Haulbowline Naval Base – Block 9

MMD Construction has completed the conservation and refurbishment of Block 9 at Haulbowline Naval Base for the Department of Defence. The protected 1,800m² building, originally a Victualling Store, has been transformed into modern office space for Naval Service personnel while retaining its historic character.

The works included structural repairs, new internal access stairs, mechanical and electrical installations, fire safety upgrades, internal finishes and connections to the existing base infrastructure.

Reusing the building’s historic materials was central to the project. Where possible, original fabric was retained and repaired. When some of the historic pitch-pine roof trusses required structural repair, sound timber joists removed from the building were salvaged and taken to our in-house Workshop. Our carpenters used that timber to make bespoke inserts for the trusses, which were then returned to site and incorporated into the existing roof structure. This approach gave the timber a new use within the building and helped preserve its character.

All works were carried out within a fully operational naval base, requiring careful coordination of construction activities, safety and security. The completed Block 9 brings a protected building back into use as part of Haulbowline’s working naval facilities.