Island House 元洲仔前政務司官邸

In 2019, Purcell was appointed under the Financial Assistance for Maintenance Scheme (FAS) to manage the repair and restoration of a historic Arts and Crafts building. Over time, its distinctive architectural character had been obscured by unsympathetic paint finishes and alterations, detracting from both its historic significance and visual harmony within its setting.

A conservation-led approach underpinned the project from the outset. The team undertook thorough archival research, on-site investigation, and detailed paint analysis to uncover the building’s original colour scheme and materials. These investigations revealed a carefully considered Arts and Crafts design: white limewashed roughcast render on the ground floor, black-tinted cement render panels on the upper storey (imitating traditional timber framing), and red facing brick detailing to the arches, buttresses, and piers.

Restoration focused on carefully uncovering and preserving the original materials. Areas of red brick that had been overpainted were closely examined and compared with historic photographs to determine where exposure was appropriate. Paint removal was carried out with precision using pressurised steam and softeners, avoiding damage to the brickwork.

Repairs to the lime roughcast render were made using traditional, compatible materials to maintain the building’s breathability and integrity. The facade was then fully repainted using a historically accurate colour palette derived from the research phase. Minimal intervention and material replacement ensured that as much of the original fabric as possible was retained.