Testimonials

I would like to acknowledge the City’s gratitude for Jasper Swann’s assistance with the conservation projects recently completed for the Sydney Town Hall facades.
The Clocktower project particularly contained some unique stonemasonry issues including the replacement of all the capitals under the dome, seismic bracing of the dome, removal of asbestos in joints and replacement of key façade stones.
Given the risks and complex nature of this project we engaged consultants direct, being Stonemasonry (Jasper Swann Pty Ltd) a Heritage Architect and a Structural Engineer.
Jasper Swann made a great contribution to the team, given his extensive academic, contracting and consulting background in heritage stonemasonry.
We recommend the services of Jasper Swann Pty Ltd. His knowledge is highly valued.
Geoff Brew, City of Sydney, 456 Kent St Sydney.

City Plan Heritage has sought the services of Jasper Swann in a number of projects since 2003. His expertise in stonemasonry and knowledge of stone façade conservation were invaluable, in particular, for the resolution of chronic rising damp & salt issues at the Moore Park Toll House. He also provided advice for the identification of required conservation/repair works for the facades of the former Commercial Banking Company of Sydney Limited building at 661 George Street and the Carla Zampatti Building at 435A-441 Kent Street. I always recommend him to my clients knowing that he will provide his services in a professional and timely manner.
City Plan Heritage
Level 1, 364 Kent St Sydney, 2000
cityplan.com.au

Dear Jasper
I wanted to record on behalf of UNDA our deep gratitude for your services with St Benedict’s restoration. You not only gave excellent professional service, but turned out again and again to assist with the fundraising, PR, communications and media. Thank you for being such a good sport and a friend to UNDA and St Benedict’s.
Prof.Hayden Ramsay
Vice-Chancellor, University of Notre Dame Australia

The challenge of repairing and conserving a tenanted heritage building created many concerns for us. We needed to manage the technicalities of the work, time & cost whilst keeping tenants able to run their businesses. It was essential to engage an expert to work on “our side” from tender, through execution, handover and warranty. Jasper Swann had previously conducted surveys and provided restoration scope advice for the owners. The decision to engage Jasper to document the requirements and run the tender process was an easy one, and his ability to educate us as the building owners on the process was great. The owners were committed to maintaining the fabric of the building having owned it for many generations, and Jasper’s experience and commitment to the right heritage result was a perfect fit. Through the tender process it became obvious that Jasper was the right fit to manage the project on behalf of the owners. Projects such as this are never completely predictable, and Jasper was able to manage both the contractors and communication with the owners across scope, risk, WH&S and variations, all whilst minimising disruption to tenants. All contractor claims were reviewed and managed by Jasper before being presented to the owners for payment. The balance between agreed scope and variations was managed in real time, which avoided unnecessary debates between the owners and the contractors. The entire project was completed within an acceptable timeframe and budget, and whilst I hope Jasper will be retired before any future work at Wyoming is required, I have no hesitation in recommending him to anyone undertaking any aspects of such a heritage conservation project.
Andrew Spencer
Chief Operating Officer
Albert Investments Pty Limited

Major General J P Stevens, AO, (Retd)
"...the stone structures within our war cemeteries [in Australia and Papua New Guinea] have high heritage value and it is therefore important that these be maintained to a high standard."
"Your company provides a very high quality service... "
Department of Veterans' Affairs
Director, Office of Australian War Graves
Australian Government
Department of Veterans' Affairs

Dear Jasper,
This is to say "thank you" for your invaluable work in connection with the Gable project - and indeed in various capacities ever since we started the job of long-term-conservation about ten years ago. You have not only done whatever your particular task required, you have kept us educated and informed and have generously gone beyond mere requirements.
Most of us are "babes in the wood'' when it comes to stonemasonry, or even large-scale construction generally, and without your specialist knowledge and constant willingness to help, we would not be seeing the satisfactory out come we now have.
Here's to scaling more heights in the future!
Yours sincerely,
Malcolm Beveridge
Chairman, Hunter Baillie Memorial Church Committee of Management

Sean Johnson - Clive Lucas, Stapleton & Partners
"I greatly value Jasper Swann’s advice on the difficult question of stone repair versus replacement. Jasper has helped me on some important work at the University of Sydney and the Australian Museum. He combines a wealth of practical, hands-on experience with a good understanding of conservation philosophy."
"Your company provides a very high quality service... "
CLIVE LUCAS STAPLETON & PARTNERS
155 Brougham Street,
Kings Cross,
Sydney, NSW
Australia

Jasper Swann was engaged by Design 5 – Architects to provide advice on the masonry conservation works at St James’ Church, King Street, Sydney. Consecrated in 1824, it is a highly significant building and the oldest church within the city of Sydney. In 2007 he provided advice in the scheduling of stonework and masonry repairs for the Church as well as budget estimates for the proposed works. This information was used to establish a prioritised scope of works and a detailed cost plan for the project and was invaluable in obtaining funding and in planning and implementing the works. His knowledge of traditional materials and construction techniques and comprehensive understanding of conservation principles and their practical application is highly valued.
Letizia Coppo-Jones
Design 5 Architects
5 Queen St
Chippendale
NSW 2008
Ph (02) 9319 1855

I would like to acknowledge the professional approach and concise works of Jasper Swann Pty Ltd.
The above building is a heritage building celebrating its 100th year in 2010. The intricate and detailed sandstone facade was in need of an investigative report to consider the condition of the stonework as it was showing signs of possible flaking sandstone.
We engaged the services of Jasper Swann to complete the necessary works to ensure loose and friable sandstone was not a safety issue and to consider preventative maintenance to the building. Jasper Swann completed the inspection and conducted the necessary repairs with a minimum of fuss and without incident. The scope of works was followed to the letter, including all traffic control to the area, no restriction to business operations and nil effect to the general public. A full report of the condition of the facades was provided and some follow-up work suggested.
I found Jasper Swann to be an experienced and honest professional. I would highly recommend the services of Jasper Swann Pty Ltd and have no hesitation in being contacted to provide further information.
Albert Investments Pty Ltd
175 Macquarie St, Sydney
- Albert Group of Companies Building Services Manager
Level 7, 175 Macquarie St
albertgroup.com.au