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New Preface to the 2011 edition of

Surveying Historic Builldings

David Watt

The period since publication of Surveying Historic Buildings in 1996 has seen wide-ranging change in how we perceive and respond to our historic environment. Shifting attitudes to the role played by historic buildings and monuments in shaping our surroundings – and the values we place on their significance and contribution to communities – mean that today we are required to see the individual construction in a broader and more inclusive context. This has influenced the ways in which we might undertake a survey of such a building, and many of the changes in this new edition reflect differences of approach and output that have come about over the past decade.

Regardless of these changes, building surveys still require careful inspection, observation, analysis, understanding and communication in order to inform the decision-making process. Such information has to be accurate, relevant and timely, and take account of the particular needs or aspirations of the client.

The purpose of this book is therefore to consider the role of the building or condition survey in the management of the historic built environment, the information that is required, and how it is collected, presented and ultimately used.

This book describes the reasons why buildings are surveyed, discusses the factors that make historic buildings different from more modern constructions, and advises on how the surveyor prepares for, undertakes and reports on the condition of the building. It goes on to considers the various elements and service installations of a building in terms of their history, development and typical faults, and gives specific advice on assessing industrial monuments and standing ruins. While each chapter provides a summary of typical materials or methods of construction, it is not intended to give a detailed study of architectural history or decorative style. The reader is therefore directed to the bibliography for additional sources of information. It then concludes with a look to the future, and highlights issues of current and potential interest for those engaged with or responsible for the historic environment.

One cannot be overly prescriptive when dealing with historic buildings, as each is the product of often innumerable actions over time, yet lessons can be learnt from past and current practices. Case studies covering a variety of surveys and building types have been introduced throughout the book as a means of illustrating common and not-so-common issues. The following individuals or organizations are acknowledged and thanked for their permission to use information from reports and other sources for these studies:

Austin-Smith:Lord LLP

Christian Endeavour Holiday Centres Limited

Corinne and Matt Clare

Derbyshire County Council

Happisburgh Lighthouse Trust

Hd1 Development Limited

John Norton

LHC Urban Design Limited

Lynne Clowe and Iain Urquhart

Norfolk County Council

Norfolk Windmills Trust

Rosemullion Homes

Stoke-on-Trent City Council

The Churches Conservation Trust

Ward Homes Limited

Gratitude is also given to the various owners and organizations for allowing use of photographs, drawings and published material in this book. Unless otherwise indicated, all photographs are by the author.

David Watt

Lincolnshire

April 2010

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