The Repair of Old Buildings Course (RC2 21)

1-5 November 2021 

Online  

Booking closes at 23:59 on Tuesday 26 October 2021

"The course is really great. The content and subjects are wide- ranging. The speakers are really good. I consider myself lucky to have attended this year, even virtually." - Course delegate, May 2021

This popular short course has been presented by the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings since the 1950s. As a result of the Coronavirus pandemic, the 2020 postponed course was successfully run online in May 2021. Following positive feedback, the course will again be held virtually. This course delivers an extensive programme of lectures, recorded site visits demonstrating building repair projects, accompanied by a series of live online Q&A sessions with speakers and site hosts. The online format provides delegates with an extended learning period until early December, enabling delegates to view content at their own pace, in addition to offering at least 30 minutes per speaker for questions. All pre-recorded content is made available on booking. Furthermore, the course is now accompanied by a printed Repair of Old Buildings Course Handbook; a series of articles written by specialists on historic building repair topics, which is provided to all delegates and is exclusive to the course.  

Presented by leading building conservation professionals, the Repair Course considers British and international approaches to the conservation of old buildings.  The SPAB philosophy of repair and maintenance - established by William Morris in 1877 - underpins the course programme of case studies, presentations and site visits. 
 
 

WHAT WILL BE COVERED? 

The Repair Course offers an extensive programme of pre-recorded lectures. The following lectures are provided for delegates to view until the beginning of December, and are accompanied by comprehensive reading lists: 

• Conservation Principles: The SPAB Approach 

• An Introduction to Historic Building Controls 

• Construction and Performance of Traditional Buildings 

• Conservation Structural Engineering: Issues, Diagnosis and Solutions 

• Dealing with Damp in Old Buildings 

• An Introduction to Lime 

• Stonework Repairs 

• Flintwork Repairs in Historic Structures 

• Plasterwork in Historic Buildings 

• An Introduction to Historic Paints and Wallpapers 

• Repair of Traditional Brickwork  

• Services in Historic Buildings 

• The Care and Repair of Historic Roofs 

• An Introduction to Timber Repairs 

• Metalwork 

• Conservation of Stained Glass 

In addition to the lectures, there will be a series of recorded site visits, including looking at the SPAB's Old House Project, receiving in depth tours of the recent works at Hampton Court Palace and Kensington Palace Orangery, and a look into the repair works at Kibworth Harcourt Post Mill. These visits are a key part of the course, allowing delegates to see how the principles discussed in the lectures are applied, or not, in the real world.  

There is plenty of time for questions and discussion as part of the five-day programme of Question and Answer Sessions. Delegates will get 30 minutes to ask each site visit host and speaker questions about their project or lecture. These sessions will be held live via Zoom throughout the week of 1-5 November 2021. It is advised that delegates view the majority of pre-recorded content before attending the Q&As.

 Recordings are held on the dedicated Repair of Old Buildings Course website so that delegates can pause, rewind and rewatch content as often as they like. After the Q&A Sessions have finished airing, they will also be available to view as a recording, in the event delegates are unable to attend the live session. 

WHO IS IT FOR?

The course welcomes students and professionals interested in deepening their understanding of old buildings, and who may be interested in developing work in this area.

Past delegates on this course have included:

Architects;

Architectural Technologists;

Builders;

Building Surveyors;

Buildings Archaeologists;

Conservation Officers and Planners;

Craftspeople;

Project Officers and Managers;

Structural Engineers and others.

Not sure if the course is suitable for you? Contact us at education@spab.org.uk, 020 7377 1644 and we will be happy to give you a steer.

ASSESSMENT

There is no formal assessment for this course; delegates will receive a Certificate of Attendance upon completion.

The Repair of Old Buildings Course is recognised by the IHBC for Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and the RIBA for Career Learning.

Booking Terms & Conditions

Accessibility: please contact the SPAB before booking to discuss any special access requirements.