Bricks & Mortar: teatime Zoom talk

Event details

Wednesday 26 January, 17.30-18.30

Join our Dorset Group for a teatime Zoom talk on bricks and mortar, led by historic building consultant, Kevin Stubbs. This is the first in a series of three online talks run by our Dorset Group.

Places are free but we welcome donations. We will be recording the talk.

Main themes:

• The history, care, and repair of historic brickwork
• Understanding historic mortars and the use of lime in conservation

The History of Brickmaking and Building in Brick

Bricks have been a principal building material in many parts of the country since the 16th century.  The history and development of brick buildings and brickmaking will be examined up to the middle of the 20th century when bricks ceased to be a mainly local vernacular material and became a mass-produced product by a few large international companies.

Interpreting Historic Brickwork

A selection of different types of bricks from different periods will be discussed, paying particular attention to how they were made and fired and how this affected their durability and character. Looking closely at historic brickwork can give clues as to how the bricks were manufactured and laid and what alterations the building has gone through since its original construction.  This process can be likened to reading a detective story: the clues are there, they just need interpreting by the observer, thus enabling a correct and aesthetically pleasing repair/restoration to be achieved.

Care And Repair of Historic Masonry structures and Selection of Mortars

The first important stage of this process is to identify the sources which have caused the problems of decay to occur; these must be resolved before the brickwork can be repaired.  It is also important to understand the nature and function of historic mortars and the dangers of the use of modern cementitious products.  The use of inappropriate mortars can result in the rapid deterioration of historic masonry and long-term structural problems. The problems of water movement, salts, frost and the cleaning of brickwork will be examined.  The methods of re-pointing will also be considered, not only for aesthetic reasons, but to ensure the correct performance and durability of the new joint.

Please note: this is a virtual talk and will be held on Zoom

About the speaker: Kevin Stubbs BA (HonsArch). DipBldgCons (AA). IHBC. CertEd.

Kevin Stubbs is a Historic Buildings Consultant and comes with qualifications in education, archaeology and building conservation. In his early life he was director of an Archaeological field unit. For many years he was Principal Historic Buildings Conservation Officer for Hampshire County Council, later acted as the Director of a Museum & Building Conservation Centre in Hampshire and since 2007 has run his own Historic Building Consultancy.

He advises on the repair and maintenance of historic structures and provides training at all levels for the building conservation industry. Since 1977 he has been an advisor to a very active local Buildings Preservation Trust. He undertakes the Historic Analysis of buildings and produces: Statements of Significance; Method Statements; Impact Assessments and Specifications for the repair and conservation of traditional buildings and undertakes project management.

Since 1972 he has lectured on various aspects of the historic environment & for the last 30 years for various CPD providers, Universities and national building conservation organizations including RICS, IHBC, CPD Essentials and the Weald and Downland Museum

Multiple bookings
As long as there is space on the event, we usually allow you to book for both yourself and a guest. When completing the booking form, you will be asked to select the number of people and put in your own details on the first page, then to put in your second person's details on the next page. The event fee shown on each of these pages is for the individual person - you will be shown the total amount due once you get to the summary page.

About the Dorset Regional Group
The Dorset Group was formed in 2009 by Jessica Sutcliffe, who continued to organise events and visits for local members for many years. Jessica has now taken a step back and a new committee has formed to take the group forward, chaired by Anton Fraser.

Booking Terms & Conditions

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