PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS

• Restrictive Site Access
• Live Operating Environment
• Staged Project Delivery
• Remediation & Conservation Works
• Specialist Trades and Project Elements
• Central CBD Site Location

Following the successful completion of the Building 4 restorations in 2018, RMIT was pleased to award McCorkell with the contract to restore the Francis Ormond Building (B1) and the Former Magistrates’ Court (B20), located in Melbourne’s CBD.

Roof restoration works involved removing the old slate tiles which were causing significant water egress issues for the University and replacing them with brand new Welsh slate tiles. In addition to the new slate, the rainwater goods were also refurbished. This consisted of a mixture of works to galvanized, cast iron, and copper guttering with associated down piping being replaced or restored in line with the original fabrics of the building. Stone refurbishment works consisted of a series of limestone and sandstone replacements to areas that had delaminated over the lifetime of the building. Some pieces were completely replaced and others were restored through an indent repair process. There were also a number of detailed stone volutes which were hand-carved on site prior to being installed.

In addition to the external works, there were also internal restorations which were completed in both buildings. The three former magistrate courtrooms had become particularly weathered over time, leading to a complete restoration returning them to their original condition. This involved rendering, leadlight window restorations, french polishing of timber work, carpet replacement, and many other restoration trades, returning the building to its original beauty.

To the delight of our client, the project was successfully delivered two and a half months earlier than the contracted program.