Building Conservation Summer School 2021

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 2021 - '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 2021 and the event needs to be cancelled we will offer either a full refund or the option to defer your place to 2022.   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 2021.   After this date will be not be able to provide a refund but we can defer your place to the 2022 Summer School.

Programme

Sunday 20th 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 21st 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 22nd 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 23rd 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..:

• Health and Safety
• The lime cycle
• Looking at sands
• Understanding hydrated limes - wet and dry hydrates
• cold and hot mixing limes

10:30 Refreshments

10:45 Practical sessions..:

• Plastering
• Mixing lime mortars

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 23rd 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 24th 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