The Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings

The SPAB has partnered with Historic Royal Palaces to run a NEW masterclass course in brickwork.

26 April 2012

Time: 09.45 - 16.00
Venue: Hampton Court Palace, East Molesey, Surrey, KT8 9AU
Fee: £135

This course will take place in the majestic setting of Hampton Court Palace – a building of national significance within conservation.
Emma Simpson, brickwork specialist with 20 years experience, will lead the courses and share in her knowledge of this rich traditional craft through theory and practical demonstration.


The aim of this workshop is to understand how ‘cut and rubbed’ chimneys are built and repaired using the example of the conservation project at Hampton Court;
Cardinal Wolsey’s chimney stack. You will gain experience of practical techniques by direct hands-on work.

Examples of topics covered include:
• dismantling and re-building techniques;
• cutting and rubbing;
• production of mouldings; and
• traditional techniques.


Places on this course are strictly limited – booking early is advised to avoid disappointment.

This masterclass is likely to meet CPD requirements for those professionally involved in historic buildings; including architects, surveyors, engineers, planners, builders, contractors and craftspeople.


Please note: delegates will need to be prepared with steel toe-capped footwear and suitable clothing. Other PPE will be provided on the day.

Book a place online, or download a booking form and return with payment to the SPAB.
If booking online: please let us know the names and job titles of all delegates (if different from the person making the booking) and detail any special dietary or access requirements.

14 - 19 May 2012

Venue: SPAB, 37 Spital Square, London, E1 6DY
Fee: £710

Includes transport, meals, accommodation and insurance during the two day tour.
Please note: the course fee does not include accommodation in London.


The Society’s Repair Course has been run since 1950, and welcomes architects, surveyors, planners, buildings archaeologists, structural engineers, conservation officers, builders, craftspeople and other building conservation professionals.

The course illustrates by lectures and practical examples the manner in which the conservative repair of old buildings can be achieved. The methods demonstrated include those evolved and proved by the Society for almost 130 years.  The lecturers are all practicing architects or other experts with long experience in this field of work.

Central to the course are the visits to buildings under repair in London, and to a different region of the country as part of a two day tour (Wednesday and Thursday). 

Please note: there may be scaffolding to climb on some of these sites.  Hard hats will be provided, but delegates will need to be prepared with steel toe-capped footwear and suitable clothing.


Examples of topics covered on this course include:

• principles of repair and conservation;
• damp;
• lime – the material and its use in repair;
• timber frame construction & repair;
• conservation and repair of stone and brickwork;
• energy efficiency;
• costing historic building work.


Recognised by the IHBC for CPD.


Book a place online, or download a booking form and return with payment to the SPAB.
If booking online: please let us know the names and job titles of all delegates (if different from the person making the booking) and detail any special dietary or access requirements.



“Very enjoyable and hugely beneficial course.”  2011 delegate

“The lectures were fantastic and gave a very good general overview of conservation… the site visits were great as they linked the lectures to real life situations.”  2011 delegate

Listen to our Repair Course podcast for more feedback from past delegates.

21 February 2012

Time: 13.00 - 17.00
Venue: SPAB, 37 Spital Square, London, E1 6DY
Fee: £50

The best way to protect a building is to keep it occupied, even if the use is on a temporary or partial basis.  However, it is inevitable that some historic buildings will struggle to find a use; especially in areas where the property market is weak and opportunities for sale or re-use are limited.  This technical afternoon highlights and discusses in detail the points made in English Heritage’s latest guidance document, Vacant Historic Buildings: An owner’s guide to temporary use, maintenance and mothballing.

This technical afternoon will be invaluable to any building professional, property owner or contractor involved in looking after redundant old buildings.

English Heritage has produced this guidance to help owners to reduce the risks facing empty buildings, by undertaking a range of precautionary measures and adopting an active management approach.  It explains how to decommission buildings that are about to be vacated, as well as how to look after buildings that have already been vacant for some time.  By adopting this approach, owners can prevent unnecessary damage, dereliction and loss of significance.  They will also benefit by maintaining the market value of their assets and increasing the chances of bring them back into permanent use.  The guidance document is available to download.


Recognised by the IHBC for CPD. 


Book a place online, or download a booking form and return with payment to the SPAB.
If booking online: please let us know the names and job titles of all delegates (if different from the person making the booking) and detail any special dietary or access requirements.