Long term view
As the first home of Victoria University, the Hunter Building is a Wellington treasure.
But preserving its character while also maintaining its ongoing functionality is always going to be a challenge for the University. To ensure the best value for their investment, they are using the planning and historic building expertise of The Building Intelligence Group.
The result has been the development of a combined maintenance and conservation plan to help planning works to the historic Hunter and Robert Stout buildings. This will run in line with Victoria University's strategic asset management plan.
The system is intended to avoid surprises and help ensure maintenance is funded in a manageable way, says Ian Williams of Victoria University Facilities Management.
He notes that the University is a "multi-century" institution and therefore takes a long-term strategic view in its decision-making. That approach holds true for asset ownership and management. "This dictates that all decisions be taken on a whole-of-life basis rather than focusing on the initial capital or construction investment."
For example, The Building Intelligence Group survey on the Hunter Building noted that flat roofing material used in 1990s seismic upgrade work has a life of 15 to 20 years. At the time this was probably used due to budget constraints, says The Building Intelligence Group project manager Martin Brown. "But the work involved in replacing this material is complex, so a longer life product would be of greater benefit."
Within the framework of its new maintenance and conservation plan, the recommendation is to ideally use copper or zinc in the replacement roofing work, he says.
"Whilst more costly than a membrane roofing material, copper or zinc is a better investment. Sheet metal material not only lasts up to twice as long, but research shows it was used in the original gutters and flashings to the building, so has added heritage value."
Martin notes that such decisions recognise the University's interest as long-term owners and are made in consultation with the University's heritage architect, Ian Bowman, in liaison with Wellington City Council's urban planning and historic planning team and the Historic Places Trust.
With any building, ongoing maintenance is needed - but with historic buildings their very nature requires a greater level of planning and prioritisation, Martin says.
Photos are courtesy of The Beaglehole Room Collection, Victoria University.
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