Melbourne Polytechnic Chimney

Quatrefoil provided a detailed assessment of a substantial (30m) brick chimney at Melbourne Polytechnic’s Fairfield Campus. The campus is on the grounds of the former Fairfield Hospital, which is included in the Victorian Heritage Register [place number H1878] for its architectural, aesthetic, historical and social significance. The former Fairfield Hospital opened in 1904, and various buildings were constructed - many in a consistent Federation style - throughout its period of operation until its closure in 1996.

The chimney formed part of the former hospital’s Boiler House, which was constructed in 1916 and adapted in 1944-45. Several brick units had been observed falling from the chimney and it was consequently netted (temporarily) until we could prepare a suite of remedial works to stabilise the structure. Various methods were used, including Helifix stitching, and repointing externally and internally.