Treating Heritage With Respect
Heritage restoration and renovation work is most commonly undertaken on historic buildings, accurately recreating or preserving their form, features and character as they appeared at a particular time, while protecting their heritage value.
The distinction between restoration and repair can sometimes become blurred when architectural details or elements that are important to the character and appearance of a building become eroded or damaged.
Buildings inevitably decay over time and will need repair; these projects require a high level of experience and knowledge to return a building to its former state. Historic England defines this state as being ‘…a known earlier state, based on compelling evidence, without conjecture.’
Paintwork and renderings can degrade due to air pollution and UV radiation. Historic paint analysis of old paint layers can determine the original pigmentation and enable a chemical recipe to be reproduced. It is important to ensure that the materials used are compatible to avoid potentially harming the existing historic fabric and speeding up deterioration.
Our approach focuses on key areas, such as the extent of work needed, highlighting implications of work in terms of ongoing maintenance requirements, approval of restoration techniques and materials, ensuring the works respect the previous forms of the building or the effect of restoration work on the overall heritage value of the building.
We can provide a variation of expertise and works that include project management. investigations into causes and materials composition, re-grouting, rebuilding and reinforcement of masonry with steel bars. strengthening of foundations and the application of traditional and modern methods.
Selecting the most appropriate materials for restoration works require expertise, and sometimes a considerable investigation is needed. The use of authentic traditional materials helps to retain the character of historic buildings and in turn, supports traditional industries and vital craft skills.
In some cases, alternative materials may be appropriate, especially if they allow more of the original building fabric to be conserved, but only if they have been tried and tested for use on historic buildings. Materials must be compatible with the existing building in terms of chemical, mineralogical, physical and mechanical and be aesthetically accurate. Other points to consider are strength, stiffness, bonding, thermal expansion, permeability, and problems such as efflorescence.
Here at BHR, we offer the experience and knowledge to be able to deliver a project from inception and design through to completion and handover. No
Reviving Historic Buildings With Love and Respect
Heritage restoration and renovation work comes with its own very particular set of challenges. Quite obviously you’re working on historic – for which read ‘much older’ – buildings, and for the most part accurately recreating or preserving their form, features and character.
Where possible, you’ll be looking to restore the building to its earliest possible incarnation. To take it as close as you can to its original state, and protect its heritage value, whilst making it a usable space for the 21st century.
After all, old barns, didn’t generally come fitted with kitchens and bathrooms. And 18th century buildings weren’t wired for electricity or plumbed for central heating.
So there’s a delicate balance to be found. Your dream office space or home, versus planning rules and care for the structure
Restoration, Renovation, or Repair?
The distinction between restoration, renovation and repair can sometimes become blurred, especially when considerable damage has accrued to a building over the centuries.
When you’re looking to turn a heritage building into your home or workspace, there can be a considerable amount of red tape to deal with. The institutions that are charged with ensuring the historical integrity of such monuments to our past take their roles very seriously.
It’s critical to have an understanding of how to treat and repair architectural details or elements which are important to the character and appearance of a building.
After all, buildings inevitably decay over time and will need fixing; these projects require a high level of experience and knowledge to return a building to its former glory. Historic England defines this as being ‘…a known earlier state, based on compelling evidence, without conjecture.’
So research and expertise are crucial – there can be no guesswork or ‘good enough’. You have to get it right.
How Do Historic Buildings Deteriorate?
Modern air pollution and UV radiation do paintwork and renderings on historic buildings no favours. They degrade and fade under the onslaught of chemicals in the atmosphere.
How can we put this right? Historic paint analysis of old paint layers can determine the original pigmentation. Once that’s known, specialist paint manufacturers can create the right chemical recipe to reproduce the original paint shade exactly.
Paint, fabric, or masonry, it is important to ensure that the materials used are compatible with the existing materials to avoid potential harm.
What’s Our Approach?
We focus on these key areas on a restoration or renovation:
- The extent of work needed, and applicable regulations and restrictions
- Highlighting implications of work in terms of ongoing maintenance requirements
- Approval of restoration techniques and materials
- Ensuring the works respect the previous forms of the building
- The effect of restoration work on the overall heritage value of the building.
We can help with project management, investigations into causes of deterioration, and materials composition. Our work on your building will likely start with an inspection and strengthening of foundations and a survey of all other works required.
Selecting the most appropriate materials for restoration works require expertise, and considerable investigation can be needed. The use of authentic traditional materials helps to retain the character of historic buildings. Importantly, it also supports traditional industries and helps keep vital craft skills alive.
In some cases, alternative materials may be appropriate, especially if they allow more of the original building fabric to be conserved. However, they will need to have been tried and tested for use on historic buildings. Materials must be compatible with the existing building in terms of chemical, mineralogical, physical and mechanical and be aesthetically accurate. There’s a lot to think about, beyond restoring the aesthetic appeal.
Here at BHR, we offer the experience and knowledge to be able to deliver a restoration, renovation or remodelling project from inception and design through to completion and handover. No matter your requirements, we can renovate or convert your heritage building and bring it forward in time whilst respecting its origins.
Do you have a restoration or renovation project you need help with? Call us to discuss what we can help you achieve.
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