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Condition
Treatment
While it was known from prior investigations that honour boards were hidden below overpainting, the exact locations and total number were unclear.
ICS conservators conducted detailed investigations in a range of areas with the goal of identifying different layers of paint and identifying the location of the honour boards so that conservation treatments could be carried out.
Targeted paint removal was conducted to carefully soften and remove the top layers of overpaint. Poultices were applied, and little by little the original decorative scheme and the partially gilded honour boards were revealed.
Existing plaster fills were carefully reduced and areas of loss were filled and consolidated. Tinted fills were then applied to match the surrounding colour background colour, improving the overall appearance and consistency of the surfaces while remaining discernible under close inspection in line with conservation ethics.
Treatment
Outcome
This major refurbishment by Multiplex, led by architect and heritage consultant Lovell Chen, focused on conservation works and refurbishment for the main public spaces of the heritage-listed Victorian Trades Hall. Collaboration was central to its success, bringing together a multidisciplinary team of conservators, architects, and builders.
The results have been transformative: the once-muted walls, painted in a uniform cream colour, now reveal their original layered decorative scheme, creating visual and historical continuity throughout the entrance hall. The investigation into the original paint scheme to determine stencil design and colours produced an end palette featuring over 30 paint colours and two different stencils. The conservation work has safeguarded the honour boards and commemorative panels for future generations, allowing their inscriptions and gilded details to be legible once more, enhancing our understanding of Trades Hall's history, and adding valuable context to the building's ongoing significance.
Importantly, the project has generated continued public interest in Trades Hall, with the conservation outcomes celebrated by stakeholders and contributing to the ongoing revitalisation of this landmark building.
ICS was awarded the 2025 AICCM Outstanding Conservation Project of the year for its contribution to this significant project.
Testimonials
‘As the project manager for the restoration on behalf of Victorian Trades Hall and Literary Institute, I can testify to the great satisfaction felt by all at the building in the work performed by ICS. The conservation of the murals was carried out with a high degree of professionalism and integrity, employing techniques that produced a higher quality finish than we expected.‘
Dr Colin Long, Victorian Trades Hall and Literary Institute
‘ICS provided clear professional advice during the delivery of the works at Trades Hall and completed the work in a timely manner to achieve the tight timelines required under the head contract. Their work has revealed and restored early painted honour boards to the total satisfaction of Heritage Victoria, the Victorian Trades Hall Council, and Lovell Chen.’
Stuart Hanafin, Lovell Chen
Further information
In the news
- Inner City News - innercitynews.com.au/restoration-of-trades-hall-continues-as-part-of-10-million-heritage-project
- Australian Development Review - australiandevelopmentreview.com.au/trades-hall-restoration-melbourne
- Inside Construction - insideconstruction.com.au/construction-projects/multiplex-continues-restoration-of-historic-victorian-trades-hall
YouTube
- Eden Christian, ICS Senior Conservator & Team Leader, Fine Arts, shows the uncovered murals - youtube.com/watch?v=OIswY4GUkig
- Eden Christian, ICS Senior Conservator & Team Leader, Fine Arts, discusses mural conservation - youtube.com/watch?v=9Djs1dsDdzI
Case Study
For a closer look at the Trades Hall Treatment - Case Study
Before treatment
After treatment
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