WINNER: GOVERNMENT HOUSE UNISA
The restoration of the 164 year old Government House, a National Monument, was carried out with the view to restoring it in the spirit in which the original structures were built. To ensure its functionality in the modern age, spaces were adapted to cater for new functions and modern services were integrated as inconspicuously as possible.
The restoration process went as follows:
Termite infestation – An extermination contractor was employed to thoroughly treat the entire structure. This required the injection of Fipronil at one meter intervals along the bases of all walls which originated from ground level, spraying of all floor spaces and treatment at wall plate level.
Foundations and Walls – Where required, foundations were underpinned and repaired. Deteriorated red-brick walls were repaired by the removal of the damaged bricks and replaced with reclaimed bricks from various sources.
Floors and Joists – Two rows of floor boards were removed in every one of the 80 rooms and the joists examined for damage, infestation or rot. Repairs ranged from removal of the floor boards together with the total replacement of floor joists down to “keyhole surgery” to repair damaged individual members.
Roof trusses, ceilings and roof coverings – Several truck-loads of dirt were taken out of the roof space and the trusses examined for damage. Yellow wood of a similar age and colour were sourced nationally and utilized were necessary.
All original wet and electrical services were removed and replaced with new. Power skirting was set into walls and covered with the original style timber skirting. New data services were run through existing wall and roof spaces to ensure that they were concealed.
