Inside the painstaking restoration of Bangunan Sultan Abdul Samad

In a meticulous restoration effort, the team brought the 129-year-old Bangunan Sultan Abdul Samad (BSAS) building back to life, requiring them to think like its original builders and understand the design, materials, and construction methods used over a century ago. The process encompassed both construction and detective work, revealing hidden features like staircases buried beneath the building.

Moisture is a significant challenge for old buildings, particularly those built before modern damp-proofing methods. BSAS had many timber components, such as roof rafters and internal structure, which required treatment or replacement to ensure the building's longevity. A dilapidation study and condition assessment were conducted by a team of conservators, architects, and engineers before any intervention.

Preserving the building's historic character while adapting it for modern use proved to be a major challenge. The clock tower's copper dome and two domes at the arcade towers presented particularly complex issues. The team had to restore the domes to their 1897 design, using historical photographs and documents. The original structure used timber, but due to deterioration, the team redesigned the internal structure using aluminium while retaining the copper exterior.

They also incorporated a waterproofing membrane and an internal aluminum liner beneath the external copper, effectively creating a "dome within a dome."

The restoration team had to find innovative ways to work on the mini dome on the clock tower without damaging the historic structure beneath it. They installed a specially engineered tubular cantilever scaffold, supported by I-beams inserted into the building, to stand without being tied or screwed into the heritage walls. Protection was also installed to shield the dome from prolonged exposure to rain and sunlight during the restoration process.