Plastic windows: spot the difference
Damage caused using hard cement mortar
Three top ways
to ruin a listed building
Felicity Fox
The UK’s rich architectural heritage attracts
millions of visitors every year, and historic
buildings are loved by their owners and
visitors alike. The appeal lies not only in the
sense of history they convey, but also in
their character and interest, and it is clear
that these buildings need to be preserved for
posterity.
Here are three of the best ways to ruin your
historic building.
1.
Employ consultants and contractors
who don’t specialise in historic building
work
Treating historic buildings as if they are
modern can cause all sorts of problems,
from damp and decay to collapsed roofs.
Common mistakes include using materials
that don’t breathe, like cement and masonry
paint in place of lime and limewash, and
adding insulation in a way that traps
damp. Few architects and surveyors have
any formal training in the conservation of
historic structures, and even if the work is
specified correctly, problems are likely to
arise unless the contractors too are skilled
16 - www.refurbandrestore.co.uk
in conservation. In the wrong hands, a tool
for cleaning masonry, for example, can
strip away all traces of historic patina and
character in an instant.
2.
Delay carrying out essential
maintenance work
In order to avoid huge repair bills and to
protect historic buildings, owners need to
clear gutters in the autumn; slipped tiles
and roofing slates need to be re-fixed,
flashings maintained, and chimneys pointed
and capped to prevent water entering the
building. Other sources of leaks include
plumbing, drainage and related fittings and
appliances such as washing machines and
shower basins. If left unchecked, moisture
spreads unseen through the building, often
causing decay far from the source.
3.
Change the building in a manner which
conflicts with its style
Badly designed extensions can dominate
the existing building by virtue of their size
or style, or a change in material or finish. In
some cases, it may be necessary to match
original materials and details exactly, but
in others the local authority’s conservation
officers may prefer to see new work which
respects the original without copying it,
so that it is possible to see clearly which
bits are historic and which are modern.
With each component that is replaced (or
‘restored’ by renewal), a building loses a little
of its originality. Taken individually, minor
changes may seem inconsequential, but over
time their accumulation can affect character
and significance dramatically, ultimately
calling into question the authenticity and
value of the building itself: is this an original
or a fake?
In addition to the irreversible harm caused
by ill-conceived alterations, owners and
developers need to be aware that making
changes to any part of a listed building,
inside or out, without the appropriate
consent is also illegal. Penalties include
fines and a criminal record, and the culprit
usually has to pay for further repairs to
reverse the effects. It makes sense to get
good advice from the start.
www.buildingconservation.com