Joint courses: Surveying Traditionally Constructed Buildings and Building Pathology

Join us at the National Trust's Quarry Bank Mill for a practical and interactive introduction to the essentials of surveying traditionally constructed buildings. Under the expert tuition of two experienced historic building surveyors, Dec Cahill & Simon Hollis, you will learn how to understand and differentiate between pre- and post-1918 construction methods, materials and structures.They will introduce the SPAB’s Approach to building conservation, repair and maintenance, before guiding you through the process of preparing and carrying out a condition survey tailored towards these traditional buildings. You will learn about heritage-specific surveying templates and reports, non-destructive surveying techniques, and how to identify retrofit opportunities. The second part of the day will be spent putting your learning into practice.  In smaller groups, and under the guidance of your tutors, you will carry out a condition survey of a Quarry Bank Mill building. We will be joined by the National Trust’s Head of Surveying, Alan Gardner, and Senior Building Surveyor, Sarah Dennett, who will share their experiences of managing surveys and inspections of National Trust buildings. This will give you the opportunity to discuss the unique challenges of surveying and working with historic buildings at a real site, and with a range of professionals who work with old buildings all the time.   

This course is held over two days, with the option to attend one or both days. The first day will cover surveys to traditionally constructed buildings, including the use of heritage-specific surveying standards and reports and non-destructive surveying techniques. The second day will then focus on building pathology in the context of traditionally constructed buildings.

Who is this course for?

This course is for building surveyors, particularly early career professionals or those who would like to work more with traditionally constructed buildings.  

You will learn

• What can be expected when undertaking surveys of pre-1918 buildings of solid wall construction.
• How surveys to traditionally constructed buildings differ from modern buildings.
• How to approach surveys to traditionally constructed buildings, including the use of heritage-specific surveying standards and reports and non-destructive surveying techniques.
• How to identify retrofit opportunities.
• Gain practical experience undertaking a condition survey of a traditional building.
• Have the opportunity to ask questions on traditional building materials and techniques.    
• Get an introduction to the SPAB Approach to building conservation, repair and maintenance.

Programme Day One: Practical Introduction to Surveying Traditionally Constructed Buildings 

Programme Day Two: Introduction to Building Pathology in the Context of Traditionally Constructed Buildings 

You will need

• Please wear overalls or working clothes and sturdy (flat, enclosed) footwear, ideally steel toe-capped boots. All other PPE is provided.  
• Part of the day will be spent outside, so we recommend you wear warm layers and bring waterproofs in case of rain. 

Practical information

• The nearest train station is Styal, which is a 12-minute walk from Quarry Bank Mill
• A light lunch will be provided. Please indicate any dietary requirements in the booking form.

Tutors

Declan Cahill

Declan is a historic building surveyor and rope access surveyor based in Sheffield, with over nine years of experience working in building conservation. Declan has worked across a variety of historic buildings, from vernacular residential, ecclesiastical and agricultural buildings to large-scale industrial, commercial and ruinous structures. He is a 2016 SPAB Scholar and a member of IHBC and CIOB. 

Simon Hollis

Simon has been working in the built environment for 18 years and set up Simon Hollis Chartered Surveyors in 2020 to specialise in traditionally constructed buildings, building pathology and moisture-related defects. Simon lectures part-time on the Building Surveying and related courses at Sheffield Hallam University.

Guest Speakers

Alan Gardner, National Trust Head of Surveying

Sarah Dennett, Senior Building Surveyor, The National Trust

Accreditation

This course is recognised by the IHBC for Continuing Professional Development (CPD).  

Accessibility

• Get update from Simon/Dec/QBM

Anything we can do to make this event more accessible for you? Please email education@spab.org.uk.

All bookings are subject to our Terms and Conditions.

Photo credit: Tile image © TBA; Header image © TBA