The facility was completed in 2011 and houses the Unipol gym, and the University of Otago’s language centre and foundation year.
But in 2013, cracks began to appear in sections of the Oamaru stone front facade at the northern end of the building, and exterior cracks were found in the precast concrete beams in the southwest corner of the building.
The faults did not make the building unsafe, but hoardings were erected as a precaution.
Other faults were found, including noise leaking from the gym to office spaces above.
Scaffolding has been erected around the building, for work aimed at future-proofing it, making maintenance easier and helping to stop birds affecting the roof.
University of Otago property services division director Dean Macaulay said the project included replacing tiles on the building’s northern facade; extending the northern roof’s low parapet and adding handrails along both the new and existing parapet; and adding a gantry (platform) to the roof above the atrium in the language centre and foundation year facility.
"The main work involves removing the Oamaru stone northern facade and replacing it with terracotta tiles that look similar, but are not as heavy."
He said a gantry with handrails and wheels would be added to the roof above the atrium, so staff could roll the gantry along to clear any mess left by birds. It could then be rolled out of sight.
A bird sounder was being added to the roof to help scare away birds.
"Work is being done on site between 7am and 5pm on weekdays, but could be done on weekends if needed to complete the project on time."
Mr Macaulay said the building was constructed by Naylor Love, and the university was working with the construction company on the project.
However, he could not say how much the project would cost because it was "commercially sensitive".
It was hoped the project would be completed late this year.
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