL 90385 9.

BACKGROUND

FORMER ROYAL MINT

The Royal Mint building was designed by architect J.J Clark and is under the heritage registration due to the significant architectural renaissance revival style. The former Royal Mint building remained the branch controlled by London for 96 years and sits on crown land, which is owned by the government.

Besides the strong symmetry and grandeur design of the structure, the surrounding elements within the grounds of the site is also high regarded as part of heritage list.

C O N S E R VA T I O N C H A L L A N G E Majority of the conservation challenges have been to the surrounding walls that enclose the former Royal Mint building. The deterioration of the northern wall facing La Trobe St is evident as old patch works cover a substantial corner of the wall. The discoloration seen is not ideal and the mortar used for the patchwork looks to be cement causing the bricks in the wall to degrade. Weathering on the wall washes away the lime mortar over time and the movement of the ground is producing more cracks increasing the likelihood of failure. Engineers are currently monitoring the movement of the wall over time and seasonally to gauge the amount of rotation happening on the corner of the site. Over the years, the wall has accumulated a thick layer of dirt (black crust), allowing vegetation to take root. It exacerbates the situation further thus the plan as instructed would be to build a retaining wall underground offset from the wall to relive the outward force to stabilize the wall. Crack stitching and re-pointing will be applied where necessary and the brick will be cleaned with a weak acidic cleaner as grit and sandblasting may damage the brick even more. The corner is going to be designed as a public outdoor garden with planter boxes to allow for better integration with the public realm.

SIZ H E N WONG // 8 0 8 1 2 3

APPLIED HERITAGE AND CONSERVATION TECHNIQUES //APBL 90385 10.

DELAMINATION OF ORIGINAL SANDSTONE Brick peer removed and to be replaced

CRACKED STITCHING Bad repointing using cement rich mortar

BAD QUALITY PATCHING Using cement rich mortar limiting movement between bricks causing larger cracks

SIZ H E N WONG // 8 0 8 1 2 3

poor quality corner stone repaired VEGETATION CAUSING MORE DAMAGE roots causing more water to penetrate the brick wall

APPLIED HERITAGE AND CONSERVATION TECHNIQUES //APBL 90385 11.

METROPOLITAN MEAT MARKET BACKGROUND The Former Metropolitan Meat Market is located within the business precinct within Melbourne of the time and remains the only one standing today. George R. Johnson designed the structure in 1879 and is currently being used as a commercial structure as an adaptive reuse space to house various events.

The Classical style of the building is constructed with brick with a decorative render coat, as it was aesthetically practical during the time construction. This building is an early example of mixed use as it housed pubs and banks alongside the market to generate more revenue. The state government currently owns the site and a grant is given to maintain the heritage site.

C O N S E R VA T I O N C H A L L A N G E The building is currently well maintained as events occur frequently within the beautiful barrel vaulted hall. Due to the sensitive nature of the site, most events involving alcoholic drinks are banned. The issues with marrying contemporary events within a heritage building is the props and equipment required can only be fitted and not attached to the structure. The cobble-stoned floor is constructed upon soft ground therefore it has to be re- d every 5 to 6 years due to wear and tear. The barrel-vaulted ceiling is designed to draw heat up to keep the meat cold but with the repurposed use of the site, the venue is constantly cold, increasing the use of mechanical heating. Keeping the structure air tight is the main issue as it fluxuates with the temperature, as well as the rising damp on the first floor of the structure.

The reacticve nature of this site makes it very unpredictable for allocation of funding. The single access to the garden is narrow which limits the use to the space. A proposal for redesign is on its way, however everything requires large amounts of time and council approval, restricting the works taking place. The plan is to open up the garden as a secondary entry way for better accessibility to the very limited site.

SIZ H E N WONG // 8 0 8 1 2 3

APPLIED HERITAGE AND CONSERVATION TECHNIQUES //APBL 90385 12.

TOOLING ON BLUESTONE Labour intensive detailed work

NARROW STAIRS LEADING INTO GARDEN

ATTACHMENTS OF STAGE EQUIPMENT

UNWANTED ADDTIONS Stairs leading into kitchen built in 2005 - visually distruptive and cannot be removed.

SIZ H E N WONG // 8 0 8 1 2 3

REPAINTING OF ORIGINAL TIMBER STRUCTURE originally a beige yellow

APPLIED HERITAGE AND CONSERVATION TECHNIQUES //APBL 90385 13.

FIN T H A N K

SIZ H E N WONG // 8 0 8 1 2 3

Y O U

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