Australia House Defence and Lightwells Refurbishment, Australian High Commission, London

Purpose

The objective of the DFAT works proposal is to fully refurbish three lightwells and Level Four of Australia House, London. Specifically, the proposal aims to raise the building to meet modern standards:

• to ensure compliance with current occupational health and safety (OH&S) regulations;
• to provide an acceptable standard of amenity for tenants;
• to ensure the ongoing viability of the property in respect of income generation; and
• to redress degradation of lightwell areas.¹

Need

Australia House was constructed between 1913 and 1918, and is therefore, around ninety years old. Despite continued maintenance, decades of normal wear and tear, and exposure to the elements has necessitated the replacement of the original ‘Crittal’ window frames and glazing in the three building lightwells, and repairs to the drainage systems and brickwork.² Associated work will include the erection of temporary structures required to execute the lightwell refurbishment, and to facilitate the entry and egress of materials and personnel required for the Level Four refurbishment.³

Refurbishment of Level Four, occupied by the Department of Defence, is required due to changes in Defence staffing, access and functions, and the ageing of the current fit-out. Ad hoc accommodation of operational functions over a number of years has resulted in a dysfunctional layout and a concomitant loss of efficiency. In addition, the facility no longer meets OH&S requirements. DFAT believes that a purpose-designed fit-out will enable increased operational efficiency as well as creating accommodation that will satisfy OH&S and Building Code of Australia (BCA) requirements.⁴

Scope

The proposed refurbishment project will entail:

• construction of temporary accommodation and the relocation (to Levels Five and Six) of the existing Level Four tenant (Defence) to facilitate proposed works;
• demolition and removal of the existing Level Four fit-out;
• refurbishment of base building finishes and services;
• new office fit-out for Defence;
• additional toilet and shower facilities;
• high pressure cleaning of lightwells;
• repairs to damaged lightwell areas;
• replacement of damaged cast iron drainage pipework;
• replacement of glazing facing into the lightwells; and
• removal of old and non-used surface ductwork and other miscellaneous pipework, services and fittings in the lightwells.⁵

Project Delivery

DFAT proposes a traditional project delivery methodology comprising detailed design, documentation, construction tendering and contracting. DFAT maintains that this method represents best value for money and gives the department full control of all project delivery stages.⁶It is proposed that a single fixed lump-sum construction contract will be awarded for the works.⁷

Cost

The estimated cost of the proposed works is $11.98 million. This figure includes:

• construction costs;
• consultants’ fees;
• project management and supervision;
• travel expenses; and
• British Government Value Added Tax (VAT) of 17.5 per cent.⁸