Interserve has started renovation works under a £18m contract at the Grade II listed Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst in Berkshire, UK.
The contract for the 200 year old building was awarded by Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) to PriDE which is a collaboration between Interserve and Scottish & Southern Energy Contracting.
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Besides being the college for training cadets into army officers, the building features a museum which preserves gifts from foreign dignitaries and artefacts.
The project, which is expected to be completed by May 2016, involves replacement of roof slates and the removal of nearly 3,000m2 asbestos from roof voids.
Around 58 chimneys will need to be deconstructed and rebuilt for the college building, which will need 1,700 tonnes of scaffolding.
DIO project manager Peter Lillywhite said: "This is a unique building, so this project poses unique challenges – as well as the requirement to maintain operations while the work is done."
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By GlobalDataThe building will continue with its regular operations during the renovation process and will be covered with a specialist fabric façade to conceal the scaffolding.
Interserve site manager Owen Bax said: "The volume and complexity of scaffolding required on this scheme are quite a challenge. So too is the necessity to protect as carefully as possible this historic building and its contents, which are part of Britain’s cultural heritage.
"Throughout the renovation process, we are safeguarding priceless memorabilia, including those located in the building’s ‘India Room’, and shielding unique stained glass windows from damage. This project really is one of a kind."
Image: Renovation of the entire Royal Military Academy building will need 1,700 tonnes of scaffolding. Photo: courtesy of Interserve plc.
