Spencer R. Higgins, Architect Incorporated


 

 

Saskatchewan Legislature, Regina

 

Restoration of the Architectural Fabric

 

 

The Saskatchewan Legislative Building is the premier heritage building in the Province of Saskatchewan and an important landmark in the City of Regina. Designed by the leading Montreal firm of Edward and W. S. Maxwell, construction began in 1908 and was completed in 1912. The building's three-story elongated cruciform structure is surmounted by a tower and Dome, combining Beaux Arts planning with English Baroque elements.

As the architectural conservation specialist consultant to the project manager, Brownlee Beaton Kreke Consulting Engineers of Regina, our first task was to prepare a comprehensive Conservation Strategy Report (1998), assessing the condition of the architectural fabric.

Our firm developed a strategy for the conservation of the building in order of priority, and quantified and costed of all conservation work. In addition, we prepared a comprehensive set of measured base drawings of the envelope and completed a condition survey of the masonry and roofing.

Three phases of recommended work were completed: Foundation Stabilization (1999); Life Safety and Accessibility Upgrades (2001); and Mechanical and Electrical Upgrades (2003), all led by Brownlee Beaton Kreke. An investigations package for the masonry and roofing conservation work to the exterior envelope was completed in 2008.

After completion of an RFP process our firm was appointed in 2012 as prime consultant for the $20m Tower Conservation project, which was completed in September 2016. Our affiliated firm ArconTEST provided a resident clerk-of-works, sand site conservator for the two-year duration of the project.

Interior work on this phase of the project included marble and plaster repairs within the ornamental inner dome as well as provision of access staging within the tower for new mechanical services installed as part of the Tower repair project

 

Saskatchewan Legislature, Masonry Investigations


Saskatchewan Legislature, Regina
Masonry Investigations- 2008

Saskatchewan Legislature, Tower View


Saskatchewan Legislature, Regina
Tower - 2016

Tyndall Limestone Cornice Block Replacement


Tyndall Limestone Cornice Block Replacement - 2013