Album info

  • Title: Salvaging the CSO administration building
  • Description: During May 2004 the heritage-listed Commonwealth Solar Observatory building went through a "salvage and make safe" process. The work was carried out by HABKA Constructions and Demolition. The fire damage to building and contents was such that none of the library, records or archives of the observatory were salvagable. Only "horrible relics" were recovered.

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Salvaging the CSO administration building

  • Relics from the drawing office.

    • Relics from the drawing office.
    • Views: 2982

  • Library, ready for cleanout.

    • Library, ready for cleanout.
    • Views: 3157

  • 16 months after the fire, the shelves still hold "books". As soon as the shelves were bumped the ashes collapsed in a

    • 16 months after the fire, the shelves still h…
    • Views: 3081

  • Opening a filing cabinet. Only ash in this one as well.

    • Opening a filing cabinet. Only ash in this on…
    • Views: 3073

  • Clearing the library. Note the different floor levels. There were at least 4 different levels of underfloor in the library.

    • Clearing the library. Note the different floo…
    • Views: 3346

  • In several cases, lead flashing has melted and run onto brickwork, producing a negative moulding of the brick brand.

    • In several cases, lead flashing has melted an…
    • Views: 7125

  • Shoring up a "wonky" wall in the old tea room.

    • Shoring up a "wonky" wall in the ol…
    • Views: 3257

  • From the tea room.

    • From the tea room.
    • Views: 3090

  • Ash piles, wetted down, ready to be packed into drums and carted off for burial.

    • Ash piles, wetted down, ready to be packed in…
    • Views: 3082