This Conservation and Restoration

This historic building and period home was built in the early 1860’s and is listed on the National Register and classified by the National Trust. It is situated an hour out of Melbourne and when originally built was used as a hunting lodge.

During a storm the dining room roof was blown off, knocking the chimney through the ceiling below. PRM constructions made the site secure with tarpaulins and then set about preparing a scope of works which would see the damage repaired and made good in accordance with conservation practices, including those set out in the internationally recognised Burra Charter.

The Burra Charter advocates a cautious approach to change: “do as much as necessary to care for the place and to make it useable, but otherwise change it as little as possible so that its cultural significance is retained”.Where possible, original materials were salvaged and re used.

New materials were obtained which matched the originals as close as possible. For example the galvanised iron roof was originally laid with 6 foot long sheets. Sheets of similar length & gauge were used and these were fixed down with round head screws and lead washers, the screws having to be stripped of their modern zinc coating and then hot dip galvanised prior to use. No silicone or pop rivets were used in this historic building restoration project.

During the repairs a complete photographic record was made of the work carried out and a detailed report was produced including identification of new materials incorporated into the works. This is in accordance with conservation and Burra Charter principals.

Your Home or project may not require the application of strict conservation techniques, but it does deserve the best building practices which we at PRM provide.