Building Conservation -
an Introduction

From the moment it is first constructed, a building starts to deteriorate: the forces of nature and of general wear and tear erode its fabric, and regular alterations carried out over the years gradually replace original components, altering its character and often weakening its structure. Where the building in question is also of historic interest, or is simply old and beautiful, its deterioration can be tragic for everyone who loves the building, and its loss may impair the beauty of its surroundings. Conservation is the process designed to halt this decline.

As a term, 'conservation' has an extremely broad meaning which encompasses almost anything that helps to ensure the survival of something of value. Where historic buildings and artefacts are concerned, conservation starts with simple maintenance and repair work such as cleaning out the gutters of leaves in the autumn and mending leaks, but the term also includes alterations and other proactive measures which are required to ensure the survival of a component. For example, it may be necessary to add a lead flashing to protect a projecting cornice from the rain, to improve a weakness in the original design. Nevertheless, each alteration erodes the authenticity of an object and harms its character, so for any alteration to be considered to be ‘conservation’ work, it must be limited to the minimum necessary to ensure its future.

This policy of ‘minimum intervention’ lies at the heart of conservation philosophy today.

Wherever possible alterations are also designed in a way that is 'reversible' – that is to say that the building or component is not permanently affected by the alteration in any way, and later it can be returned to its original condition unharmed.

Apart from weathering and general wear and tear, perhaps the most serious problem facing historic buildings today is the number of building contractors and professional consultants (such as architects, engineers and surveyors) who are not familiar with the specialist techniques required to conserve them. Serious damage can be caused by simple things like pointing a stone or brick wall with a modern mortar, or coating the exterior surface of a solid wall with a waterproof material. Character can be destroyed by remarkably small differences in detail. The thickness of a glazing bar for example, can make a replacement window look modern.

In most countries historic buildings are protected to varying degrees, often with serious penalties for altering these buildings without consent. In the UK where a building is listed, the whole building is protected, not just the exterior, and altering one without first obtaining 'listed building consent' from the local authority is a criminal offence.

Where to find advice

The complexities of legislation and the requirements of historic materials and details call for specialist advice.

This website, buildingconservation.com, provides a comprehensive source of building conservation information, with over 1,500 pages of information and links to hundreds of other specifically relevant sites. In particular, see:

• Products and Services Directory for contact details of organisations and companies offering specialist advice, services and products in all aspects of building conservation, mostly in the UK

• Articles for advice and guidance on key issues such as the use of lime mortars and the design of timber widows

• Building Conservation Bookshop to purchase specialist books online

• Events for up to date listings of seminars, exhibitions and other building conservation events – again mainly in the UK.

If you can't find what you are looking for, please use the Comments feedback form to let us know.

Thank you.