Surveying Historic Buildings 2nd Edition
This second edition brings up to date the book first published in 1996 and expands it from 300 to 416 pages, with new case studies, examples and illustrations.
The subject matter is obvious from the title, but this comprehensive book includes chapters aiding analysis, it goes beyond the mechanics of survey inspection and reporting, and tackles historic building survey practice in a holistic and methodical manner. The initial chapters set the scene, explaining the sheer diversity of types of surveys and equal variety of reasons for doing them. For example, the building survey is a prerequisite for a conservation repair project, or may be used as a basis for a planned maintenance programme or by purchasers and investors as part of their pre-acquisition investigations, or simply to investigate a specific defect. The book is an aid to appropriateness in survey methodology and judgment in compiling a clear report.
Chapter three is topical, considers historic buildings and sites discussing what actually makes a building or structure 'historic'. It is therefore relevant to those interested in assessing significance and intrinsic value for the recent Planning Policy Statement 5 (PPS5).
I'm always interested to learn how others undertake their inspections and Chapters 4 and 5 consider methodical approaches with many useful practical points obviously borne of experience. I liked the practical points relating to the order of inspection; I've often suffered with interruption by anxious occupants and could relate to the author's suggestion ‘time spent in the roof space at the start of an inspection is likely to deter all but the most inquisitive of occupants’.
Compiling reports receives equal methodical treatment with many useful points; I’ve seen many reports completed room-by-room, when organizing element-by-element would provide the client with a clearer picture. The book clarifies when each is appropriate and highlights for example the risk of repetition when using the former. There is also detailed consideration of appropriate repair and programme priorities which provides useful guidance.
Later chapters consider in detail the building elements, construction and finishes deterioration and decay discussing many typical common defects as an aid to analysis and diagnosis.
This book is both thorough and methodical throughout, well-written in an informative style with practical advice, properly referenced and clearly illustrated with photographs and drawings. It should be considered a standard text, essential reading for students of architecture and surveying, a suitably detailed reference work of interest to the experienced practitioner and ought to be compulsory reading for all students on building conservation courses.
