The conservation of Old Darlington School

Old Darlington School, before the renovations started

Old Darlington School is an important public building of the former suburb of Darlington, Sydney’s smallest municipality. The building is heritage listed under the City of Sydney Local Environment Plan because it contributes significantly to the overall character of the original Darlington campus.

Old Darlington School was designed c1877 by George Allen Mansfield, the architect to the Council of Education. The school opened in April 1878, and nearly 100 years later in 1975, was transferred to the University as part of the University’s expansion into Darlington. The University first renovated the main school building in 1978 for the Department of Music to use as a theatre workshop.

In September 2007, the University of Sydney began conservation work on the façade and roof of the Old Darlington School. The restoration includes the roof, chimneys, vents and exterior masonry. Materials used in the refurbishment are as close to the original as possible, including slate roofing from Newfoundland (Canada) as Welsh slate was not available, copper sheathed roof vents and sandstone moulds and chimney stones from the NSW Department of Commerce reserve (sourced from recent excavations at Pyrmont).

The work to extend the life of the façade is being done in accordance with the recommendations of the 1999 Heritage Fabric Survey. The slate roof needed urgent replacement as many slates had slipped and water entering the building was damaging the internal wooden structure. During renovation, extensive damage caused by white ants has also been remedied.

The restoration will also install access and toilet facilities for persons with disabilities to meet current standards. Work is expected to finish in early 2008, allowing the Old Darlington School to continue as a venue for events, concerts and exhibitions.

The Old Darlington School while the conservation work is being done, as seen from the Sports Centre (top) and the Wentworth footbridge (bottom).

The new roof uses the same construction materials and methods as the original.

The new roof vents are first created in wood (top) then sheathed with copper (bottom) before being installed along the roof's ridgeline.

New sandstone mouldings are replacing worn details. Here you can see new arch mouldings going in over a window (top) and new chimney stones (bottom) capping the project.