A fully immersive and practical residential course, presented by 20 different countrywide experts in a wide variety of fields. With ample opportunity for discussion and questions, as well as 'hands on’ sessions, The Building Conservation Summer School is the most comprehensive course on offer for anyone seeking a career in the the repair of old buildings.
The full course provides 47 hours formal CPD.
Introduction
This course runs over four and a half days at the Royal Agricultural University in Cirencester. Previously organised by RICS, it is now a Not-For-Profit joint venture by three of the most experienced conservation focussed Chartered Building Surveyors in the country - Marianne Suhr, Stephen Boniface and Duncan Philips.
The course is aimed at early career professionals who would like to get a comprehensive understanding of all aspects of building conservation from a large number of leading experts in one place at one time. It will also be of interest to those who wish to gain additional building conservation knowledge to enhance their career and general understanding of the subject. It is particularly suitable for students, Building Surveyors, Structural Engineers, Conservation Officers, Architects, building contractors and related conservation trades.
New for 2022 - 'CONSERVATION STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING’ - this year we are delighted to be joining forces with CARE (Conservation Accreditation Register of Engineers) to deliver a day of lectures by specialist engineers covering a range of topical subjects relating to structural defects in historic buildings. This day can be booked separately as a stand alone event, or taken as an option instead of the Lime Practical Day for those on the full residential package. Whilst it is aimed at engineers, the programme will be of interest to all building professionals who seek a better understanding of the issues. We also welcome engineers who wish to join the Monday or Tuesday programmes.
The full residential package includes: 4 nights 'student' ensuite accommodation on campus (Sun, Mon, Tues, Weds). Dinner on Sun, breakfast, lunch and dinner on Mon, Tues and Weds, breakfast and packed lunch on Thursday. Refreshments during the breaks. It also includes evening lectures, town walk and a very special drinks gathering with open access at a unique building in Cirencester. Those opting for the residential package will have a chance to mingle with speakers and delegates during the relaxed evening sessions in the student bar.
Note: Only 40 places are available for the full residential package: book early to avoid disappointment..!
Single study days are also available: Refreshments during the breaks and lunch is provided. Dinner and evening events are not included.
Covid-19 Refund Policy - We will be monitoring the situation and government restrictions closely. If the covid-19 restrictions are still in place in June 2022 and the event needs to be cancelled we will offer either a full refund or the option to defer your place to 2023. This decision will be made ahead of time and we reserve the right to vary this policy should anything happen at short notice and outside of our control.
General Refund Policy - If for any reason you need to cancel your booking, we will provide a full refund up to Tuesday 4th May 2022. After this date will be not be able to provide a refund but we can defer your place to the 2023 Summer School.
Programme
Sunday 12th June - Repair of Old Buildings - Setting the Scene
Chair: Marianne Suhr
15:00 Registration, tea/coffee
15:50 Welcome to the Building Conservation Summer School 2021
16:00 Historic Buildings and Vernacular Diversity
17:00 Refreshments
17:20 Building Defects and the Architectural Timeline
19:00 Dinner
20:00 Building Conservation - A Global Perspective
Monday 13th June - Introduction to Building Conservation - The Basics
08:30 Refreshments
08:45 Introduction to Surveying Historic Buildings
09:30 Building Conservation Philosophy
10:30 Refreshments
10:50 Solid Wall Construction and the need for Old Buildings to Breathe
11:45 Assessment of Moisture in Traditional Buildings
12:15 Timber Decay and Repair
13:00 Lunch
13:45 Planning and Legislation for Listed Buildings
14:30 Energy Retrofit for Older Buildings
15:45 Refreshments
16:00 Structural Diagnosis and Repair - Is that Crack Serious?
17:00 Controlling Costs for Conservation Projects
18:00 Close
Evening Session (for those on the residential package)
18:30 Evening meal
19:45 The Repair of a Cirencester Townhouse
Tuesday 14th June - Old Building Repair - Materials and Specification
08:30 Refreshments
08:50 Traditional Roof Coverings and Rainwater Disposal
10:00 Stone Damage - Selecting Options for Repair
11:15 Refreshments
11:45 Introduction to Historic Timber-framed Buildings
12:45 Lunch - with optional handmade brick demonstration and 'have a go' opportunity
13:45 Building in Brick
14:45 Plain Glass and Glazing
15:30 Refreshments
16:00 Introduction to Thatched Roofs
16:45 Earth Building
17:45 Questions
18:15 Close
Evening Session (for those on the residential package)
18:30 Evening meal
19:30 Back from the Brink - Repair of a Derelict Farmhouse
Wednesday 15th June - Option 1 - Understanding Lime and Practical Workshops
09:00 Drive to Rural Skills Centre, (own transport) - 5 minute drive
09:30 Demonstrations and workshops to include..:
10:30 Refreshments
10:45 Practical sessions..:
13:00 Lunch
13:45 Practical demonstration - Running a cornice in-situ
14:15 Mixing and applying a limewash
14:45 hydraulic lime explained - demonstration of mixing hydraulic lime
15:15 Refreshments
15:25 Plaster and Render Case Studies
16:30 Close
Evening Session (for those on the residential package)
17:30 Evening meal
18:45 Cirencester Town Walk, followed by drinks
Wednesday 15th June - Option 2 - Conservation Structural Engineering
08:30 Refreshments
08:50 Welcome
09:00 Why The Need for Conservation Engineers?
10:00 Scaffolding of Historic Structures
11:00 Refreshments
11:15 Loading and Historic Buildings ; The Use of Non-Invasive Assessment Techniques
12:30 Questions and Discussion
12:45 Lunch
13:45 Materials
14:45 Monitoring of Movement in Historic Buildings
15:45 Refreshments
16:00 Inspection and Survey of Historic Buildings
16:45 Questions and Discussion
17:00 Close
Thursday 16th June - Study Visit to Woodchester Mansion
08:45 Depart Royal Agricultural University
09:30 Meet at Woodchester Mansion Car Park
10:00 Tour of Woodchester Mansion, history and construction
11:30 Specification Workshop
13:30 Lunch (a packed lunch will be provided)
14:30 Review of Specification Workshop
15:00 Repairing Woodchester Mansion - A review of projects past and present
15:45 Historic Building Recording
16:30 Close and depart for home
Royal Agricultural University, GL7 6JS