Over the past few weeks, the building teams moved upstairs switching their focus to renovating our high school classrooms, kitchen and accommodation. The first step was to replace the pre-existing asbestos roof…
From the start of the design process architects Claudia and Byron wanted to ensure that any alterations would remain fit-for-purpose for the next 50 years or more. Removing the asbestos was a priority both in terms of safety and enabling us to introduce a new roof design. As part of the design process, we played around with a number of ideas, from building another floor up to building out the side all under one roof and even to dreaming of a planted green roof. Eventually, through a process of elimination in line with our budget, we ended up with a design which raised 1/3 of the pre-existing roof. With the remaining roof to be replaced with new sheets, insulation and ceiling board.
Removing asbestos requires a strict procedure to protect the health and safety of everyone on site. So, for the first few days it felt like we had the ghost buster crew at the house! This efficient team worked quickly and before long, all the original timber trusses were exposed and ready for new roof panels.
Almost as fast the new panels of aluminium roof sheets went on, the change from the aged and faded red to a classic charcoal was incredible. Now the Centre began to blend in with the mountain and all her glory.
Raising 1/3 of the roofing was the most exciting part of the build to date. It was located above the kitchen where we will cook delicious meals and host cooking lessons for the children. Throughout the early design stages, we wanted to create a space which evokes a feeling of elevated spirits. By raising the roof plate to create an internal height of over 4m and with exposed timber trusses, we will certainly achieve this!
Be sure to check in again next week to follow the progress of the roof as well as the foundations for our new classroom spaces…
