Research, Repairs and Restrictions at the Old House Project

Event details

Watch this recorded online talk to find out more about the SPAB’s Old House Project – an ambitious project to fully repair a Grade II* listed ‘building at risk’ and return it to use. 

Former St Andrews Chapel had stood empty for 50 years when we bought it in 2018. 

In this talk, Special Operations Manager Jonny Garlick and Director Matthew Slocombe explore how we made progress on the project during the height of the pandemic and overcame other early problems and restrictions.  

You’ll learn about the SPAB's approach to tackling the vital roof and chimney repairs to this unique building, as well as the structural stabilisation of the west wall. We also introduce the research applied by the project team to better understand local lime and ragstone, which was used in the early repairs to the site.

How does it work?  

This talk was recorded in June 2023. It is available for you to view now until the 31 December 2024. You will receive a booking confirmation email with a link and passcode to watch the recorded talk. Please check your junk mail if you don’t receive one.

Who is it for? 

This talk will be of interest to anyone with a love of old buildings - their history, renovation and future. If you are not able to visit the Old House Project in person, this illustrated talk will give you an introduction to the building and our repair project.

This talk covers:

• The SPAB Approach at the Old House Project.
• The project objective. 
• Condition surveys and investigation challenges. 
• Ecology and drainage strategy.
• New site access.
• Archaeology.
• Covid pandemic restrictions. 
• Historic roof repairs. 
• West wall structural issues and repairs.
• Lime kiln and chalk lime research.
• Masonry repairs. 
• Site acoustics and new design.  

Interested to know more?

There are two more recorded talks in our Old House Project collection, both available to watch on demand: 

• An Introduction to the Old House Project 
• Archaeology at the Old House Project

IT requirements 

To view this recorded talk you'll need internet connection and a computer, phone or device that can play video and audio. 

Speakers 

Matthew Slocombe, Director                                                                                                                               

Matthew was previously the SPAB's Head of Casework. He is a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries and a Council member of the Society of Architectural Historians of Great Britain. Published works include the Shire book of Traditional Building Materials. 

Jonathan Garlick, Special Operations Manager (Projects & Working Parties)                                                       

Jonny is a trained building surveyor and was a SPAB Scholar in 1996. He joined the staff in 2005 and has since overseen the SPAB's U-value and building performance research and is currently project managing our repair projects and British hydraulic lime research. 

Accessibility 

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: Old House Project roof tiles © Daniel Bridge.