Building Conservation Philosophy

We at HBC&R believe that good building conservation should be based upon a respect for the existing fabric of an historic building and its original construction methodology. Through making the least possible intervention we maintain the maximum of the cultural significance, the heritage value and importantly, its valuable aesthetic and historic appearance. The use of reversible processes allows us to create the widest options for future development or any future, unseen issues.

We feel that the building should be able to clearly tell its story, this means that replacement parts and repairs need to be visible, so as not to falsify its artistic or historic legacy. New work needn't be radically different, but rather maintain harmony while allowing the new work and the building to remain honest.

We feel it is important to diagnose the problems that have caused the deterioration of the building through a structural assessment and or condition report. For the most part, problems with historic buildings, and in particular, timber framed buildings, can be traced to decay due to the ingress of water or failure due to ill-judged alterations, interventions and the ill advised use of modern, impervious mortars and plastic paints. These must be addressed before or at the same time as the repairs are carried out, as unless these are resolved the problem will continue, even after repair.

Old buildings do not fail because they are old but because there is a failure to maintain and repair them, using appropriate materials and methodology. We thoroughly understand historic buildings and the way your old home was originally constructed to breath, so we only use specialist materials for our conservation work and we never use cement or recommend the use of plastic masonry paints or fillers.

We feel it is important not only to deal with each individual problem but to take a holistic approach to the building, not only in assessing the problems, but also when considering the remedies, for example; a timber member in need of repair, may be repaired using a suitable in-situ method if it is the only repair required, or, it may be dismantled and repaired using a different technique if the whole frame needs repairing.

Importantly no attempt should be made to conceal repair work, but it should harmonise with the original fabric.

As a company, we believe that it is vital, our nations important, heritage buildings, great and small. Are only cared for and repaired by genuine, fully qualified and time served specialists, who thoroughly understand their construction and history.

Our watch words are, timely intervention and minimal intervention. We repair only the fabric of your historic home that requires work and never replace unless it is strictly necessary.

Like our philosophy? Contact us now for a no obligation conversation about your historic building project.