ANU: BIRCH BUILDING
REFURBISHMENT, ACT
Project Overview
The redevelopment of the historic Birch Building was an expansive, comprehensive project, including full refurbishment of the building to meet current building standards. The Birch building was constructed in 1967 and has significant heritage value to the Australian National University.
The award winning refurbishment project, which now houses the College of Engineering & Computer Sciences, called for Hindmarsh to protect, retain and reuse Heritage components from the original build. Overall, the works package included structural augmentation, new roof inc. plant room, replacement of existing concrete, landscaping to the exterior, a new Macro Lab and a new Central Plant room.
Structures within the building were strengthened to accommodate modern day building services and allow for an additional storey to be added for the large plant room. Works included reengineered load paths and footings, heavy steel bracing walls, and a new reinforced roof structure capable of supporting increased building services loads.
Key Features
- Heritage 'live' site refurbishment works providing contemporary teaching spaces, modern learning environments & PC1 / PC2 certified research laboratories
- Careful reuse of legacy heritage materials including copper roof fascia, unique precast facade, atrium staircases and coffered floor slabs
The Hindmarsh Difference
Early works included existing services isolation and reticulation undertaken concurrently with Hazmat removal, as we identified that 25kg of Mercury had been spilt during the life of the building operations. Hindmarsh understand the intricacies of working on legacy research sites where unexpected materials my be unearthed. We partner with specialists to ensure the safe management and disposal of any high-risk materials.
The ANU campus is busy all year round. At all times we were conscious of the projects surroundings and provide continuous schedule updates to key stakeholders to keep disruption to an absolute minimum. We provided a twice weekly ‘look ahead’ each Friday, which was posted onto the ANU Intranet. These updates included information on general site progress, road closures, service disruptions and planned activities.