Waterproofing the Perth Observatory
Client: The National Trust
The Waterproofing Applicator: Rescue My Concrete, Supreme Coating Systems
Task: Designer Options, Water-Proofing, Anti-Slip Solutions, Repair and Restoration
Skills: Surface Preparation, Over-spray Control, Product Selection, Application Conditions, Even and Appropriate Application
The customer asked to provide different options to permanently waterproof a historic building in the heart of Perth. After the best option was decided upon, legacy material and contaminations had to be carefully removed (including lead flashings and asbestos layers).
Historical Significance of the Perth Observatory
The original Perth Observatory was constructed in 1896 and was officially opened in 1900 by John Forrest, the first premier of Western Australia.
The old Perth Observatory is located at Mount Eliza overlooking the city of Perth and is providing office space for the National Trust today. Its chief roles were keeping Standard Time for Western Australia and collecting meteorological data. It was also closely associated with the co-ordination of the surveys and the mapping of the State.
In November 1900, the centre of the Transit Circle mounting at the Observatory was connected to the State triangulation system and, in 1901, was adopted as the origin of Western Australian Surveys. This historic Datum (and the entire rooftop) had been contaminated with asbestos over the years as different methods of waterproofing were employed.
Rhino Linings’ Solution for Waterproofing the Perth Observatory
Rhino Linings waterproofing solutions not only provided non-toxic and environmentally friendly permanent waterproofing but also re-established the original design for this part of the Perth Observatory building.
Restoration of the Original Concrete Roof
When the original concrete rooftop of Perth Observatory was uncovered, its beautiful features, like drainage channels, step downs, and ornaments, were revealed. These architectural details had been hidden for years beneath layers of old materials.
After careful preparation, the roof was ready for a seamless polyurethane membrane—a modern, high-performance waterproofing solution. The goal was to enhance the roof’s durability while respecting and restoring its historical charm.
Stunning Outcome and Customization
The application of the advanced polyurethane membrane restored the rooftop to its former elegance. But it wasn’t just about looks; the roof’s functionality was also improved.
Applying a UV-stable finish that was specifically matched to the building’s original color preserved the historic appearance completely.
As a result, the roof now has the added benefit of durable weather protection while still looking exactly like it did when it was new.
Removal of Unnecessary By-Products and Full Protection
As part of the project, we removed hundreds of kilos of unnecessary materials that had built up over time—by-products from previous repairs and quick fixes.Due to the removal of them, the construction is now lighter and more durable.
Because of the new seamless membrane, which provides 100% protection against water and environmental damage, the roof is fully protected from the elements and ready for anything that nature may throw at it.
Preserving the Historic Geolocation Datum
One of the key challenges was protecting the historic geolocation datum, an important marker in the building’s history. It would have been expensive to move it, but our team successfully kept the datum in its proper location by sealing and covering the contaminated areas around the footing.
This maintained the building’s historical integrity while also saving the client approximately A$40,000. The roof and its supporting framework are now safeguarded, but the historic aspect is untouched.
ANOTHER VERY HAPPY CUSTOMER!
