Conservation and restoration

Question 1

Talk me through your understanding of definitions used in conservation (such as listed building, scheduled ancient monument and conservation areas).

Question 2

What are the key principles of building/structure conservation?

Question 3

What age/styles/materials of building have you worked with?

Answer 3

I have works with a wide range of buildings the Portsmouth and Gosport housing stock are predominantly Victorian and Edwardian with areas of Georgian building which where constructed by Thomas Eli’s Owen. I have also inspected timber framed and cob buildings dating back to circa 17c

Question 4

Talk me through your understanding of the diversity of materials and techniques used in the construction of historic structures.

Question 5

How do you differentiate between conservation and restoration (as well as preservation and refurbishment)?

Question 6

What is the lime cycle?

Question 7

Talk me through your understanding of breathable building technology.

Question 8

What factors lead to redundancy of a building? As

Question 9

What legislation relates to conservation?

Answer 9

the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 which provides specific protection for buildings and areas of special architectural or historic interest

Owners of listed buildings are under no obligation to maintain their property in a good state of repair, though of course it is in their best interest to do so. Local authorities can, however, take action to secure repair when it becomes evident that a building is being allowed to deteriorate.

Urgent Works Notices, Repair Notices and Section 215 Notices can be effective in halting the decay of an historic building. Stopping the Rot by Historic England is a very useful guidance note which explains these statutory powers in greater detail, and a broader overview can be found in our

Question 10

Tell me about the Planning (LB&CA) Act 1990 and HE (Wales) Act 2016.

Question 11

What vernacular styles are you familiar with and how do they differ?

Answer 11

Lime tree cottage
Hazel lodge
White farm

Question 12

What is a Wealden / hall / tower / long house?

Question 13

What is polite architecture?

Question 14

Talk me through traditional methods used in a project you have worked on.

Question 15

How has this incorporated breathable and vapour permeable technologies?

Question 16

How have you found viable and sustainable uses for redundant buildings?

Question 17

Where would you recommend the use of lime putty?

Question 18

Explain your understanding of BS 7913: Guide to the conservation of historic buildings.

Question 19

Tell me about your experience of undertaking architectural assessments /
statements of significance.

Question 20

How have you prepared a report identifying materials, periods of
construction (including historic alterations), typical defects/problems?

Question 21

Tell me about your experience of preparing and submitting applications,
e.g. listed building consent / schedules of work for standard repairs using traditional materials

Question 22

How have you assessed the impact of modern technology and repair methods on traditional buildings, structures, elements and materials?

Question 23

How have you assessed and reported on factors that are resulting or could result in redundancy?

Question 24

How have you advised on situations where incompatibility of materials is found to be detrimental to the future of the structure or element?

Question 25

Orchard Road – Window repairs I identified that the timber single glazed sash windows were in a poor condition and the windows on the northern elevation were suffering from wet rot to the lower cills and jambs. The property was in a conservation area, so I liaised with the conservation officer and produced a schedule of works for the repairs which included routing out the cills and jambs, scarfing in new timbers, redecoration and re balancing the sliding sashes. Why were the window suffering from wet rot? How did you go about advising on the extent of the repairs? Can you talk me through a scarfing joint?

Question 26

What was the specification for redecoration?

Question 27

Quarry House – Accompanied Level 3 Home survey I observed that the ceilings were of lath and plaster construction, surfaced with lining paper with extensive cracking and hollowness. I advised that the lath and plaster had become detached, localised repairs would not be suitable and the ceilings required replacement. I also recommended that cavity wall insulation should be avoided due to the coastal location and porous brickwork as it could lead to moisture bridging the cavity and cause dampness internally. can you talk me through the construction of Latham plaster? What was the risk of the Lath and plaster becoming detached? Why was cavity wall insulation to be avoided? What impact could this have had on a historic building?