Conservational repair “The primary purpose of conservational repair is to control the process of decay without damaging the character of buildings or monuments, altering the features which give them historic or architectural importance and not disturbing or destroying historic fabric.” Conservation planning and strategies Minimum loss of fabric Minimum intervention (addition) Minimum loss of authenticity (genuineness/ truthfulness) Reversibility Absence of deceit (cheating/ falseness)/ honesty of intervention

Conservational process carryout an investigation of any cultural asset, its fabric, its defects, their causes and sources able to formulate a strategy for appropriate intervention Any historical asset is subject to decay through ageing, interaction of materials and weather and, what has happened to it contextually and through use.

Investigation of the archaeologist Traditionally the role of the archaeologist has been associated as a sub surface discipline based on stripping down layers to gain understanding. Advances in technology has allowed the process of archaeological analysis to be undertaken without loss of overlying layers of development, use of photomodelling software and laser measuring techniques has facilitated three dimensional deconstruction without physical damage to historic fabric. Such technology is extremely useful in trauma situations such as fire damage.

What was the original brief for the asset and any subsequent works basic questions to ask yourself to help in developing your understanding of an asset: What is the cultural significance of the asset, both historical and aesthetic What was the social, cultural, technological, economic and political context in which the asset was originally conceived constructed and subsequently changed and how has its importance changed/developed as a result of changes in use or appearance What is the date of the asset, originally and by subsequent periods of development (and what was the date/effect of subsequent periods of development) Who was the patron or original client and subsequent clients/patrons and their involvement What was the original brief for the asset and any subsequent works Who was the architect or designer and who built it

How was it constructed/altered basic questions to ask yourself to help in developing your understanding of an asset: How was it constructed/altered What was its original and subsequent function(s) Which parts are original and which alterations What are the materials and methods of construction and what is their condition What is the form and style and what was its meaning What was the original context and how has the asset’s landscape or setting changed/developed What was the public response to the building in its original form and as a result of subsequent changes: How has that assessment/understanding changed What is happening to the building in terms of deterioration and how might this be affecting significance What is the structural condition and is it stable

Category of Building Defects – Structural/ Non structural defects 1. Structural defect - any defect in a structural element of a building attributable to defective structural design, defective or faulty workmanship or defective material Building structure includes earth retaining walls, columns, beams and flat slabs. Structural defect can be categorized as cracks in foundations (Substructure), cracks in floor or slabs (superstructure), and cracks in walls (superstructure). These defects can be caused (immediate cause) by improper soil analysis, inappropriate site selection, and the use of defective materials.

Category of Building Defects Structural defect – Structural defects in a building causes over time due to deterioration, wear and tear, overloading, and poor maintenance. They must be repaired to maintain the building’s structure and to prevent any further failures. Regular inspection is the key to protecting the ‘health’ of a building’s structure.

3. Common Building Defects In general, there have several building defects which usually occur to building parts such as roofs, walls, floors, ceiling, toilets, doors and windows. consists of wall crack, peeling paint, dampness, timber decay, fungi and small plant attack, sagging or deformation, erosion of mortar joint, defective plaster rendering, insect or termite attack, roof defect, and also unstable foundation, and services.

b) Non-structural defect as a result of defective residential building work. non-structural defect includes defect in brick work, dampness in old structures, and defects in plaster works.

3. Common Building Defects consists of wall crack,

3. Common Building Defects peeling paint,

3. Common Building Defects dampness,

3. Common Building Defects timber decay,

3. Common Building Defects fungi and small plant attack,

3. Common Building Defects Sagging (bending) or deformation (changing shape/form)

3. Common Building Defects erosion of mortar joint,

3. Common Building Defects defective plaster rendering,

3. Common Building Defects insect or termite attack,

3. Common Building Defects roof defect,

3. Common Building Defects services.

Causes and agencies of decay Weathering (change in daily temperature, change in seasonal temperatures, rainfall) Adverse interaction with other adjacent materials Excess loading Inappropriate design and detailing Limitations of materials use Limitations of life expectancy Effects of damp (corrosion, dissolution, decay, mould growth) Effects of fungal and insect damage (biological change) Differential movement Mechanical damage Natural deterioration (see Second Law of Thermodynamics: all processes tend towards decay and disintegration) Natural degradation (sunlight on organic materials for example) Simple failure Natural faults in materials

Causes and agencies of decay External (including climatic) – daily/seasonal temperatures, precipitation, ground water Biological and botanical – impact of flora and fauna on built environment Impact of natural disasters – fire, floods, lightning, rising sea level, landslips, storm winds, earthquakes Natural deterioration and degradation – laws of thermodynamics, solar (UV) radiation, acid rain Action of moisture – effects of damp (corrosion, dissolution, decay, mould growth), effects of fungal and insect damage (biological change) Material characteristics – natural faults, adverse interaction, inappropriate design and detailing, physical limitations (e.g. lifespan) Chemical deterioration (e.g. acid rain) Mechanical damage – accident, neglect, air pollution, vandalism, theft, graffiti, vibration damage Structural issues – loss of integrity, excess loading, differential movement, subsidence Structural repairs – strengthening, reinforcement, reconstruction

Intervention Determining the appropriate degree of intervention, from cosmetic repairs to structural reinforcement and reconstruction Use of modern techniques and materials Adaptive reuse of historic sites and fabric, including alteration and extension Importance of timing, context and reversibility of interventions Maintenance Value of regular building maintenance based on the availability of expertise, skills, materials and funding Importance of cyclical regimes (e.g. monthly, annually, five-yearly) as part of overall maintenance strategies specific to site and local conditions