Introduction to Surveying Traditionally Constructed Buildings

Event details

Join us at the National Trust's Quarry Bank Mill for a practical introduction to surveying traditionally constructed buildings.

Under the expert tuition of two experienced historic building surveyors, Dec Cahill and 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 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.

Joint course price

This course is being held back-to-back with Introduction to Building Pathology: a practical introduction to the problems seen in traditionally constructed buildings and how to sensitively deal with them.

You can book both courses and gain a substantial discount: £320 full price (save £30) £195 concession (save £45)

Who is this course for?

This course is for building surveyors, engineers, planners and architects. Particularly early career professionals or those who would like to work more with traditionally constructed buildings.  

Programme

9.30am - Registration (tea and coffee)

Morning session

• Quarry Bank Mill
• The SPAB Approach
• Types of surveys
• Planning a survey

1pm - Lunch (provided)

Afternoon session

• NT Survey process (Sarah Dennet)
• Practical session - condition survey of Quarry Bank Mill
• Q&A and discussion (tea and coffee)
• Tour of Quarry Bank Mill

5pm - End of course

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, National Trust Senior Building Surveyor

Accreditation

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

Accessibility

• Lift access to the first floor of the mill, where all lectures will be held in the Grant Room.

• Accessible toilets also available on the first floor of the mill.

• The mill is fully accessible to wheelchair users but can't accommodate mobility scooters.

• The Apprentice House, where the practical elements of the course will take place, is only accessible to wheelchair users on the ground floor.  A digital tour is available. 

• The Mill Manager's House is accessible to wheelchair users on the ground floor only.

• There are designated parking spaces for blue badge holders.  (If you do not have a blue badge but would like to be able to park closer to the entrance, please contact us in advance to arrange a permit.)

• For more detailed information about accessibility at Quarry Bank Mill, please visit: Access information for Quarry Bank | National Trust
   

All bookings are subject to our Terms and Conditions.