VALUE: $13M

YEAR: 2019-2020

DURATION: 14 months

CLIENT: Deptartment of Finance

REFEREE: Mick Armour

PHONE: 02 6215 2222

SUMMARY

A decade after construction of the National Portrait Gallery, the basement waterproof membrane showed signs of failure, threatening the integrity of the building and valuable artworks. To remediate the issue, a new waterproof membrane was proposed to be installed over two stages. Following the successful delivery of Stage 1 Investigation Works, the second stage of works included replacement of the failed waterproof membrane at the podium and entrance, structural concrete remediation, replacement of window units and replacement of timber floor and subfloors throughout the galleries.

Installation of the replacement waterproofing membrane required demolition and reinstatement of all exterior architectural toppings. To mitigate against the risk of potential damage to the new membrane during reinstatement works, the team developed an innovative permanent floating aluminium formwork system, which simplified construction and defines the contrast of polished concrete toppings throughout the podium.

Other key features of the project included complex artwork lifts, balustrade replacements, mobile display wall construction and architectural lighting

PROJECT FEATURES

Extensive detailed demolition of both interior and exterior elements

Strengthening of deflected architectural concrete slabs

Detailed non-destructive engineering assessments

Technical waterproofing and flood testing

Technical crane lifts, including sculpture rigging

Design and construct movable artwork display walls

Reconstruction of detailed polished concrete

Reconstruction of structural subfloor elements

Installation of Tasmanian blue gum timber flooring

Detailed marble stonemasonry

Installation of oversized double-glazed units

In house concrete maturity testing

Stringent air quality monitoring

Detailed landscaping works