“I can confirm that Nigel Armstrong of Patton Building successfully completed the conservation and adaption of the Former Bannister Mill (“The Mill”) in Nairn Street, Fremantle. The c.1860’s Limestone Mil was built over a number of phases during the colonial period in Fremantle and was constructed using the crude building techniques of the period, principally with limestone rubble walls and basic timber framing.
The works involved considerable stabilisation and reconstruction of the limestone walls that had been badly affected by salt-laden rising damp and previous ill-advised restoration attempts. The work also included making some changes to the fabric of the building to accommodate residential use. These had to be handled sensitively to protect the existing fabric during construction and to ensure changes were suitably revealed. Parts of the builder required new structural element to be added to ensure the ongoing conservation of the building.
The project was completed in 2009 for approximate value of $2 million of which approximately half was spent on conservation and adaption works. The finished product consists of a highquality house and guest house. The building contract was administered by Andrew Sullivan Architect. The project required the builder to work closely with the Architect and a number of specialist sub-contractors, including the stonemason. The nature of the works required a considerable review, assessment and decision making on site and the original fabric was progressively revealed.
Patton Building were competent and constructive in carrying out the Mill project and I am pleased to recommend Nigel Armstrong and Patton Building for other similar works.”
Andrew Sullivan – Andrew Sullivan Architect
