Surveying Historic Buildings

This practical book offers a well structured guide to inspecting and reporting on the condition of older buildings, and takes into consideration the traditional materials and techniques used in their construction.

Part I summarizes the basics of surveying practice, including the inspection, assessment, defect diagnosis and monitoring of defects.

Part II examines the building elements, discussing the form of construction and their symptoms and diagnosis. This section provides specific advice on assessing industrial monuments and standing ruins, and features concise inspection checklists for ease of reference.

Contents:

Part One v Surveying buildings v Forms of building survey v Historic buildings v Building surveys I: basis of inspection v Building surveys II: the inspection v Building surveys III: assessment and report

Part Two v Causes of deterioration and decay v Building element I: roofs v Building element II: walls and structural frames v Building element III: ceilings, partitions and floors v Building element IV: doors, windows and stairs v Building element V: finishes, fixtures and fittings v Building element VI: services v Site and environment v Industrial monuments and sites v Standing ruins

Part Three v A look to the future v Appendices

The authors:

David Watt, a chartered building surveyor, formerly conservation officer with Norfolk County Council, is currently employed as Senior Research Fellow within the Department of Building Surveying at De Montfort University, Leicester.

Peter Swallow, a chartered building surveyor, holds the Chair in Building Surveying at De Montfort University and is currently Head of the Department of Building Surveying.

From the reviews:

An essential book for all conservation professionals and students alike.

RICS Building Conservation Journal

A valuable reference book for the experienced which should be compulsory reading for students on all historic building related courses.

SPAB News

This is a book which can be recommended without hesitation to anybody concerned with the management and understanding of the built environment...It should be compulsory reading for every chartered surveyor in professional practice but it deserves to reach a broader audience...an instant classic.

Industrial Archaeology Review

Donhead Publishing 2012