Water Tower

In 2015, Stephen Carrick Architects and Peter Baxendale Consulting Engineer started assisting the Catholic Archdiocese of Perth with a State Registered c1918 timber water tower with a cast iron tank at St Charles Seminary, Guildford. The water tank was no longer in use. The initial assistance was in the form of heritage advice, investigating the feasibility of conserving the structure. Various options were costed by HWA Quantity Surveyors to assist with the recommended approach. Following the evaluation of options and liaison with the State Heritage Office a ‘like for like’ conservation approach was considered the preferred method for conservation.

In 2019, Stephen Carrick Architects prepared documentation for the conservation works and assisted with all applications required by the regulatory authorities.

The tender for the works was awarded to Colgan Industries in March 2020. Works began at the end of April and concluded in July.

The documentation coded each building element in a schedule. This coding was used on site by the Builder to highlight the extent of timber replacement. This process ensured efficient use of the large timber sections and limited any wastage.

The replacement 310 x 310m jarrah timber columns were sourced by the Builder from the original Hamilton Street Bridge in West Leederville. The new jarrah replacement sections were scarfed into the original timber. Lead capping was fixed  to the end sections of timber joists to the tank platform to protect against further deterioration.   The new galvanised roof and stainless steel connection details contrast with the original materials. The original c1910 cast iron water tank from Sheffield, England was lightly cleaned with a wire brush and finished with a coat of fish oil.  Uplighting and a date stencil applied to one of the columns assist with highlighting this significant structure.

Stephen Carrick Architects were pleased to assist the Catholic Archdiocese of Perth with the conservation of the c1918 timber water tower at St Charles Seminary, Guildford.