The ABC online is reporting that the Commonwealth Solar Observatory on Mount Stromlo has been restored after being reduced to rubble after the 2003 fires.
Originally built in 1926 and designed by the same man who built Old Parliament House, it is one of Canberra’s oldest buildings.
Thankfully it didn’t simply get bulldozed.
Loading ...
Well, that’s not entirely correct. About 80% of it was bulldozed lasttime I was up there. I think the bull dozer and ruble was a bit of a give away.
I wonder how much of the restored bulding is actually original? But that’s beside the point. It looks pretty damn good and very accurate.
They shouldn’t have restored it anyway. They should have built a much better one further outside the city lights. That site will be next to useless in a few years time when its surrounded by suburbia.
I believe they kept the facade which is standard practice in building conservation in cases like this.
And yes, Shauno, it’s been pretty much useless for years now due to the city lights.
However, as a piece of history it’s worth keeping what we can.
I think it’s good that they kept it. It may not be the most useful place for astronomy these days, but it has historic, educational and tourism value.
Also, even if the firs had not come through, I beleive Stromlo was very much doing minor work these days. A lot of the more major work was being carried out at newer facilities and at Cyding Springs. Stromlo was described by one ANU official when I went on a tour before the fires as “a conveinience.”