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State Theatre Conservation of Butterfly Room

Overview

The State Theatre is an iconic heritage-listed theatre in the Sydney CBD, built between 1926 and 1929. In the 1970s it was the scene of one of the great conservation battles for historic Sydney. Added to the NSW State Heritage Register in 1999, it is still hosting film screenings, live theatre and musical performances.

The drama of the Gothic street frontage is married with Gothic, Baroque and French Empire influences for the interiors.  Individual historical themes and architectural imagery features in each of the spacious retiring rooms and lobbies, extending even to the public toilets!

ICS was originally engaged by the State Theatre in 1999 to do paint scrapes, after the extensive building conservation work in the 1980s.  In the early 200s ICS was commissioned to conserve painted wall panels, and in 2015 ICS was again commissioned to transform the Futurist Room to its former glory.

The Butterfly Room is one of a series of highly decorated themed rooms, all of which retain elements of their original format and decoration.  In 2017 ICS was engaged to uncover the original Butterfly Room decorations and return the whole room to its original intended appearance.

Year

2017

Client

State Theatre

Services

  • Public art
  • Paintings conservation

Awards

Condition

The original paintings were hidden underneath layers of house paint and wallpaper, so the condition was unknown. Investigations by ICS conservators suggested that removal of the overpaint would be possible and that the original paintings underneath were largely in-tact in and good condition.

Treatment

  • Wallpaper removal using a steam cleaner and mechanical means
  • Removal of overpaint layers to expose original scheme
  • Stabilisation of surface as required
  • Varnish to protect and enhance the original colours
  • Toning and painting of any losses and damages with conservation grade paints
  • Application of a protective surface coating

Award Winning

This project, undertaken by ICS in collaboration with Urbis, was Winner of the 2020 Conservation Interiors & Objects at the National Trust Awards.

Before treatment

After treatment

Video gallery

Photo gallery

Testimonial

Media & awards

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