Practical Buildings Conservations Skills - ARC00063M

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Module summary

This module will provide an introduction to the practical conservation of traditional, vernacular buildings. Students will understand the common problems and issues faced by historic vernacular buildings by reflecting on past repair approaches and their consequences (both good and bad). Students will develop awareness of current best practices in planning conservation for traditional and sustainable buildings and associated materials. 

Students say they enjoy learning about traditional building methods, and that the practice and teamwork improves their knowledge of the nature of traditional construction and use of materials. 

Module will run

Occurrence	Teaching period
A	Autumn Term 2022-23

Module aims

• To provide an understanding of the principles and practice of historic buildings conservation

• To enable students to develop practical and team-working skills

• To enable students to work with buildings conservation practitioners

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module students should:

• Be familiar with the principles and processes of historic buildings conservation, as applied in the context of traditional and sustainable buildings skills 

• Understand the problems faced by historic vernacular buildings

• Be aware of a range of conservation solutions relating to the use of traditional and sustainable building materials

 Students will also have:

• Applied historic buildings analysis and problem-solving skills to a vernacular building

• Practised a range of traditional conservation skills including where relevant, the repair of roofs (pantile and mortar repairs), earth and lime plastering / pointing and masonry repairs in the conservation of an historic building

• Worked effectively as a team

• Developed time management, risk assessment, and project management skills

• Understood how buildings conservation skills relate to other areas of academic study (Historic Buildings analysis, Interpreting historic buildings, Conservation philosophy, Field Archaeology)

Module content

This module will provide an introduction to the practical conservation of traditional, vernacular buildings. Students will understand the common problems and issues faced by historic vernacular buildings reflecting on past approaches and their consequences (both good and bad). Students will develop awareness of current best practices in planning conservation for traditional and sustainable buildings and associated materials. 

Alongside practical work students will be introduced to the relevant literature and through group work gain an understanding of the issues associated with practical conservation work. 

Indicative assessment

Task	% of module mark
Essay/coursework	100

Special assessment rules

Pass/fail

Indicative reassessment

Task	% of module mark
Essay/coursework	100

Module feedback

Feedback will be available within 4 weeks

Indicative reading

Historic Scotland’s traditional building materials guidance https://www.engineshed.scot/building-advice/building-materials/ 

English Heritage Practical Building Conservation Series (note this is a ten-volume series and you will be guided to the relevant volumes).

Copsey, N. 2019. Hot Mixed Lime and Traditional Mortars: A Practical Guide to Their Use in Conservation and Repair. Crowood.