This project involved the modification and reconstruction of roof and wall structures to over 337 public buildings across the island over a five year, state government funded program. The project also included the investigation, reporting, documentation and ultimately the structural restoration of 29 of WA’s most historically significant heritage-listed buildings in liaison with a heritage architect and Heritage WA.
Project challenges:
The program priorities were to preserve historical construction fabric whilst achieving ongoing public safety, building durability and building code compliance. WGE set up a temporary office on the island completing the restoration program over 3-4 months each year for six years.
Our approach:
In some cases, original 100-year-old timber roof shingles in conjunction with a sealed lime slurry ceiling structure required the development of a bespoke and sensitive approach in order to achieve adequate tie down and roof strengthening.
The variety in shortcomings, building types and issues encountered, along with the logistics of the island location required a flexible, sensitive and often innovative mindset. WGE provided resident structural engineering, site supervision and contract superintendence services.
