Chapter 3—Report on performance
Key performance indicator:
Ensure
the ongoing conservation of the site
Conservation
Conservation works completed or commenced during the year included:
- analysis of the structural integrity of the building’s external render, development of recommendations for treatment, and appropriate treatment for the render on the building’s north face. Sections of render that were previously identified as delaminating from the brickwork, and therefore required immediate treatment to stabilise and ensure the stability and safety of the render into the future, were repaired. This involved removing or restabilising the existing render patching and painting. Repairs were also completed to plaster that was blistering and flaking. The render stabilisation process will be ongoing as part of the maintenance of a heritage facility.
- repairing and re-staining of Members Dining Room exterior doors and windows, in accordance with processes identified in the Heritage Management Plan. The windows surrounding the top of Kings Hall were also repaired and repainted during the year. Such repairs to the building’s external surfaces form part of the building’s ongoing Life Cycle Cost Plan and will continue on an annual basis.
- assessment of the integrity of the drains and sewer lines, resulting in relining and refurbishment of several areas.
A detailed Human Impact Management Program (HIMP) study of the rooms on the Main Floor, including an assessment of heritage floor covering conservation, was carried out between August and September 2009 to provide baseline data. HIMP is an extensive program designed to quantify the impact of human use on the heritage fabric of the building. It uses specifically developed tools that measure small and large changes to fabric condition as a result of human use; information thus gathered informs the use of the building and collections to best ensure the minimisation of detrimental impact while facilitating wider access.
In the Main Floor rooms study details such as the frequency of use, the amount of light in a room, the temperature and relative humidity of each space and sensitivity of the heritage values were coded according to a standard formula and a Vulnerability Index was determined. Using this information a priority list of areas requiring attention was established. The two main areas causing concern were light and floor coverings. In March 2010 an internal focus group met to discuss these issues and determine the best method of resolving those concerns. The resultant recommendations will be implemented in 2010–11.
Two significant projects were undertaken to conserve and reconstruct 82 heritage chairs in extremely poor condition. The conservation process included removing the badly distressed leather, treating it and replacing the seat filling. In many instances, because the leather was so badly deteriorated the chair was reconstructed with a cloth seat to which the leather fragments were fixed. The timber components of the chairs were also conserved during this process. These chairs remain fragile and are suitable for display purposes only.