Takapuna Grammar School
Multi-million upgrade for Takapuna Grammar School
The original Auckland Art Gallery, the Church of Scientology’s HQ in Grafton and now the North Shore’s iconic Takapuna Grammar School’s main building. These are not as prestigious as London’s Royal Admiralty Arch on which Stephen worked some years ago, but the red brick heritage building of the school has suffered a similar fate to those already mentioned.
Most of the parapets on historically significant buildings are made in stone and for aesthetic purposes, the gutters are installed behind the parapet so they are hidden. Over time, however, the stone becomes porous, soaks up water and leaks into the building. Some classrooms in the Takapuna Grammar main block have been out of action for some time due to leaks and some structural defects which are now part of the refurbishment.
Due to the shape of these artistically created designs of unique period buildings, they are difficult to cover/repair using traditional metals – the only suitable material is lead.
Working with lead is a skill acquired over a lengthy apprenticeship and with Stephen keen to educate and upskill in this specialised field, he has engaged two young installers to assist on the replacement of the lead copings around the perimeter of the walls of the roof. David and Jason are learning something completely new which is not covered in the curriculum for National Certificate in Roofing.
Lead from DLM Wallace, Bronze sponsor of RANZ, is supplied in widths which are then shaped and welded on site using the oxyacetylene equipment. Main contractor Woodview Construction is supplying cherry pickers to lift the material and the installers to the rooftop. Stephen has been working in tandem with Monier roofing installers who are replacing old battens and reroofing the main block in concrete tiles, incorporating seven large vents as part of the upgrade.
Professional roofing started work at Takapuna Grammar in the winter of 2017.
Credit for article and photo – Rooflink Magazine issue 85
The original Auckland Art Gallery, the Church of Scientology’s HQ in Grafton and now the North Shore’s iconic Takapuna Grammar School’s main building. These are not as prestigious as London’s Royal Admiralty Arch on which Stephen worked some years ago, but the red brick heritage building of the school has suffered a similar fate to those already mentioned.
Most of the parapets on historically significant buildings are made in stone and for aesthetic purposes, the gutters are installed behind the parapet so they are hidden. Over time, however, the stone becomes porous, soaks up water and leaks into the building. Some classrooms in the Takapuna Grammar main block have been out of action for some time due to leaks and some structural defects which are now part of the refurbishment.
Due to the shape of these artistically created designs of unique period buildings, they are difficult to cover/repair using traditional metals – the only suitable material is lead.
Working with lead is a skill acquired over a lengthy apprenticeship and with Stephen keen to educate and upskill in this specialised field, he has engaged two young installers to assist on the replacement of the lead copings around the perimeter of the walls of the roof. David and Jason are learning something completely new which is not covered in the curriculum for National Certificate in Roofing.
Lead from DLM Wallace, Bronze sponsor of RANZ, is supplied in widths which are then shaped and welded on site using the oxyacetylene equipment. Main contractor Woodview Construction is supplying cherry pickers to lift the material and the installers to the rooftop. Stephen has been working in tandem with Monier roofing installers who are replacing old battens and reroofing the main block in concrete tiles, incorporating seven large vents as part of the upgrade.
Professional roofing started work at Takapuna Grammar in the winter of 2017.
Credit for article and photo – Rooflink Magazine issue 85
