Case Study:
USYD Molecular BioScience Building
Concrete Remediation & Façade Repainting
Stage 1. Off-form concrete remediation
The Molecular BioScience Building (G08) at the University of Sydney — a significant brutalist structure at 2 Butlin Avenue, Darlington, comprising off-form concrete and pebblecrete precast façades — required comprehensive two-stage concrete remediation and façade repainting.
Stage 1 addressed the off-form concrete elevations, where an investigation by Jabin Group Pty Ltd identified 630 litres of spalling concrete, widespread pinhole and honeycomb defects across 1,520m² of surface, and a fully degraded façade coating system requiring replacement.
Stage 2. Pebblecrete precast & EWP works
Stage 2 addressed the pebblecrete precast façade panels, with drone inspections identifying spalling across 3,804m² of surface area, delivered via scaffold (37.5%) and EWP access (62.5%) to complete the full building envelope.
Concrete Spalling — Multiple Locations
Pinhole & Honeycomb Defects
Degraded Façade Coating System
Pebblecrete Precast Deterioration — 3,804m²
Dual-Stage, Dual-Access Programme
Works were delivered within a live and occupied campus environment, with careful sequencing to minimise disruption to university operations throughout both stages.
The Solution
Wardell Remedial delivered the full two-stage programme, sequencing works to allow phased delivery within the live campus environment. Access was managed via a combination of scaffold and EWP to cover the full façade area efficiently, with all works carried out in accordance with Jabin Group engineering documentation.
Key Metrics
PROJECT VALUE
$1 Million
PROGRAMME
25 Weeks
YEAR
2026
Why Wardell Remedial
Concrete remediation and façade repainting at this scale—across an active university campus, over two staged programmes, utilising both scaffold and EWP access—demands a remedial contractor with the technical depth, trades management capability and programme discipline to deliver without disruption. Wardell Remedial brings specialist spalling trades, experienced renderers and accredited painters together under a single delivery team.