 The Department of Construction was developing schemes for the building as early as 1948. The most urgent need was for a new roof. Two alternatives emerged: an accurate reconstruction of the mansard roof, or a flat pitched roof. Timber was in short supply, so a pitched roof requiring 214 square metres (2,300 sq ft) of timber was chosen, instead of a mansard roof requiring 930 square metres (10,000 sq ft). Issues of landmark preservation played featured little in the decision and starting from 1948 the roof was partially replaced with a pitched roof.
