Conservation works

Physical conservation projects include all the processes of look­ing after the fabric of a place so as to retain its cultural sig­nif­i­cance. The work can involve ordinary building work, as well as highly specialised crafts.

Rare trade skills may be needed, such as those of the stone ma­son, blacksmith, foundryman, carpenter, joiner, roof slater, or decorative painter.

On the professional side, as a conservation architect I have the role of General Prac­ti­tion­er who can call on specialist con­sul­tants such as ar­chae­ol­o­gists, engineers, conservators and historians.

I can provide the usual architect's services (design, doc­u­men­ta­tion, administration), or I can provide an advisory service to other architects to integrate conservation works into larger projects.

Whether I am working solo, or as a member of a team, I am in­vol­ved in deciding how to repair or adapt the fabric, designing the details, documenting the work to be done, monitoring and administering contracts, and recording the work.

Projects involving conservation works

Selector’s hut, Camp Mountain
Managing evidence of land selection and settle­ment, in the context of an ecological research facility

Old Museum Building conservation work
Advice to the project architects, and preparation of a report to support the development application

Blog posts about conservation works

A good facsimile
People who look after historic places and collections are most attracted to the authentic, the real, the genuine. Facsimiles and...

Pricing timber
I have scanned a pair of timber price lists from my col­lec­tion. See the PDFs here. They were produced in...

Preservation briefs available again
I am pleased to find the the US National Parks Service website is back on the net. See US judge...