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Old Perth Boys School

Upgrading systems in a listed building

  • $1.5M

    Project Value

  • 500

    Square Metres

  • Perth, Western Australia

    Perth, Western Australia

Heritage buildings require more stringent protective measures during restoration and re-development

Constructed in 1854, the Old Perth Boys' School was the first purpose-built public school in Perth. Designed by Richard Roach Jewell in Gothic Revival Style, the school remained in use as an educational facility for over 130 years. However, this single-storey limestone building with its steeply pitched roof and narrow, vertical buildings was transitioning into an office space, and it needed restored and updated services.

As a listed building, all works had to be undertaken without harming any elements of heritage significance. Our job? Contributing mechanical, electrical, acoustic, and sustainability design services.

The air conditioning system had to allow for uninsulated roofs and solid limestone walls—plus, the location and limited space restricted opportunities for condenser plants. The selected unit was a variable refrigerant volume system with floor-mounted console units that provided air conditioning with an external condensing unit hidden below ground level. Filtered outside air is drawn through underfloor ducting and is delivered directly to each floor-mounted console unit, encroaching as little as possible on the heritage building. Services that also required upgrading included fire detection, fibre backbone cabling, and emergency warning systems.

With these updates in place, the Old Perth Boys' School can continue as a utilised heritage of face space, servicing a new community of wake.

At a Glance

Offices
Architect
Heritage Architect
Meet Our Team

Andrew Wakelam, Principal, Mechanical Group Leader, WA

I’m a people person—I thrive on the collaborative process with both the project design team and between the disciplines at Stantec.
Andrew Wakelam Principal, Mechanical Group Leader, WA Read More

Imran Khan, Principal, Commercial Market Leader, WA

There’s always acoustic complexities to be resolved, and I relish the opportunity to create environments that meet my client’s needs.
Imran Khan Principal, Commercial Market Leader, WA Read More

Rebecca Dracup, Associate, Sustainability Project Technical Lead

My goal is to provide sustainability designs that maintain or accentuate the project intent.
Rebecca Dracup Associate, Sustainability Project Technical Lead Read More

Andrew Wakelam

Principal, Mechanical Group Leader, WA

Imran Khan

Principal, Commercial Market Leader, WA

Rebecca Dracup

Associate, Sustainability Project Technical Lead

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