Lecture: Restoring our Icons – The Royal Exhibition Buildings

Restoring our Icons

National Archaeology Week 2010 Lecture Series

Tuesday 18 May 2010, 6-7pm

Melbourne International Exhibition, September 25, 1880. Image from the State Library of Victoria

Peter Lovell and Fraser Brown talk about work on Australia’s first built World Heritage Listed site.

Major conservation and restoration work has been undertaken on the Royal Exhibition Building and Carlton Gardens over the past four decades. Architecture and heritage consultants Peter Lovell and Fraser Brown from Lovell Chen have actively contributed to the renaissance of the complex that culminated in its 2004 inscription on the World Heritage List.

Projects undertaken at various times included the removal of massive additions, external and internal fabric conservation, and subtle adaptive reuse works. They were responsible for reroofing works, including the stabilisation and re-slating of the dome, and extensive render repair and reconstruction – the north façade has largely been rebuilt. Inside, the 1901 decorative treatment was investigated and reconstructed and the vast area of the main floor progressively replaced.

Most recently, an archaeological investigation of the site was undertaken to search for traces of historic garden beds and other landscape features that might provide a basis for the German Garden’s reconstruction, which will be undertaken according to the original 19th century design. For further details of the archaeological investigation and the restoration of the garden see the Museum blog: http://museumvictoria.com.au/reb/about-us/world-heritage-world-futures/blog/

Join us at Melbourne Museum to hear how these men have approached the architectural and landscape conservation and restoration of this iconic site.

Venue: The Age Theatre, Melbourne Museum

Cost: Free

Bookings are essential, phone 13 11 02

For more details about what’s on at the Museum visit the events page http://museumvictoria.com.au/melbournemuseum/whatson/

1 comment for “Lecture: Restoring our Icons – The Royal Exhibition Buildings

  1. May 17, 2020 at 10:50 pm

    I would love to go to that lecture tomorrow night, but the timing doesn’t suit :(

    Anyhow I have had a good look at the renovated and completed version of the Exhibition Building over the last few years eg when the Antique Roadshow were here in Melbourne. But some original photos of the interior would have been helpful on that very cold day.

    I added a link to my post at http://melbourneblogger.blogspot.com/2008/12/importance-of-universal-exhibitions.html but I really need to come back to the topic in more detail. Thanks for the link
    Hels

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